Cheesy Ground Beef and Zucchini Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 poundground beef
- 2 mediumzucchini
- 1 mediumyellow onion
- 3 clovesgarlic
- 1 can (14.5 oz)canned diced tomatoes
- 2 tablespoontomato paste
- ½ cupbeef broth
- 1 cupsharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 2 tablespoonolive oil
- ·salt
- ·black pepper
- 1 teaspoondried oregano
Prep
- 01
Dice 2 medium zucchini into 1/2-inch cubes.
- 02
Dice 1 medium yellow onion.
- 03
Mince 3 cloves garlic.
- 04
Shred 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese.
Method
- 01
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 pound ground beef, breaking it apart as it cooks. Cook for 5–7 minutes until browned and no pink remains. Drain excess fat if needed.
- 02
Push the beef to the side of the skillet and add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the diced onion to the empty space and sauté for 3 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- 03
Stir in 2 tablespoons tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, then add the canned diced tomatoes with their juice, 1/2 cup beef broth, and 1 teaspoon dried oregano. Stir well and simmer for 3 minutes.
- 04
Add the diced zucchini and stir to combine. Simmer uncovered for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the zucchini is tender but not mushy.
- 05
Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Remove from heat and scatter 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese over the top. Cover and let sit for 2 minutes until the cheese melts, then stir to combine.
- 06
Serve hot, directly from the skillet or portioned into bowls.
Spice Tips
For warmth, add 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes when you add the garlic. If you like deeper savory notes, stir in 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika with the tomato paste. A pinch of fresh basil or parsley stirred in at the end brightens the dish.
This dish reheats beautifully — store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days and warm gently on the stovetop. The cheese adds richness and helps bind the filling. For a lighter version, reduce the cheese to 3/4 cup or use part-skim mozzarella.