Spiced Beef Stir-Fry with Zucchini Noodles and Bell Peppers

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-03 · Updated 2026-08-03

Quick-cooked ground beef stir-fried with colorful bell peppers and zucchini noodles, seasoned with warming spices for a Whole30-friendly low-carb dinner. This American-inspired Whole30 recipe (low carb), ready in about 30 minutes, pairs ground beef (85% lean), zucchini noodles (spiralized zucchini), red bell pepper, thinly sliced 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 Whole30 week and pairs well with roasted sweet potato or a simple olive-oil 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.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef (85% lean)
• 4 cups zucchini noodles (spiralized zucchini)
• 1 medium red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 medium yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb ground beef and cook for 6-8 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through.
2. Step 2: Add 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp sea salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to the beef. Stir well to combine and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Step 3: In a separate large pan, heat remaining 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 1 medium thinly sliced red bell pepper and 1 medium thinly sliced yellow bell pepper. Sauté for 4 minutes until slightly tender but still crisp.
4. Step 4: Add 4 cups zucchini noodles to the peppers and sauté for an additional 2 minutes until just softened.
5. Step 5: Combine the seasoned ground beef with the vegetable mixture, toss gently, and remove from heat. Sprinkle with 2 tbsp fresh chopped cilantro before serving.