One-Pan Cheesy Beef and Vegetable Skillet
A quick skillet dinner combining ground beef, sweet corn, peas, and melted cheddar cheese for a comforting family meal kids will enjoy. This american-inspired kid friendly ready in about 30 minutes pairs ground beef (80% lean), medium (1 cup) yellow onion (diced), frozen sweet corn for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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 medium (1 cup) yellow onion (diced)
- 3/4 cup frozen sweet corn
- 3/4 cup frozen peas
- 2 cloves garlic cloves (minced)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 3/4 cup beef broth
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb ground beef and 2 minced garlic cloves to the skillet. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spatula, for 6-7 minutes until browned and no longer pink.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper, cooking for 1 minute until the tomato paste darkens slightly.
- Step 4: Pour in 3/4 cup beef broth, then add 3/4 cup frozen sweet corn and 3/4 cup frozen peas. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 5-6 minutes until vegetables are tender and liquid reduces slightly.
- Step 5: Sprinkle 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the beef and vegetable mixture. Cover the skillet with a lid and cook for 2-3 minutes until the cheese melts and becomes gooey.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and serve warm as a hearty, kid-friendly one-pan dinner.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pan Cheesy Beef and Vegetable Skillet take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover One-Pan Cheesy Beef and Vegetable Skillet?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground beef (80% lean) from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pan Cheesy Beef and Vegetable Skillet?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale One-Pan Cheesy Beef and Vegetable Skillet for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with One-Pan Cheesy Beef and Vegetable Skillet?
American kid friendly like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
