Spiced Beef and Vegetable Skillet with Bell Peppers
A hearty one-pan whole30 meal featuring lean ground beef with a medley of colorful bell peppers, seasoned with warming spices for a satisfying dinner. This american-inspired whole30 ready in about 25 minutes pairs lean ground beef, medium, diced (about 1 cup) onion, minced garlic 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, lean ground beef
- 1 red, 1 green, 1 yellow, diced (about 3 cups total) bell peppers
- 1 medium, diced (about 1 cup) onion
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1/4 tsp (optional) cayenne pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the 1 lb ground beef and cook, breaking into small crumbles, until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat.
- Step 2: Add the 3 cups diced bell peppers, 1 cup diced onion, and 2 minced garlic cloves to the skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender-crisp and slightly caramelized.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp chili powder, 1/4 tsp cayenne (if using), 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Cook for 1 more minute until spices are fragrant and evenly distributed.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Beef and Vegetable Skillet with Bell Peppers 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 Spiced Beef and Vegetable Skillet with Bell Peppers?
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 lean ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Beef and Vegetable Skillet with Bell Peppers?
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 Spiced Beef and Vegetable Skillet with Bell Peppers 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 Spiced Beef and Vegetable Skillet with Bell Peppers?
American whole30 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
- ★★★★★
Added some red pepper flakes for heat — highly recommend.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
