Southwest Ground Beef and Squash Skillet
User Reviews
5
Southwest Ground Beef and Squash Skillet
Description
This skillet cooks yellow onion and garlic first, then softens zucchini and red bell pepper with seasoning including chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, and optional cayenne for heat. Ground beef is added and cooked through with soy sauce and fire-roasted tomatoes, creating a flavorful, slightly thickened sauce. Cheddar cheese melts on top under the broiler, adding richness and a golden crust.
The result is a dish balancing tender vegetables and savory beef with smoky and spicy notes. Cilantro garnish adds fresh herbal brightness. Serving it over cauliflower rice or regular rice makes a complete meal with varied textures and flavors.
Cooking in an oven-safe skillet allows transition from stovetop to broiler for melting cheese without transferring the dish, simplifying preparation and presentation. The recipe encourages watching the cheese carefully to avoid burning while broiling.
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon neutral cooking oil generic cooking oil
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 3 large garlic minced, cloves
- 1 medium zucchini cut into chunks
- 1 red bell pepper chopped
- 3 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons cumin
- 1 ½ teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 ½ teaspoons oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt divided, sea salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper ground
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
- 1 lb ground beef lean grass-fed
- 1 Tablespoon soy sauce or tamari
- 1 .5 oz fire-roasted tomato canned
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded sharp
- cilantro for topping
- cauliflower rice for serving, or regular rice
Instructions
- Bring oven to a broil. In a 10 inch, oven-safe skillet (I used a 10 inch cast iron) heat oil over medium heat.
- Add onion and sauté for 2-3 min, until it starts to become fragrant. Add garlic and sauté 1 more minute.
- Add zucchini, bell pepper and ½ tsp salt and saute for 5-6 min until veggies have softened.
- Add ground beef, chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, ½ tsp salt, pepper and cayenne, if using. Cook for 5-6 min, until beef is cooked through, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Add the tamari and fire roasted tomatoes. Bring mixture to a simmer and cook for 5-6 minutes letting the sauce slightly reduce and thicken.
- Top mixture with cheddar cheese and place it in oven to broil for 2-3 min, watching closely to make sure the cheese doesn’t burn.
- Remove from oven, let cool for a few minutes. Serve over rice of choice and top with cilantro
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 426 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving (w/o rice) | |
| Calories | 426kcal | 21% |
| Carbohydrates | 14g | 5% |
| Protein | 29g | 58% |
| Fat | 28g | 43% |
| Saturated Fat | 11g | 55% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Cholesterol | 98mg | 33% |
| Sodium | 616mg | 26% |
| Potassium | 319mg | 7% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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