One-Pot Spiced Beef and Tomato Couscous
Ground beef cooked with aromatic spices and tomatoes, combined with fluffy couscous in one pot for an easy and flavorful meal. This mediterranean-inspired one pot ready in about 30 minutes pairs ground beef, olive oil, medium onion, diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp ground coriander
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced canned tomatoes with juice
- 1 1/4 cups beef broth
- 1 cup couscous
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Add 1 medium diced onion and sauté for 4 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp ground coriander, and 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 1 lb ground beef to the skillet and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink, about 6-7 minutes.
- Step 4: Stir in 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with their juice, 1 1/4 cups beef broth, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a simmer.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup couscous. Cover the pot and let it sit for 5 minutes until couscous absorbs the liquid.
- Step 6: Fluff couscous with a fork and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Spiced Beef and Tomato Couscous 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-Pot Spiced Beef and Tomato Couscous?
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-Pot Spiced Beef and Tomato Couscous?
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-Pot Spiced Beef and Tomato Couscous 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-Pot Spiced Beef and Tomato Couscous?
Mediterranean 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.
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