One-Pan Spiced Ground Beef and Chickpea Skillet
A hearty one-pan meal combining spiced ground beef and tender chickpeas, perfect for a quick and flavorful weeknight dinner. This middle eastern-inspired meal prep ready in about 30 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 380 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 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp ground coriander
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
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 4-5 minutes until translucent and softened.
- Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in 1 lb ground beef, breaking it up with a spatula, and cook for 6-7 minutes until browned and no longer pink.
- Step 3: Sprinkle 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp ground coriander, and 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes over the beef. Stir well to coat and cook for 1 minute until the spices release their aroma.
- Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes to deepen the flavor. Add 1 cup drained chickpeas and 1/2 cup beef broth, stirring to combine. Simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef and chickpeas.
- Step 5: Season with salt and black pepper to taste, then remove from heat and stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley for a bright, fresh finish.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pan Spiced Ground Beef and Chickpea 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 Spiced Ground Beef and Chickpea 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 from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pan Spiced Ground Beef and Chickpea 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 Spiced Ground Beef and Chickpea 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 Spiced Ground Beef and Chickpea Skillet?
Middle Eastern 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
- ★★★★★
My husband and kids devoured this. The recipe is straightforward and the leftovers are great for lunch.
- ★★★★★
This is my new go-to meal! Easy, flavorful, and the chickpeas add such a nice texture. Made it for my family and they loved it.
- ★★★★★
So simple and packed with flavor. The spices really came through. I'll be making this again and again.
