One-Pan Moroccan-Spiced Ground Beef with Chickpeas
A fragrant, hearty ground beef skillet infused with warm Moroccan spices and tender chickpeas, perfect for a quick weeknight meal. This mediterranean-inspired meal prep ready in about 35 minutes pairs ground beef, canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed, olive oil 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
- 1 cup canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp ground coriander
- 1 cup crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and sauté for 4 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Step 2: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and 1/2 tsp ground coriander. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 1 lb ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook for 6-7 minutes until browned and cooked through, stirring occasionally.
- Step 4: Stir in 1 cup canned chickpeas and 1 cup crushed tomatoes along with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef and chickpeas.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and sprinkle 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro over the top before serving warm.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pan Moroccan-Spiced Ground Beef with Chickpeas take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 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 Moroccan-Spiced Ground Beef with Chickpeas?
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 from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pan Moroccan-Spiced Ground Beef with Chickpeas?
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 Moroccan-Spiced Ground Beef with Chickpeas 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 Moroccan-Spiced Ground Beef with Chickpeas?
Mediterranean meal prep 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
One-pan magic! Made it for my picky eater, and he loved the chickpeas. Stored it all week—no soggy rice, just flavorful goodness.
- ★★★★★
My family devoured this! The cumin and paprika made it so aromatic—perfect for meal prep with leftovers tasting even better.
- ★★★★☆
Loved the flavor combo, but chickpeas needed more simmer time than listed. Added a splash of broth to fix, so 4 stars for the taste.







