Description
A flavorful and hearty Mexican Zucchini and Ground Beef Skillet made with seasoned ground beef, tender zucchini, and zesty diced tomatoes with green chilies. This easy stovetop recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, delivering a delicious blend of spices and fresh vegetables all cooked together in one pan.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Vegetables
- 2 medium zucchini, sliced and quartered
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 10 ounces Mexican style diced tomatoes with green chilis, canned
Meat
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
Spices
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black ground pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Brown the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Stir frequently and cook until the meat is fully browned and no longer pink, about 7-10 minutes.
- Add Tomatoes and Spices: Stir in the Mexican style diced tomatoes with green chilis, chili powder, ground cumin, onion powder, and crushed red pepper flakes. Mix well to combine all flavors. Cover the skillet and let it simmer on low heat for about 10 minutes to allow the spices to meld and the sauce to thicken.
- Cook the Zucchini: Add the quartered zucchini to the skillet, stirring gently to incorporate with the meat and tomato mixture. Cover again and cook for an additional 10 minutes on low heat until the zucchini is tender but still retains some firmness. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and to evenly distribute heat.
Notes
- Using a cast-iron skillet is ideal as it distributes heat evenly and helps achieve a delicious golden crust on the meat. It is also oven-safe if you want to melt cheese on top after cooking.
- If your zucchini is very watery, sprinkle a pinch of salt over the cut pieces and let them sit for about 15 minutes before cooking to draw out excess moisture and prevent a watery dish.
- Avoid overcrowding the skillet during browning, as this can cause the beef to steam rather than brown properly, resulting in less flavor.
- Feel free to add extra vegetables like mushrooms, bell peppers, or red onions for added nutrition and flavor variety.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
