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Ground Beef and Zucchini Skillet Easy One Pan Dinner

Ground Beef and Zucchini Skillet is a quick one-pan dinner with lean beef, vegetables, black beans, and cheese.
It is hearty, family-friendly, and packed with Mexican-inspired flavor.
Perfect for busy weeknights and easy meal prep.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine Mexican-inspired

Ingredients
  

  • 2 teaspoons avocado oil
  • 1 medium sweet potato peeled and cut into ½-inch cubes
  • 1 small zucchini diced
  • 1 medium red bell pepper diced
  • 1 small red onion diced
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 can black beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 can fire-roasted tomatoes
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • 1 packet taco seasoning or 3 tablespoons homemade taco seasoning
  • 1 cup Mexican-style or Monterey Jack shredded cheese blend
  • Optional garnish: chopped fresh cilantro
  • Optional garnish: sliced green onions

Instructions
 

  • Heat the avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Add the diced sweet potato and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Add the zucchini, bell pepper, red onion, and garlic. Cook for another 3 to 4 minutes, until the vegetables begin to soften.
  • Push the vegetables to one side of the skillet and add the ground beef to the other side. Cook for 7 to 9 minutes, breaking it into small crumbles as it browns. Drain excess grease if needed.
  • Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the black beans, fire-roasted tomatoes with their juice, frozen corn, and taco seasoning.
  • Stir everything together well so the flavors combine evenly. This Ground Beef and Zucchini Skillet should look rich, colorful, and well mixed.
  • Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top, cover the skillet, and remove it from the heat. Let it sit for about 2 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
  • Remove the lid, add cilantro and green onions if desired, and serve warm.

Notes

This skillet is flexible and easy to adapt. You can add more zucchini, stir in spinach at the end, or top it with diced avocado for a creamy finish. It is delicious served on its own, over rice, with warm tortillas, or alongside a crisp salad.