One-Pan Spiced Beef with Bell Peppers and Onions
Ground beef simmered with sweet bell peppers and onions in a warm, savory spice blend for a hearty, no-fuss meal. This mexican-inspired one pot ready in about 24 minutes pairs ground beef, olive oil, medium onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion
- 1 bell pepper
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb ground beef and cook, breaking it into crumbles, for 5 minutes until browned.
- Step 3: Add 1 medium sliced onion, 1 sliced bell pepper, and 2 minced garlic cloves; cook for 3 minutes until vegetables soften.
- Step 4: Stir in 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tbsp tomato paste, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper; cook for 2 minutes until spices are fragrant and mixture thickens.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pan Spiced Beef with Bell Peppers and Onions take to make?
Total time is about 24 minutes (12 min prep + 12 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 Spiced Beef with Bell Peppers and Onions?
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 Spiced Beef with Bell Peppers and Onions?
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 Spiced Beef with Bell Peppers and Onions 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 Spiced Beef with Bell Peppers and Onions?
Mexican-inspired one pot 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
- ★★★★★
So much better than takeout. We'll never order mexican-inspired delivery again.
- ★★★★★
Brought this to a potluck and it was the first dish to disappear.
- ★★★☆☆
Okay for a quick meal. I've had better one pot dishes though.
