One Skillet Simple Ground Beef Recipe with Zucchini and Spices

This one-skillet simple ground beef recipe checks all the boxes when I’m looking for a weeknight meal. Quick? Check. Delicious? Check. Good for leftovers? Check. This dish will have everyone’s mouth watering even before the pan hits the table, I promise.
A Versatile Ground Beef Recipe
I like to use this one skillet (cast iron is my favorite) ground beef recipe as a filling for pita wraps–I think of it as a “Mediterranean taco skillet”. I make the same type of filling for tacos using tortillas, and for this I just switched up the spices, and used flatbread for wraps. Instead of being chili powder based, I use turmeric, paprika, and oregano in equal amounts. The result is a savory, aromatic dish that will have your family sniffing the air and asking what’s for dinner! I almost always keep grass-fed ground beef in the freezer, so I can pull it out and cook it on a moment’s notice.
Recipes for Dinner
My favorite toppings for this one-skillet dish are diced tomatoes and plain yogurt. Feel free to use fresh herbs as well, such as parsley or cilantro. Or get creative and add feta cheese, harissa, or even a tahini sauce. It also makes a great topping for a salad, roasted cauliflower, or use lettuce wraps for a low-carb option.
One-Skillet Ground Beef Recipe with Zucchini and Spices
Ingredients
- 1 small onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 medium zucchini or summer squash
- 1 medium tomato or 1 Tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil or unsalted butter
- 1 pound grass-fed ground beef
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 3/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- Plain yogurt for garnish
- parsley for garnish
- chopped tomato for garnish
Instructions
- Dice onion and mince garlic. Cut zucchini un half lengthwise then into 1/2-inch slices. Dice tomato. Set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a 10-inch cast iron or other high-sided skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, breaking up with a spoon, and cook until brown.
- Add onion, garlic, and zucchini, and cook, stirring occasionally for 5 minutes. Add spices, salt, 1/4 cup water, and diced tomato. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes, to allow flavors to combine. Garnish with chopped tomato and serve directly from skillet.
I started subscribing to a produce box delivery service and received some beautiful ground beef, zucchini, and tomatoes. What to make? Wanted something fresh and different from the usual Italian or Mexican fare. Voila! Found your recipe, with vibrant flavors and a beautiful lightness you don’t normally find in a ground beef skillet recipe. Since then I have made it at least once a month and it is filed in “family favorites” now. Thank you for this simple yet fresh and flavorful recipe.
You’re so welcome! I’m glad you found the recipe. Sounds perfect for a produce box service.
We loved this recipe it is a good variation with ground beef
Delicious I also add fresh mushroom to the mix.
That sounds delicious!