Description
Sizzling Mexican zucchini and ground beef skillet brings robust flavors dancing across your plate. Hearty ingredients meld together, creating a quick weeknight dinner that satisfies hunger and delights taste buds with authentic southwestern spirit.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
- 2 medium zucchinis, diced
- 1 cup (113 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 can (14.5 ounces / 411 grams) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare a large skillet and warm olive oil over medium heat, introducing finely chopped onions and minced garlic. Sauté until onions become translucent and fragrant, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Introduce ground beef into the skillet, methodically breaking apart the meat with a spatula. Brown the beef thoroughly, ensuring no pink remains, which typically takes 5-7 minutes. Optional: eliminate excess rendered fat for a leaner dish.
- Incorporate diced zucchini, canned tomatoes with their natural juices, and a robust blend of spices including chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and freshly cracked pepper. Simmer the mixture, stirring occasionally, until zucchini reaches a tender consistency, roughly 5-7 minutes.
- Generously distribute shredded cheddar cheese across the skillet’s surface. Cover and allow cheese to melt completely, creating a smooth, glossy layer that takes approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Carefully remove the skillet from heat. Optional: garnish with vibrant, freshly chopped cilantro for an aromatic finish. Serve immediately while the dish remains piping hot.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with plant-based crumbles for a vegetarian version that keeps all the zesty Mexican flavors intact.
- Use low-fat cheese or reduce cheese quantity to make the dish more diet-friendly and heart-healthy.
- Quickly dice zucchini into uniform small pieces to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the skillet.
- Consider adding bell peppers or jalapeños for extra crunch and enhanced spice levels, giving the dish more complexity and depth of flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 390 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg