Go Back
- 1 lb ground beef (85% lean) - 2 cups zucchini, diced - 1 cup bell peppers, chopped (any color) - 1 cup spinach, roughly chopped - 1 small onion, diced - 2 cloves garlic, minced The main ingredients are simple yet full of flavor. Ground beef is the star here. I like an 85% lean blend. It gives good flavor without too much fat. Zucchini adds a nice crunch. Bell peppers bring sweetness and color. Spinach is great for nutrition. Onion and garlic give a strong base to the dish. - 1 tablespoon olive oil - 1 teaspoon dried oregano - 1 teaspoon paprika - Salt and pepper to taste For seasonings, I use olive oil to sauté the veggies. Oregano adds a warm, earthy flavor. Paprika gives a touch of smokiness. Don't forget salt and pepper. They help enhance every bite. - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese If you want extra creaminess, add shredded cheddar cheese. It melts beautifully and makes the dish even better. You can skip it if you prefer a lighter meal. {{ingredient_image_1}} To start, grab a large skillet and place it on the stove. Pour in one tablespoon of olive oil and turn the heat to medium. Once the oil is hot, add the diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté them for about three to four minutes. You want the onion to turn soft and clear. This step adds a great base flavor to your dish. Next, increase the heat to medium-high. Add in one pound of ground beef. Break it up with a spatula as it cooks. You need to brown the beef for about five to seven minutes. Season it with salt, pepper, dried oregano, and paprika. This blend gives the beef a rich taste that complements the other ingredients. Now it’s time to add some fresh veggies. Stir in two cups of diced zucchini and one cup of chopped bell peppers. Cook these for about five to six minutes until they are tender. Lastly, fold in one cup of roughly chopped spinach. Cook this for about two minutes until it wilts. If you want, you can sprinkle half a cup of shredded cheddar cheese on top for extra flavor. Enjoy your meal! To get the perfect beef browning, use a hot skillet. Add the ground beef after the oil is hot. This helps lock in flavor. Cook it until it’s brown, breaking it apart as it cooks. This will take about 5-7 minutes. When you cook the veggies, adjust the time based on your taste. If you like crunchier veggies, cook them for less time. If you prefer softer veggies, let them cook a bit longer. Just keep an eye on them so they don’t turn mushy. To change up the flavor, add spices and herbs. Try cumin for a warm taste or thyme for freshness. You can also use chili powder if you like some heat. Adding cheese gives a creamy touch. I love using shredded cheddar, but you can try mozzarella or pepper jack. Just sprinkle it on top before serving and let it melt into the dish. For sides, think about a fresh salad or cauliflower rice. Both pair well with this skillet meal. You can also top it with sour cream or avocado slices for added creaminess. A sprinkle of fresh herbs, like parsley or cilantro, can brighten the dish, too. Pro Tips Choose Lean Meat: Opting for 85% lean ground beef helps reduce fat while still providing flavor and moisture to the dish. Vegetable Variations: Feel free to substitute or add other low-carb vegetables like mushrooms, broccoli, or asparagus for added nutrition and variety. One-Pan Wonder: This recipe is a one-pan meal, making cleanup a breeze. Consider using a non-stick skillet for easier cooking and cleaning. Cheese Options: Experiment with different types of cheese, such as mozzarella or pepper jack, for unique flavors depending on your taste preference. {{image_2}} You can easily switch the ground beef for other meats. Ground turkey, chicken, or pork work well. You can even use plant-based meat if you want a vegan option. If you want to add different vegetables, consider using mushrooms, cauliflower, or eggplant. These will change the dish’s taste and add fun colors. Do you like your food spicy? You can add heat by using jalapeños or other peppers. Chop them up and mix them in with the onions and garlic. You can also drizzle some hot sauce on top. This will give your meal a nice kick and keep things exciting. If you want to make this dish dairy-free, simply skip the cheese. You can also use coconut milk or cashew cream for a creamy texture. If you want to make it vegan, swap the ground beef for lentils or chickpeas. This keeps the meal filling while sticking to your diet. To keep your Quick Keto Ground Beef Skillet fresh, let it cool first. Place leftovers in an airtight container. Store them in the fridge for up to three days. This keeps the flavors locked in and helps prevent spoilage. When ready to eat, just take it out and reheat. Reheating is simple. You can use a microwave or a skillet. If using a microwave, heat in short bursts. Stir the dish between bursts to ensure even heating. If using a skillet, add a splash of water or broth to help steam the dish. Heat over low to medium heat until warm. This keeps the beef juicy and the veggies crisp. Freezing is an option too! To freeze, let the dish cool completely. Then, portion it into freezer-safe containers. Be sure to leave some space at the top for expansion. Label each container with the date. When you want to eat it, remove it from the freezer. Thaw it overnight in the fridge. Then, reheat as mentioned above. This way, you have a quick meal ready whenever you need it! It takes about 25 minutes from start to finish. You will spend 10 minutes on prep. The cooking time is around 15 minutes. This makes it a fast meal for busy nights. Yes, you can prepare this dish ahead of time. Cook it fully and let it cool. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. You can also freeze it for up to three months. Just thaw it overnight in the fridge when you want to eat it. Here are some great swaps: - Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef. - Replace zucchini with cauliflower rice or broccoli. - Bell peppers can be swapped for asparagus or green beans. - Use nutritional yeast instead of cheese for a dairy-free option. These changes keep your meal keto-friendly while adding variety. In this blog post, we explored a simple and tasty Quick Keto Ground Beef Skillet. We reviewed the main ingredients like ground beef, zucchini, and bell peppers. Then we outlined step-by-step instructions for cooking. Tips included how to get the perfect beef browning and ways to enhance flavors. Lastly, we discussed variations and storage options. This dish is not only easy to make, but it’s also versatile. You can swap ingredients to suit your taste and needs. Enjoy creating this quick, healthy meal!

Quick Keto Ground Beef Skillet

A quick and easy keto-friendly skillet dish featuring ground beef and fresh vegetables.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Keto
Servings 4
Calories 350 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb ground beef (85% lean)
  • 2 cups zucchini, diced
  • 1 cup bell peppers, chopped (any color)
  • 1 cup spinach, roughly chopped
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • to taste salt and pepper
  • 1 2 shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

Instructions
 

  • In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing until the onion is translucent (about 3-4 minutes).
  • Increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground beef. Cook until browned, breaking it up with a spatula (about 5-7 minutes). Season with salt, pepper, oregano, and paprika.
  • Stir in the diced zucchini and chopped bell peppers. Cook for another 5-6 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
  • Fold in the spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes.
  • If desired, sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top, allowing it to melt for an extra layer of flavor.
  • Remove from heat and let rest for a couple of minutes before serving.

Notes

Optional cheese can be added for extra flavor.
Keyword ground beef, keto, quick meal, skillet