Hearty Beef Skillet Dinner (Printable)
A flavorful skillet with ground beef, fresh vegetables, and spices ready in just 35 minutes.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Meat
01 - 1 lb ground beef (85% lean)
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 medium onion, diced
03 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
04 - 1 zucchini, diced
05 - 1 cup frozen corn kernels
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Pantry
07 - 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes, undrained
08 - 1/2 cup beef broth
09 - 1 cup cooked rice (white or brown)
→ Spices & Seasonings
10 - 1 tsp paprika
11 - 1/2 tsp ground cumin
12 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
13 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
14 - 3/4 tsp salt, or to taste
→ Finishing
15 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
16 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped (optional)
# How To Make It:
01 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and break it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and fully cooked, about 5 to 6 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
02 - Add diced onion, red bell pepper, and zucchini to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables begin to soften, about 3 to 4 minutes.
03 - Stir in minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Add frozen corn, diced tomatoes with their juice, beef broth, cooked rice, paprika, ground cumin, oregano, black pepper, and salt. Stir thoroughly to blend flavors.
05 - Reduce heat to medium, cover skillet, and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until vegetables are tender and flavors meld.
06 - Remove the lid and sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the skillet contents. Cover again and allow cheese to melt for 2 to 3 minutes.
07 - Remove from heat, garnish with chopped parsley or cilantro if desired, and serve immediately while hot.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Everything cooks in one pan, which means less cleanup and more time doing literally anything else.
- The flavor builds as you cook, each layer of spices and vegetables creating something satisfying that tastes like you tried harder than you actually did.
- It's flexible enough to pivot based on what's in your kitchen, so you never feel locked into a single version.
02 -
- Don't skip the browning step—rushing through it means the beef stays pale and the skillet misses its flavor foundation.
- The cheese will only melt properly if the pan is still hot when you add it; if you've let it sit too long, it'll stay scattered and grainy instead of creamy.
- Taste before serving and adjust your salt; canned broth is often saltier than you expect, so you might need less than the recipe calls for.
03 -
- Keep the lid on for most of the cooking so the vegetables steam-tender rather than dry out, but uncover for the last few minutes to let any excess liquid reduce.
- If your skillet doesn't have a lid, cover it with foil—it traps heat just as well and costs nothing.