Let’s be honest, figuring out what to make for dinner every single night can feel like a huge chore. You want something delicious and satisfying, but you don’t always have hours to spend in the kitchen. That’s where this recipe comes in to save the day.
This skillet is one of my favorite ground beef recipes for dinner because it is so simple and full of flavor. It’s a complete meal all cooked in one pan, which means less cleanup for you. What’s not to love about that?
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
First off, this dish is incredibly easy to make. Even if you are a total beginner in the kitchen, you can handle this. It’s one of those amazing easy meals with ground beef that you can rely on when you need something fast.
Everything cooks together in a single skillet. That means all the flavors get to mingle and create something truly special. Plus, as I said, fewer dishes to wash is always a win in my book. It’s one of the best quick dinner ideas you can find.
It’s also a fantastic choice for anyone on a budget. Ground beef is often affordable, and the rest of the ingredients are simple pantry staples. This makes it one of the best cheap dinners for a family that still feels hearty and filling.
And the best part? It’s totally customizable. You can swap out vegetables based on what you have in your fridge or what your family loves. It’s a forgiving recipe that always turns out great. It’s a superstar among ground beef recipes for dinner.
Ingredients
Here is what you will need to gather to create this amazing meal. The list is simple and uses a lot of common items you might already have on hand. This is one of the easiest ground beef recipes for dinner.
- 2 teaspoons oil, like avocado oil or vegetable oil
- 1 pound 93% lean ground beef or turkey
- ½ cup diced yellow onion
- ½ cup diced red bell pepper
- 1 zucchini, chopped
- 1 cup frozen yellow corn
- 15 ounce can reduced sodium black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon kosher or sea salt, or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- freshly ground pepper to taste
- 8 ounce can tomato sauce
- ¼ cup water
- 1 cup shredded cheese, like cheddar and Pepper Jack
- 2 tablespoons green onions, thinly sliced
For toppings, feel free to get creative! We love adding light sour cream, avocado, diced tomatoes, cilantro, a little hot sauce like Cholula, and some crunchy tortilla chips for scooping.
Step By Step Instructions
Ready to get cooking? Following these simple steps will give you a delicious skillet dinner in no time. This is one of the most straightforward dinner ideas with ground beef.
Step 1: Cook The Ground Beef
Start by heating one teaspoon of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add your ground beef or turkey to the pan. Cook it for about five minutes, breaking it up with a spoon, until it’s no longer pink.
Once it’s cooked, make sure to drain any excess fat. This keeps the dish from becoming greasy. Then, just transfer the cooked meat to a separate plate and set it aside for a moment.
Step 2: Sauté The Vegetables
Add the last teaspoon of oil to that same skillet. Toss in your diced onion and red bell pepper. Let them cook for three to four minutes until they start to get soft and fragrant. Your kitchen will smell amazing.
Next, add the frozen corn and chopped zucchini. You do not need to thaw the corn beforehand. Cook everything together, stirring occasionally, for another three or four minutes until the zucchini is tender.
Now, turn the heat down to low and add the rinsed and drained black beans to the pan. We are building layers of flavor here for one of the best ground beef recipes for dinner.
Step 3: Combine And Season
Return the cooked ground beef to the skillet. Don’t stir it in just yet. Instead, sprinkle all of your wonderful seasonings right on top of the meat. Add the chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, oregano, paprika, salt, and peppers.
Now you can stir everything together to combine it all. Pour in the tomato sauce and a little water. Continue stirring and cooking for a minute or two until everything is heated through and well mixed.
Step 4: Melt The Cheese And Serve
This is the best part. Sprinkle your shredded cheese evenly over the top of the entire mixture. Put a lid on your skillet and let it cook just long enough for the cheese to get beautifully melted and gooey.
Remove the pan from the heat and let it sit, covered, until you are ready to serve. Just before you bring it to the table, sprinkle the fresh green onions over the top. Spoon it into bowls and let everyone add their favorite toppings!
How To Store Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers, you are in luck. This dish is fantastic the next day. It is one of those easy meals with ground beef that makes for great meal prep for the week.
Simply transfer the cooled leftovers to an airtight container. You can store it in the refrigerator for up to three or four days. The flavors actually get even better as they sit overnight.
When you are ready to eat, you can reheat it gently in the microwave or in a small pot on the stove over low heat. It’s a wonderful and quick lunch option. A truly versatile choice for ground beef recipes for dinner.
