When summer gets busy, one-pot meals are my go-to dinner choice.
After a long day outside, I want something hearty, healthy, and easy to throw together~without heating up the kitchen or piling up dishes. These three summer skillet recipes are quick, full of flavor, and use simple ingredients you probably already have on hand. If you’ve got a pound of ground beef and one good pan, dinner’s about to be done.
1. Summer Garden Skillet with Ground Beef
This recipe is your garden in a skillet. Zucchini, tomatoes, and ground beef come together for a colorful, nutrient-dense meal that’s ready in 20 minutes.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 medium zucchini, sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 red onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt, pepper, and Italian herbs to taste
- Optional: Fresh basil or shredded parmesan for topping
Instructions:
- Brown the ground beef in a large skillet, seasoning with salt and pepper. Drain if needed.
- Add onions and garlic, sauté for 2–3 minutes.
- Stir in zucchini and cook until tender (about 5–7 minutes).
- Toss in tomatoes and herbs, cook 2 more minutes until just softened.
- Serve warm with fresh basil or cheese on top.
Optional: Serve over rice, couscous, or just with crusty bread to soak up the juices.
2. Cheesy Corn & Beef Skillet
Think summer cookout meets comfort food. This is a 5-ingredient crowd-pleaser when corn is fresh and sweet.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 1/2 cups fresh corn (or frozen)
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar or pepper jack cheese
Instructions:
- Brown the ground beef in a large skillet.
- Add bell pepper and corn, sauté until tender.
- Stir in cumin and season with salt and pepper.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese over the top. Cover and cook until cheese melts.
- Serve hot with chips, in a tortilla, or by the spoonful.
Optional: Add a dollop of sour cream or a squeeze of lime juice for brightness.
3. Garlic Butter Beef & Green Bean Skillet
This one’s a fresh twist on classic steak and green beans. But with ground beef, it cooks faster and soaks up all that buttery garlic goodness.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tbsp butter
- 2 cups green beans, trimmed
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp soy sauce or coconut aminos
- Salt and cracked pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Steam or blanch green beans for 2–3 minutes until just tender, then drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, brown the ground beef.
- Push beef to one side, melt butter on the other side and sauté garlic until fragrant (about 1 minute).
- Add green beans, soy sauce, and stir everything together.
- Let it all crisp up just slightly before serving.
Optional: Top with red pepper flakes or sesame seeds for added kick.
Skillet meals like these are the kind of dinners that keep things simple and satisfying~especially when you’ve got high-quality ground beef in the freezer and a go-to recipe in your back pocket. If you’re ready to make weeknight cooking easier, grab one of our Ground Beef Bundles and stock up on the most versatile cut we offer. It’s pasture-raised, nutrient-dense, and perfect for everything from summer skillets to winter chili.
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