Hearty One-Pan Beef Skillet (Printer-friendly)
A savory skillet combining tender beef, vibrant vegetables, and bold spices for a satisfying dinner.
# 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 - 1 can (14.5 oz) 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, to taste
→ Finishing
15 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
16 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped (optional)
# Method:
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 necessary.
02 - Add diced onion, red bell pepper, and zucchini to the skillet. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until vegetables start to soften.
03 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Add frozen corn, diced tomatoes with juice, beef broth, cooked rice, paprika, cumin, oregano, black pepper, and salt. Stir well to combine.
05 - Lower heat to medium, cover the skillet, and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until vegetables are tender and flavors meld.
06 - Remove the cover and evenly sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top. Cover again and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until cheese melts.
07 - Remove from heat. Garnish with chopped parsley or cilantro if desired and serve immediately while hot.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Everything cooks in one skillet, which means fewer dishes and more time to actually relax after dinner.
- It comes together in under 40 minutes, making it your new best friend on nights when life gets hectic.
- Ground beef stretches further when mixed with vegetables and rice, feeding four people without feeling heavy or one-note.
02 -
- Don't skip draining the beef if there's visible fat—excess grease makes the final dish feel heavy rather than satisfying.
- The secret to this dish tasting complex is letting it actually simmer for those full ten minutes instead of rushing; the flavors genuinely do meld and become better integrated.
03 -
- Use 85% lean ground beef instead of extra lean because the fat carries flavor and keeps the final dish from tasting dry.
- Shred your own cheddar from a block rather than using pre-shredded cheese, which has anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting as smoothly and gorgeously.