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Italian Ground Beef Skillet

This high-protein Italian Ground Beef Skillet Recipe features lean ground beef, Italian sausage, fresh veggies, and rice, all simmered in a flavorful tomato sauce. Topped with gooey melted cheese, this 30-minute one-pan meal tastes like supreme pizza in a bowl!  

a cooked Italian beef skillet with a sprig of fresh basil on top with a cutting board with a block of parmesan and fresh parsley behind it

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 

ingredients to make a ground beef skillet measured out on a counter
  • 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 

photos of the four steps to making a ground beef one dish meal in a 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!

holding up a cheesy spoonful of Italian ground beef skillet

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.
Should you add ground beef to a hot skillet?

Yes! Before adding ground beef, always preheat your skillet over medium heat. Adding it to a cold skillet may steam rather than brown, resulting in a less appetizing dish. The instant sizzle sears the meat properly, locking in the flavorful juices.

How long does it take to brown ground beef in a skillet?

The exact time can vary based on the skillet size and the beef’s initial temperature, but it typically takes about 6-8 minutes to brown ground beef in a skillet over medium heat.  Cook until the meat is no longer pink and has a nice brown crust for the best flavor.

What type of skillet is best for this recipe?

A large, heavy-bottomed cast iron or stainless steel skillet is best for cooking ground beef. They distribute heat evenly and maintain high temperatures, ensuring nicely seared, evenly cooked meat.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Yes! Prepare the recipe as directed, let it cool, then portion it in airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stove over medium heat or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or broth if needed.

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.

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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side view of a skillet meal made with ground beef, Italian pork sausage, tomatoes, spices, and cheese
a one-dish skillet with ground beef and Italian pork sausage, rice, tomtatoes, cheese and herbs

Italian Ground Beef Skillet

This high-protein skillet meal made with lean ground beef, Italian sausage, vegetables, and rice tastes like supreme pizza in a bowl and ready in 30 minutes!
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 375kcal
Author: Amee

Equipment

  • Large non-stick skillet

Ingredients

  • 1 lb 93% lean ground beef
  • ½ lb mild Italian sausage casings removed (you can also use ground Italian turkey sausage, ground pork or more ground beef instead of the sausage)
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • ¾ cup onion chopped
  • 1 large green pepper seeded and chopped
  • 1 cup fresh mushrooms chopped
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 15 oz can diced tomatoes undrained
  • 8 oz can tomato sauce
  • cups cooked rice *I use Jasmine or brown rice
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp pepper
  • ½ cup shredded Italian cheese blend

Instructions

  • Heat a large saute pan over medium heat and cook the ground beef and Italian sausage until no longer pink, about 8-10 minutes. Drain off excess fat and set aside.
  • Add the EVOO to the skillet and cook the onion, green pepper, mushrooms, and garlic until soft, stirring occasionally, about 5-7 minutes. 
  • Add the beef and sausage back to the pan and stir to combine. 
  • Add the undrained tomatoes, tomato sauce, and seasonings. Stir and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and add the rice.
  • Cook for 5 minutes more, stirring occasionally, until the liquid is absorbed. 
  • Remove from the heat, sprinkle with cheese, cover, and let it sit until the cheese has melted.
  • Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and grated parmesan cheese, if desired.

Notes

*Sliced green or black olives are a delicious addition to this dish! Just add them in with the tomatoes. 
*See the “variations” section of the post for substitutions to adjust the macros and more delicious recipe twists!
 

Nutrition

Calories: 375kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 83mg | Sodium: 1056mg | Potassium: 763mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 418IU | Vitamin C: 34mg | Calcium: 107mg | Iron: 4mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @ameecooks or tag #ameecooks!

 

Amee Livingston
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6 Comments

  1. Made this with fire roasted romas from the garden, tomato sauce from the garden. and baby bella mushrooms, It was to die for. great recipe!

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