Description
Discover a quick, tasty simple ground beef recipe for dinner—easy steps, hearty flavor, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup (240 ml) canned diced tomatoes, drained
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) low‑sodium beef broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
- Cooked rice or pasta, for serving
Instructions
- Prep the aromatics. I start by dicing the onion and bell pepper, then mince the garlic. Having everything ready makes the cooking flow.
- Sauté the vegetables. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and bell pepper; sauté 4‑5 minutes until they soften and the onion turns translucent.
- Add garlic. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds – you’ll smell the aroma instantly.
- Brown the beef. Push the veggies to the side, add the ground beef, and break it up with a wooden spoon. Cook 6‑8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the meat loses its pink color and starts to caramelize.
- Season. Sprinkle the smoked paprika, cumin, red‑pepper flakes, salt, and pepper over the meat. Stir well so the spices coat everything evenly.
- Incorporate tomato paste. Push the mixture back into the center of the pan, add 2 tbsp tomato paste, and let it cook for 1‑2 minutes. This deepens the flavor and removes any raw taste.
- Combine liquids. Pour in the diced tomatoes and beef broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low.
- Simmer. Let it cook uncovered for 10‑12 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce should thicken slightly and cling to the beef.
- Finish and serve. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Spoon the hearty mixture over a bed of rice or tossed pasta, garnish with fresh parsley, and enjoy!
Notes
- Don’t overcrowd the pan. If your skillet is small, brown the beef in two batches. Overcrowding steams the meat instead of browning it.
- Use fresh garlic. Pre‑minced garlic can turn bitter when cooked long.
- Adjust heat. If the sauce looks too dry, add a splash more broth or water.
- Finish with a splash of acidity. A squeeze of lemon juice right before serving brightens the dish.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: simple ground beef recipe for dinner