Easy Ground Beef Quinoa Skillet (30-Minutes)
This Ground Beef Quinoa Skillet is a quick, nutritious, and flavorful one-pan meal perfect for busy weeknights. Packed with protein-rich quinoa, lean ground beef, and savory spices, it's a healthy option that’s also easy to customize.Enjoy this meal fresh or store leftovers for meal prep - either way, it’s a satisfying dish the whole family will love!
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef lean or extra-lean
- 1 cup quinoa rinsed
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (with juice)
- 1 small onion diced
- 1 bell pepper diced, any color
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 ½ cups beef broth or water
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp chili powder
- Salt & pepper to taste
- ½ cup shredded cheese optional
- Fresh cilantro or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the ground beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned, breaking it up with a spatula. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Sauté the veggies: Add diced onion and bell pepper to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add quinoa and spices: Stir in the rinsed quinoa, cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine.
- Incorporate liquids: Pour in the diced tomatoes (with juice) and beef broth. Stir to evenly distribute the ingredients.
- Simmer: Cover the skillet and reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer for 15 minutes, or until the quinoa is fluffy and the liquid is absorbed.
- Finish with cheese (optional): If using cheese, sprinkle it on top and let it melt.
- Garnish & serve: Sprinkle fresh cilantro or parsley over the dish and serve hot.