Hamburger and Zucchini Skillet

Name: Hamburger and Zucchini Skillet
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef; 1 medium yellow onion (chopped); 1 small green pepper (seeded and chopped); 3 cloves garlic (minced); 2 tsp chili powder; 3/4 tsp salt; 1/3 tsp pepper; 3 medium zucchini (cubed); 2 large tomatoes (seeded and diced); 1/4 c. water; 1 c. uncooked instant brown rice; 1 c. shredded colby jack cheese

4.72 from 179 votes

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By: Julie Evink101 Comments

Posted: 07/30/20 Updated: 09/04/21

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Delicious one pot dinner that is light & healthy! This Hamburger and Zucchini Skillet is loaded with zucchini, ground beef, brown rice, green pepper, and tomatoes. Plus, you can have it on the dinner table in 30 minutes.

PIN IT FOR LATER!

Wooden spoon scooping ground beef and zucchini skillet out of pan with steam coming off of it.

Have a lot of zucchini on hand? This hamburger skillet is a great way to use it up!

There are only so many side dishes with zucchini that I can handle, so I decided I needed a main dish to use it in and that’s how this easy skillet came to be.

It’s a combination of rice, veggies, and ground beef all simmered together in one skillet. It’s flavored with chili powder and other seasonings and the best news? It’s an easy one-pan 30-minute dinner! I love easy dinner recipes.

Every time I make this hamburger skillet my family gobbles it up! Even the kiddos have second helpings and that makes me very happy because it’s packed with veggies. It’s a great way to use up all of those garden vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, and zucchini.

Overhead image showing ingredients in bowls for hamburger and zucchini skillet on wooden background

Contents show

This is an Easy One-Skillet Dinner!

This dish has a combination of fresh ingredients like ground beef, bell peppers, zucchini, onion and tomatoes with pantry ingredients you might already have on hand.

What makes it so easy is Instant brown rice which cooks really fast! So, be sure to buy instant rice and not regular – otherwise, it will take a lot longer (and might not work because I’ve only tested instant rice!).

Skillet with ground beef, green pepper and onions before cooking

Skillet with chopped tomatoes, zucchini and dry brown rice before cooking

4 Easy Steps!

Brown the beef with the onion.
Add all of the vegetables, seasonings, water, and rice and bring it to a boil.
Reduce the heat and cover the skillet for five to ten minutes or until the rice is tender.
Top with the cheese and once it’s melted serve and enjoy!

We love this cheesy, hearty dinner! I love that it’s so filling and loaded with veggies. It’s a complete dinner so you don’t have to worry about a side dish, but sometimes we add some homemade breadsticks on the side!

Pro Tips

If you have leftovers they will keep in the refrigerator for three to four days.
This recipe is great for meal prep – you can easily make it ahead, store it in the fridge, and then heat it up for easy dinners and lunches.
You can also easily customize it – you can leave out veggies you don’t like and double up on the ones you do! Or, switch up the spices for a different flavor.
We love cheddar cheese, but you can use any good melting cheese that you like! Monterey jack, provolone, Swiss cheese, pepper jack… there are a lot of options to try.
A frequently asked question is if that’s enough water and it depends on the amount of water content in your zucchini. As the zucchini cooks it releases water so you won’t need much water. With that being said all zucchini has different water content. If it’s looking a little dry add a little more water to it.

Light blue plate with a serving of ground beef and zucchini skillet on it that's topped with melted cheese.

What people are saying:

“This is one of my family’s favorite dinners!”

“Delicious!”

“It came out great and in a short period of time. Thanks for the recipe.”

More Family-Friendly Recipes!

Need a quick and easy dinner? Chicken Alfredo is the answer – pasta in a creamy sauce is so good! Plus you make it in one pot!
My Homemade Hamburger Helper is so much better than the one in the box! We make it all the time – once you try you will, too!
Taco Pasta is a quick and easy dinner recipe that is made in one pot! Cheesy macaroni with hamburger, salsa, and corn will be a hit at your dinner table.
Taco Stuffed Zucchini Boats are a low-carb dinner that’s perfect for meal prep, too.

Try it and love it? Rate it, please!!!? Seriously though a five-star rating below will make my day! If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy dish!!

Meet Julie Evink

I'm here to help you win in the kitchen again! Life is Busy, Life is Crazy, but that doesn't mean you can't make your family dinner! Julie's goal is to provide you with easy, family, friendly recipes that use pantry staples. Dinnertime will be stress free again!