Tips
Want to make this dish your own? Here are a few tips and tricks. These are great dinner ideas with ground beef because they are so easy to adapt.
Feel free to switch up the vegetables. This recipe is a great way to use up any veggies you have in the crisper drawer. Diced carrots, mushrooms, or even some spinach would be delicious additions.
You can easily adjust the spice level. If you are cooking for kids or just prefer less heat, you can reduce or omit the crushed red pepper flakes. If you love spicy food, feel free to add a little extra or some diced jalapeño.
Think about how you want to serve it. While it’s a great meal on its own, you can also serve it over a bed of rice or quinoa. It’s also amazing used as a filling for tacos or burritos. This makes it one of the most flexible ground beef recipes for dinner.
As the recipe notes, both lean ground beef and ground turkey work well here. Using 93% lean meat keeps the dish from being too greasy but still provides plenty of flavor. When you look for quick dinner ideas, versatility is key.
Remember to rinse your canned beans. This simple step can significantly reduce the sodium content of the dish, making it a healthier choice for your family. This is important for cheap dinners for a family, as canned goods are a staple.
Conclusion
So there you have it. A simple, flavorful, and satisfying one pan meal that is sure to become a new family favorite. This is truly one of the best ground beef recipes for dinner when you need something quick and delicious.
It covers all the bases. It is easy, it is budget friendly, and it is packed with good stuff. The next time you are stumped for dinner, I hope you give this amazing skillet meal a try. Enjoy!
FAQ
Can I Use Different Vegetables?
Absolutely! This is one of the most flexible ground beef recipes for dinner. You can easily substitute other vegetables like mushrooms, carrots, peas, or spinach. It is a great way to use whatever you have available.
Is This Recipe Gluten Free?
Yes, the main skillet dish is naturally gluten free. Just be sure to check the labels on your spices and tomato sauce to be safe. For serving, pair it with gluten free sides like rice, quinoa, or corn tortilla chips.
How Can I Make This Dish Spicier?
If you like more heat, you have a few options. You can increase the amount of crushed red pepper flakes, add a pinch of cayenne pepper with the other spices, or sauté some diced jalapeño along with the onion and bell pepper.
Can I Freeze The Leftovers?
Yes, this dish freezes very well. Allow it to cool completely before transferring it to a freezer safe airtight container. It can be frozen for up to three months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Hearty One-Pan Ground Beef & Veggie Skillet
This hearty one-pan ground beef and veggie skillet is a simple, flavorful, and satisfying meal. It’s quick to make, budget-friendly, and perfect for easy weeknight dinners with minimal cleanup.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- Start by heating one teaspoon of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add your ground beef or turkey to the pan. Cook it for about five minutes, breaking it up with a spoon, until it’s no longer pink. Once it’s cooked, make sure to drain any excess fat. Then, just transfer the cooked meat to a separate plate and set it aside for a moment.
- Add the last teaspoon of oil to that same skillet. Toss in your diced onion and red bell pepper. Let them cook for three to four minutes until they start to get soft and fragrant. Next, add the frozen corn and chopped zucchini. Cook everything together, stirring occasionally, for another three or four minutes until the zucchini is tender. Now, turn the heat down to low and add the rinsed and drained black beans to the pan.
- Return the cooked ground beef to the skillet. Sprinkle all of your wonderful seasonings right on top of the meat: chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, oregano, paprika, salt, and peppers. Now you can stir everything together to combine it all. Pour in the tomato sauce and a little water. Continue stirring and cooking for a minute or two until everything is heated through and well mixed.
- Sprinkle your shredded cheese evenly over the top of the entire mixture. Put a lid on your skillet and let it cook just long enough for the cheese to get beautifully melted and gooey. Remove the pan from the heat and let it sit, covered, until you are ready to serve. Just before you bring it to the table, sprinkle the fresh green onions over the top. Spoon it into bowls and let everyone add their favorite toppings!
Notes
Feel free to switch up the vegetables based on what you have on hand, such as carrots, mushrooms, or spinach.
Adjust the spice level by reducing or omitting crushed red pepper flakes for less heat, or adding extra for more spice.
This versatile dish can be served over rice or quinoa, or used as a delicious filling for tacos or burritos.
Using 93% lean ground beef or turkey helps keep the dish flavorful without being too greasy.
Rinse canned black beans thoroughly to reduce sodium content.
Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. It also freezes well for up to three months.
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