Italian Ground Beef Skillet

I’ve been really into skillet and one-pot meals lately. Maybe it’s a bit of laziness. Perhaps it’s the joy of saving time by throwing everything into one pan while still getting in all the food groups. Either way, my family loves them! 

This Italian Ground Beef Skillet was something I threw together on a whim, and I was really pleased with how it turned out. It comes together in 30 minutes with minimal cleanup, making it a weeknight favorite in our household and for anyone who loves a good, flavorful, protein-packed home-cooked meal without the fuss!

Imagine juicy ground beef, savory Italian sausage, and a medley of fresh onions, green peppers, mushrooms, and garlic, all simmered in a flavorful tomato sauce. Topped with a blend of Italian cheeses, it’s the next best thing to a slice of supreme pizza. Olives optional!

Recipe features

• 30-minute meal. With only a handful of ingredients and one skillet, this recipe keeps things simple with fewer dishes. No need to spend hours in the kitchen! 
• Balanced. A protein-packed, healthy meal made with lean ground beef, Italian sausage, nourishing vegetables, and hearty rice. 
• Your skillet, your way! You can easily make this an Italian ground pork skillet –chicken or turkey. You can also use extra lean ground beef to lower the fat content.
• Pizza-inspired fun. Think of it as a slice of fully loaded supreme pizza in a healthier, more wholesome form.
• Great for meal prep/ leftovers. It’s just as delicious, if not more, when the flavors have had time to mingle!

Ingredients 

• Ground beef. I like using 93% lean ground beef for most of my ground beef recipes. It provides a flavorful, protein-rich base without excess fat. You can substitute your preferred ground beef. Just be sure to drain any excess fat from the skillet.
• Mild Italian sausage. The fat renders out as the sausage cooks with the ground beef, keeping the dish moist and adding mouthwatering flavor. You can substitute ground pork or extra beef if you’re out of sausage, or use Italian turkey sausage here. 
• Extra virgin olive oil. To sauté the vegetables. 
• Vegetables. Chopped onion, green peppers, mushrooms, and minced garlic create a flavorful, aromatic vegetable medley. 
• Diced tomatoes (undrained). Add an acidic liquid and texture from the chunks of tomatoes. If you have seasoned diced tomatoes, like fire-roasted or Italian-style (with basil, oregano, and garlic) –even better!
• Tomato sauce. Intensifies the tomato flavor and helps create a thick, cohesive dish. A smooth marinara sauce is a good alternative here.
• Rice. It acts as a filling, absorbent component, soaking up the dish’s flavors. You can use jasmine, brown, or basmati rice –just cook the rice until it’s tender and has absorbed the liquid. 
• Seasonings. Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper bring out the irresistible Italian flavor. Adjust these to taste. 
• Italian cheese blend. I used a pre-shredded blend,  but you can use any combination of fresh shredded Italian cheeses for a creamy, melty finish –mozzarella, Parmesan, provolone, etc. 

How to make the best ground beef skillet 

Step 1: Brown the meat. Place a large sauté pan over medium heat. Once hot, add the ground beef and sausage and cook until they are no longer pink. Drain off any excess fat and set aside.

Step 2: Sauté the veggies. Heat the EVOO in the same skillet. Add the onion, green pepper, mushrooms, and garlic, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender.

Step 3: Combine the ingredients. Return the cooked meat to the skillet. Add the undrained canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, and seasonings, and bring the mixture to a boil.

Step 4: Cook the rice. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the rice. Let it simmer, stirring occasionally, until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is cooked through.

Step 5: Melt the cheese. Remove the skillet from the heat. Sprinkle shredded cheese over the top, cover, and let it sit until the cheese melts.

Step 6: Garnish and serve. Garnish with freshly chopped basil or parsley and a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese, if desired, and enjoy!

Recipe tips and FAQs

• Take time chopping your veggies the same size. This helps each piece cook at the same rate, enhancing the dish’s overall texture.
• Drain the excess fat from the skillet after cooking the ground beef and sausage. This step is very important! Otherwise, the dish may end up too greasy.
• Deglaze the skillet after sautéing the meat and cooking the vegetables. Totally optional, however, adding a splash of beef broth or red wine to the pan will help release the flavorful browned bits from the bottom, elevating the depth of flavor of the finished dish. 

Variations

• Leaner protein –  Substitute the ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option that still delivers a satisfying, high-protein skillet dinner. 
• Olive addition – Add sliced green, black, or kalamata olives with the tomatoes for more supreme pizza vibes.
• Add a kick of heat – For a spicier version, use hot Italian sausage instead of mild and/or add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the dish. 
• Rice substitutes – Swap out the rice for other grains like quinoa. Just adjust the cooking time and liquid to suit the grain you choose. 
• Low carb – Skip the rice and serve the ground beef skillet over a bed of warm cauliflower rice, zoodles, or spaghetti squash. 
• Veggie variations – Mix and match the veggies with chopped eggplant, zucchini, or green beans. Stir tender greens like spinach, kale, or peas (fresh or frozen) into the dish during the last few minutes of cooking.

Storing and freezing 

Storing: Portion cooled leftovers in airtight containers and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. 

Freezing: Allow the dish to cool completely, transfer it to a freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

More easy skillet recipes 

• Cheesy Taco Rice Skillet 
• Pesto Chicken Skillet 
• Tarragon Chicken Skillet 
• Sausage Parmesan Zoodle Skillet 

If you love this easy Italian-inspired ground beef skillet recipe, I would be so grateful if you could leave a 5-star 🌟 rating in the recipe card below. I love reading your comments and feedback!

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