Hearty One-Pan Beef Meal (Printable Version)
Tender beef combined with vibrant vegetables and spices in a quick, one-pan skillet meal.
# What You 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, or to taste
→ Finishing
15 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
16 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped (optional)
# Directions:
01 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high. Cook ground beef, breaking up with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked, 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 soften, about 3 to 4 minutes.
03 - Stir in minced garlic and cook until fragrant, approximately 30 seconds.
04 - Incorporate corn, diced tomatoes with their juice, beef broth, cooked rice, paprika, cumin, oregano, black pepper, and salt. Stir thoroughly to combine.
05 - Reduce heat to medium, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender and flavors meld.
06 - Uncover and evenly sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the skillet contents. Cover again and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until cheese is melted.
07 - Remove from heat. Optionally garnish with chopped parsley or cilantro. Serve hot.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It's genuinely done in 35 minutes from start to finish, no shortcuts needed.
- One skillet means less cleanup, which is always a win on busy weeknights.
- The melted cheddar on top makes it feel indulgent even though it's completely straightforward.
02 -
- Don't skip draining the excess fat after browning the meat, it keeps the whole dish from becoming heavy.
- The rice needs to be already cooked before it goes in, raw rice will stay crunchy no matter how long you simmer it.
03 -
- Use beef broth that's not too salty on its own, the seasonings will balance it perfectly.
- Don't crowd the skillet when you first add the beef, let it brown instead of steaming, that's where the real flavor comes from.