Ground Beef and Zucchini Skillet
A quick, healthy, and flavorful one-pan dinner combining lean ground beef with tender zucchini and diced tomatoes, seasoned with Italian herbs. Ready in under 30 minutes, this hearty skillet meal is perfect for busy weeknights, offering wholesome nutrition and minimal cleanup.
- Author: Nina
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Proteins and Vegetables
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 2 medium zucchinis, rinsed and chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
Seasonings and Oils
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Rinse and chop the zucchini into bite-sized pieces, dice the onion, and mince the garlic so all ingredients are ready for cooking.
- Cook the Ground Beef: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned and no longer pink, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add diced onion and minced garlic to the cooked beef. Stir frequently until the onion softens and the mixture releases fragrant aromas.
- Add Zucchini and Tomatoes: Stir in the zucchini pieces and diced tomatoes. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Cover and simmer until the zucchini is tender and flavors meld, about 5-7 minutes.
- Final Touches and Serve: Stir the skillet well, adjust seasoning if needed, and cook for another minute or two before removing from heat. Garnish as desired and serve warm.
Notes
- Choose lean ground beef to reduce excess grease and keep the dish light.
- Don’t overcook zucchini to avoid mushiness—add it toward the end and cook until just tender.
- Use fresh garlic minced for maximum flavor rather than garlic powder.
- Season gradually and taste as you cook to achieve the perfect balance of salt and herbs.
- Cover the skillet while simmering to trap steam, ensuring even cooking and melding of flavors.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: ground beef skillet, zucchini skillet, healthy skillet meal, quick beef dinner, one pan beef recipe, easy weeknight dinner