Vegetable-Packed Ground Beef Chili with Tomatoes and Mushrooms
A hearty, bean-free chili featuring ground beef simmered with aromatic vegetables and fire-roasted tomatoes, ideal for chilly evenings and Whole30 compliance. This american-inspired soups (whole30) ready in about 60 minutes pairs pound ground beef, tablespoons avocado oil, large onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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 pound ground beef
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 1 large onion
- 2 carrot
- 1 zucchini
- 1 cup mushrooms
- 2 cloves garlic
- 14 ounces diced tomatoes
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons avocado oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 large diced onion and 2 diced carrots, cooking for 4 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: Add 1 cup sliced mushrooms and 2 minced garlic cloves, cooking for 3 minutes until mushrooms release moisture.
- Step 3: Add 1 pound ground beef, breaking it apart, and cook for 6 minutes until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Step 4: Stir in 14 ounces fire-roasted diced tomatoes, 1 cup low-sodium beef broth, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, and 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme. Bring to a simmer.
- Step 5: Add 1 diced zucchini and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25 minutes until vegetables are tender.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Vegetable-Packed Ground Beef Chili with Tomatoes and Mushrooms take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (20 min prep + 40 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 Vegetable-Packed Ground Beef Chili with Tomatoes and Mushrooms?
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 pound ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Vegetable-Packed Ground Beef Chili with Tomatoes and Mushrooms?
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 Vegetable-Packed Ground Beef Chili with Tomatoes and Mushrooms 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 Vegetable-Packed Ground Beef Chili with Tomatoes and Mushrooms whole30?
Yes — this recipe is tagged whole30 based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
My kids asked for seconds! The vegetable mix made it so healthy and flavorful.
- ★★★★☆
Cooked for my family and they loved it, but the mushrooms took longer to cook than I expected.
- ★★★★☆
Slightly bland, but adding a dash of chili powder fixed it.
