5 14 Published Nov 14, 2023, Updated Feb 12, 2024 It combines ground beef, fresh veggies and Southwestern spices for a flavor-packed meal that the whole family is guaranteed to love.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
One pan – This dish comes together in one pan. Yay for minimal dishes! Easy to make – From start to finish this recipe comes together in under 30 minutes, making it a great quick and easy weeknight dinner option. Veggie-packed and flavorful – It’s made with lean grass-fed ground beef and veggies and is packed with tons of flavor thanks to the Southwestern spices.
Here’s What You’ll Need
olive oil – to sauté the veggies. Avocado oil is a great substitute. vegetables – yellow onion, garlic, red bell pepper and zucchini. lean grass-fed ground beef – ideally you want to look for lean grass-fed ground beef, as this will contain more nutrients than grain-fed beef. I buy Nature’s Rancher 85/15 organic grass-fed beef. Studies have found that grass-fed beef contains two to six times more omega-3 fatty acids than feed-lot beef. seasonings and spices – chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper soy sauce or tamari – just a splash for a savory, umami flavor. fire roasted tomatoes – the main liquid in this recipe that the veggies and beef simmer in. I prefer fire roasted tomatoes for added flavor, but feel free to use regular diced tomatoes. sharp cheddar cheese – for topping. I recommend freshly grated cheddar cheese vs. pre-shredded cheese as that’ll have caking agents in it. cilantro – I love topping my dishes with fresh herbs and cilantro is the perfect pairing for this beef skillet.
How to Make
Step 1: Preheat your oven to broil. In a large oven-safe skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Step 2: Sauté diced onion until fragrant, then add garlic and sauté for another minute. Step 3: Add zucchini and bell pepper with a bit of salt, and cook until the vegetables are tender. Step 4: Stir in ground beef and seasonings. Cook until the beef is thoroughly cooked, breaking it into pieces. Step 5: Mix in tamari and fire-roasted tomatoes and simmer to slightly thicken the sauce. Step 6: Top with cheddar cheese and broil in the oven for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving, topped with cilantro.
Substitutions & Notes
Veggies: Feel free to customize this dish and swap out the veggies for whatever you have on hand. Just be mindful that you’ll want veggies that cook up at the same speed otherwise some veggies will get too soft. Some ideas: cauliflower, mushrooms, spinach, kale, yellow squash, broccoli, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, etc. Beef: If you’re not a beef eater, ground turkey or chicken will both work as a substitute. Cheese: Any meltable cheese like Monterey Jack, Colby or a Mexican blend can be used in place of sharp cheddar. Vegetarian: Skip the meat and use lentils, black beans or tofu instead!
How to Serve Ground Beef Skillet
Over grains – I prefer to serve this dish over brown rice or cauliflower rice for more volume, but quinoa or white rice would both be good options. With bread – this skillet would be delicious served alongside these pumpkin cornbread muffins or this vegan cornbread. It’s also delicious served with crusty bread (like sourdough bread). Alongside a salad – add some fresh veggies with a side salad. I have a ton of salad recipes to choose from, but something light and fresh like this garlicky kale salad or spinach salad would be perfect.
How to Store Leftovers
Refrigerate: Allow the skillet to cool completely to avoid condensation which can make things soggy. Transfer the cooled skillet contents into an airtight container. It’ll stay fresh in the fridge for 3-4 days. Freeze: If you want to extend its shelf life, you can freeze the skillet meal. Just hold off on the cheese if you know you’ll be freezing it. It’ll freeze well for up to 2-3 months. Reheat: Warm it up in the microwave or back in a skillet over medium heat. If it’s frozen, let it thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating. Tip! If you froze it without cheese, add a fresh sprinkle of cheese while reheating to revive that just-broiled taste.
More One Pan Recipes to Try
One Pot Stuffed Pepper Casserole One Pan Roasted Chicken with Butternut Squash and Brussels Sprouts Asian Chicken Sheet Pan Meal Lemon Garlic Chicken Sheet Pan Meal One Pot Vegan Mushroom Stroganoff Tamari Ground Turkey Skillet
Be sure to check out more 30-minute meals as well as the full collection of dinner recipes on EBF!
