Ground Beef And Vegetable Skillet

If you’re hunting for a hearty, colorful, and flavor-packed dinner that comes together quickly with minimal cleanup, this Ground Beef & Vegetable Skillet is your dream dish. Loaded with lean protein, vibrant vegetables, and pantry staples, this one-pan meal is wholesome, satisfying, and completely customizable. It’s perfect for families, weeknight dinners, or even weekly meal prep.

Whether you’re trying to sneak more veggies into your diet or just looking to use up that pound of ground beef in the fridge, this recipe is your answer. It’s savory, simple, and cooked in a single skillet—what’s not to love?

🥩 Why This Recipe Works

This dish isn’t just easy—it’s incredibly flexible and deeply flavorful.

Balanced and nutritious: You get protein from the beef, fiber and vitamins from all the veggies, and a well-rounded meal in one pan.

Flavorful base: Garlic, onions, and tomato paste create a rich, savory backdrop enhanced with paprika and thyme.

One-pan convenience: Less cleanup, more flavor development, and faster cooking.

Customizable: Add what you love, skip what you don’t. Don’t like zucchini? Use mushrooms instead. No green beans? Try peas!

It’s the kind of back-pocket recipe that adapts to your fridge and pantry contents—and it still comes out delicious every time.

🛒 What You’ll Need

Here’s everything you need for your Ground Beef & Vegetable Skillet:

Main Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef: Use lean or regular beef. If using lean, you may want to add a touch of olive oil to keep it juicy.

Olive oil: Optional, if your beef is already fatty enough.

1 medium onion: Diced, for sweetness and depth.

2 garlic cloves: Minced, for rich aroma and flavor.

2 medium carrots: Peeled and diced for a slight sweetness and crunch.

1 zucchini: Diced for freshness and bulk.

1 red bell pepper: Adds vibrant color and subtle sweetness.

1 cup green beans: Fresh or frozen work well.

1 cup corn kernels: Sweet and colorful; use fresh, frozen, or canned.

1 cup canned diced tomatoes (with juice): These bring moisture and acidity.

1 tablespoon tomato paste: Adds umami and deepens the flavor.

1 teaspoon paprika: Smoky and earthy.

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme: Brings a warm, herbaceous note.

Salt & black pepper: To taste.

1/4 cup water or beef broth (optional): Keeps the mixture from drying out during simmering.

Fresh parsley (optional): For garnish and a fresh finishing touch.

🍳 How To Make It Step-by-Step

1. Brown the Beef

In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef. Break it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks, and brown it thoroughly. If you’re using very lean beef, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil before adding the meat to prevent sticking and enhance richness. Once fully cooked, drain any excess fat.

2. Sauté Aromatics

Add diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Cook for 2–3 minutes until the onions are soft and fragrant. This step infuses the meat with savory depth right away.

3. Add the Vegetables

Now, toss in the diced carrots, zucchini, red bell pepper, green beans, and corn. Stir to combine, and cook for 5–7 minutes. The vegetables will start to soften while absorbing the savory juices.

4. Boost the Flavor

Add in the canned diced tomatoes (with their juice), tomato paste, paprika, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir thoroughly to ensure everything is evenly coated in the seasoning blend. If the mixture seems a little dry at this stage, add 1/4 cup of water or beef broth.

5. Simmer to Perfection

Turn the heat to low and cover the skillet. Let everything simmer for about 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally. This lets the flavors marry while the vegetables become tender.

6. Garnish and Serve

Before serving, give the dish a final taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley for a bright, herbaceous finish.

🧠 Tips + Tricks for Recipe Success

Use what you have: Swap zucchini for mushrooms, green beans for peas, or bell pepper for celery. The dish is forgiving!

For extra flavor: Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce or a dash of soy sauce when adding the tomato paste.

Make it spicy: Toss in a pinch of red pepper flakes or chopped jalapeño for a little heat.

Meal prep tip: This dish keeps well in the fridge for up to 4 days. Perfect for lunches!

Make it cheesy: Sprinkle some shredded cheddar or mozzarella on top just before serving.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

This hearty dish can stand on its own, but it’s also super versatile when it comes to sides and serving styles. Try it:

Over rice or quinoa for a filling, grain-based meal.

With crusty bread to soak up all the savory juices.

In a tortilla for an easy wrap or taco-style dinner.

With mashed potatoes for ultimate comfort food vibes.

As a baked topping: Add to a casserole dish, sprinkle with cheese, and bake for 10 minutes for a bubbly finish.

🕒 Timing and Storage

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Freeze for up to 2 months.

To reheat, simply warm in a skillet or microwave with a splash of water or broth to loosen it up.

💬 Why Everyone Loves This Dish

What makes this Ground Beef & Vegetable Skillet so popular is its balance of comfort and nutrition. It’s colorful, packed with wholesome ingredients, and deeply satisfying. Families love it, picky eaters can customize it, and busy cooks can whip it up on a whim.

The fact that it all comes together in one skillet makes it even more appealing—less cleanup and more flavor. Plus, it’s easy to scale up or down, depending on how many mouths you’re feeding.

🌿 Make It Your Own

Looking to make it vegetarian? Swap the beef for plant-based crumbles, cooked lentils, or even canned chickpeas.

Want more protein? Stir in cooked quinoa or a can of drained beans toward the end of cooking.

Need a kid-friendly version? Skip the green beans and add a little shredded cheese on top!

This dish is endlessly adaptable, which is exactly what makes it such a treasure in any home cook’s recipe rotation.

🧡 Final Thoughts

The Ground Beef & Vegetable Skillet is one of those down-to-earth meals that you’ll find yourself returning to week after week. It’s flavorful, easy, full of nourishing ingredients, and—most importantly—everyone at the table will want seconds.

So the next time you’re staring at that pound of ground beef and wondering what to do with it, remember this recipe. Grab your skillet, chop up those veggies, and get ready for a “crazy good” dinner that checks all the boxes.

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