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Quick Ground Beef Zucchini Skillet Easy Dinner

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A quick and easy one-pan meal featuring ground beef and tender zucchini, perfect for busy weeknights. Ready in under 25 minutes with simple pantry ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450g) ground beef (85/15)
  • 2 medium zucchini (about 12 oz / 340g total), sliced into half-moons
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) olive oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Fresh parsley or basil for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep your vegetables: Dice the onion into small, even pieces (about 1/4-inch). Slice the zucchini into half-moons, roughly 1/4-inch thick. Mince the garlic.
  2. Brown the beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it apart with a spoon. Let it cook undisturbed for 2 minutes, then stir and continue cooking until no pink remains (6-7 minutes total). Drain excess fat, leaving about 1 tablespoon for flavor. Transfer beef to a plate and set aside.
  3. Cook the aromatics: Reduce heat to medium. Add olive oil to the same skillet. Add diced onion and cook for 1 minute until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Add the zucchini: Add sliced zucchini to the skillet in an even layer. Cook undisturbed for 2 minutes to get color, then stir and cook for another 2-3 minutes until tender but still slightly firm.
  5. Combine everything: Return the cooked beef to the skillet. Add soy sauce, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir and cook for 1 minute to meld flavors. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  6. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle with fresh parsley or basil if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

Don’t overcrowd the pan to ensure browning. Let the beef sit undisturbed for a crust. Season in layers. Use low-sodium soy sauce if watching sodium. For meal prep, cook zucchini slightly less to hold up better.

Nutrition

Keywords: ground beef zucchini skillet, quick dinner, one-pan meal, weeknight dinner, easy ground beef recipe

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