Description
A quick and versatile 20-minute skillet meal using simple pantry staples. One of the best ground beef recipes for busy weeknights, perfect for serving over pasta, rice, or in tacos.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef (85/15 lean)
1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 cup beef broth
Salt and black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil (if needed)
Instructions
Step 1: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and spread it out into an even layer.
Step 2: Let the beef sear undisturbed for 3-4 minutes until a brown crust forms. Break the meat apart with a wooden spoon and continue cooking until fully browned.
Step 3: Drain the excess fat from the skillet, leaving about one tablespoon of fat in the pan for flavor.
Step 4: Add the diced onion to the pan and sauté for 5 minutes until softened and translucent.
Step 5: Stir in the minced garlic, oregano, thyme, and smoked paprika. Cook for 1 minute until the spices are fragrant.
Step 6: Pour in the beef broth and use your spoon to scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let the liquid simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly reduced.
Step 7: Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
This is one of the most reliable ground beef recipes for meal prep. You can double the batch and freeze it for up to 3 months. For a spicy version, add a teaspoon of red pepper flakes during Step 5.
- Prep Time: PT10M
- Cook Time: PT20M
- Category: Main Dishes & Savory Recipes
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 310 kcal
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 85mg