One-Pan Spiced Ground Beef and Vegetable Skillet

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A hearty and quick skillet meal combining spiced ground beef with colorful vegetables, perfect for a weeknight dinner. This mexican-inspired meal prep (gluten-free) ready in about 25 minutes pairs ground beef, olive oil, red bell pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. 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.

★ 4.0 (14 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Mexican cuisine 320 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 1 pound ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook for 5-6 minutes until browned and no longer pink.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 small diced yellow onion, 1 diced red bell pepper, and 1 diced zucchini to the beef. Stir and cook for 4-5 minutes until the vegetables soften.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Remove from heat, stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro and 1 tablespoon lime juice. Serve warm.

Frequently asked questions

How long does One-Pan Spiced Ground Beef and Vegetable Skillet take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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 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 from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pan Spiced Ground 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 Spiced Ground 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.

Is One-Pan Spiced Ground Beef and Vegetable Skillet gluten-free?

Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten-free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

What others are saying

Related recipes