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A close-up of a sizzling ground beef veggie skillet with vibrant vegetables.

Classic Ground Beef Veggie Skillet

This versatile ground beef and veggie skillet is a quick and easy meal, perfect for any weeknight. It's packed with flavor and customizable with your favorite vegetables.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound lean ground beef or ground turkey, chicken, or a plant-based alternative
  • 1 medium onion
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 2 cups mixed vegetables, chopped e.g., bell peppers, zucchini, carrots, mushrooms, corn, green beans – use what you have!
  • 1 can (14.5 ounce) diced tomatoes, undrained
Seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning or a mix of oregano, basil, and thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper or to taste
  • red pepper flakes Optional: a dash for heat

Equipment

  • large skillet
  • Dutch oven

Method
 

Cooking Steps
  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
  2. Add ground beef to the hot skillet, break it apart, and cook until it is fully browned.
  3. Carefully drain any excess fat from the skillet to keep the dish lighter.
  4. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook for 3-5 minutes until soft; stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  5. Stir in the mixed vegetables and the can of diced tomatoes, including their juice.
  6. Sprinkle in Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes.
  7. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 10-15 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp, stirring occasionally.
  8. Taste the skillet mixture and adjust seasonings as needed, adding a splash of water or broth if it seems dry.
  9. The skillet base is now ready to serve immediately or cool completely before storing for future use.

Notes

This recipe is highly adaptable. Feel free to experiment with different vegetables like broccoli, spinach, or kale. You can also add a can of black beans or kidney beans for extra protein and fiber. Serve it over rice, pasta, or as a filling for tacos or lettuce wraps.