General Beef and Vegetable Skillet with Garlic and Thyme

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-02 · Updated 2026-05-02

A one-pan skillet dish featuring browned ground beef sautéed with fresh garlic, thyme, and a colorful mix of vegetables for a balanced, savory meal. This beef recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs ground beef (80% lean), olive oil, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef (80% lean)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 1 medium zucchini, diced
• 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp worcestershire sauce
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 medium diced yellow onion, sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and onion is soft.
2. Step 2: Add 1 lb ground beef to the skillet. Use a wooden spoon to break it into small pieces, cooking for 6-8 minutes until browned and no longer pink.
3. Step 3: Stir in 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, 1 medium diced zucchini, and 1 medium diced red bell pepper. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender but still retain some bite.
4. Step 4: Season the mixture with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce. Stir well and cook for another 2 minutes to meld flavors.
5. Step 5: Remove from heat and sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving to add a fresh herbal note.