Ground Beef Enchilada Skillet

This Ground Beef Enchilada Skillet is everything you love about traditional enchiladas but faster, easier, and healthier! It’s packed with seasoned beef, tender zucchini, and a rich enchilada sauce, all simmered together in one skillet. Topped with your choice of cheesy goodness or nutritional yeast, it’s the perfect fusion of bold flavor and wholesome comfort. Ideal for busy weeknights, this recipe delivers serious flavor without the fuss. No tortillas needed, and no separate baking steps just one skillet, 30 minutes, and dinner is on the table. It’s also naturally gluten-free, grain-free, and customizable for Whole30, dairy-free, or paleo lifestyles.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef

• 1 tbsp avocado oil

• 1/2 white onion, diced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 1/2 cups zucchini, diced

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1 tsp cumin

• 1 tsp chili powder

• 1/4 tsp paprika

• 1/4 tsp dried oregano

• 1/4 cup tomato paste

• 1/2 cup beef broth

• 1/2 cup enchilada sauce

• 1/4 cup nutritional yeast (or shredded cheese if preferred)

• 1/4 cup black olives, sliced

• 1/4 cup green onions, sliced

• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Directions:

1. Heat avocado oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until soft, about 3 minutes.

2. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.

3. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking up with a spatula as it cooks.

4. Add diced zucchini and cook for 3-4 minutes until slightly tender.

5. Season with salt, cumin, chili powder, paprika, and oregano. Stir to combine.

6. Mix in tomato paste and stir well. Add beef broth and enchilada sauce, mixing until evenly combined.

7. Lower the heat and let simmer for 5 minutes to let flavors meld and the sauce thicken.

8. Stir in nutritional yeast (or cheese) and cook for 1-2 minutes until melted and creamy.

9. Top with black olives, green onions, and fresh cilantro before serving.

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes
Kcal: 345 kcal | Servings: 4 servings

One-Pan Ground Beef Enchilada Skillet: A Weeknight Hero

When it comes to weeknight dinners, the magic often lies in simplicity, speed, and bold flavor and this Ground Beef Enchilada Skillet checks every box. Inspired by the rich, zesty flavors of traditional enchiladas but simplified into a one-pan meal, this recipe is a dream come true for busy families, health-conscious eaters, and anyone craving a hearty, comforting dish without the long prep time or messy cleanup.

With a savory mix of seasoned ground beef, tender vegetables, tangy enchilada sauce, and your choice of melted cheese or nutritional yeast, this skillet brings Tex-Mex comfort to your table in just about 30 minutes. It’s naturally gluten-free, low-carb, and easily adaptable to paleo and Whole30 lifestyle so making it not just delicious, but incredibly versatile.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

There are dozens of enchilada-inspired dishes online, but what makes this one stand out is its ability to deliver maximum flavor with minimal effort. Instead of assembling and baking rolled enchiladas (which can be time-consuming and carb-heavy), this recipe breaks down those flavors into a skillet meal you can cook entirely on the stovetop.

Here are just a few reasons to love it:

• One-pan convenience: Fewer dishes, faster cleanup.

• Customizable: Make it cheesy, dairy-free, spicy, or mild however you like it.

• Family-friendly: Bold but not overpowering, this meal is great for kids and adults alike.

• Meal prep-friendly: Stores well in the fridge and reheats beautifully.

• Diet-flexible: Gluten-free, low-carb, and easy to adapt for Whole30 and paleo eaters.

Nutritional Benefits

This dish isn’t just quick and comforting it’s also packed with nutrients that fuel your body and keep you satisfied. Here’s a look at why this meal works from a nutritional standpoint:

High-Quality Protein

Ground beef is a rich source of complete protein, offering essential amino acids needed for muscle repair, energy, and satiety. Choosing lean, grass-fed beef (when available) also boosts omega-3 fatty acid intake and may offer more micronutrients such as vitamin E and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA).

Veggie-Packed Goodness

Zucchini is a star player in this dish, adding texture, fiber, and essential vitamins like A and C all while keeping carbs low. Onion and garlic round out the flavor and contribute to gut-friendly prebiotics and immune-supporting compounds.

Healthy Fats (or Not, Your Choice)

You control the fat content of this dish. Use avocado oil for a healthy dose of monounsaturated fats and anti-inflammatory properties, or go for ghee or coconut oil if you’re leaning into paleo or Whole30.

Low in Refined Carbs

Unlike traditional enchiladas, which are made with flour or corn tortillas, this recipe skips the refined carbs without sacrificing flavor. That makes it a great fit for low-carb, grain-free, or gluten-free lifestyles.

Make It Your Own: Variations & Add-Ons

One of the greatest features of this skillet dinner is its adaptability. Here are some fun and tasty ways to put your personal stamp on it:

Add Beans or Corn (Non-Paleo)

If you’re not following a grain-free or paleo diet, black beans or sweet corn are excellent additions that add bulk and texture.

Amp Up the Veggies

Feel free to toss in extra vegetables like chopped bell peppers, spinach, kale, or riced cauliflower to up the fiber and micronutrient content. This is an easy way to clear out the fridge and boost the health factor.

Make It Spicy

Want to kick it up a notch? Add diced jalapeños, a dash of cayenne pepper, or use a hot enchilada sauce for more heat.

Add Cheese or Keep It Dairy-Free

This recipe is written to accommodate both dairy and dairy-free eaters. If you love gooey, melty cheese, a sprinkle of shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican cheese blend will hit the spot. Prefer to skip the dairy? Nutritional yeast offers that cheesy flavor without any lactose.

Serve Over a Base (Optional)

While the skillet stands strong on its own, you can also serve it:

• Over cauliflower rice (for paleo and low-carb)

• With white or brown rice

• Over roasted sweet potatoes

• In a lettuce wrap

• As a filling for grain-free tortillas

Ideal for Meal Prep

This Ground Beef Enchilada Skillet is one of those dishes that tastes even better the next day. The flavors continue to meld in the fridge, making it a perfect meal-prep option.

Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply pop it in a skillet over medium heat or microwave it until warmed through. It also freezes well for up to 2 months just let it cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container.

Perfect for All Seasons

Whether it’s the dead of winter or the height of summer, this enchilada skillet works all year round. In the cooler months, it offers warm comfort with its rich, savory base. During warmer seasons, you can lighten it up with fresh herbs, serve it in lettuce cups, or top it with diced avocado and lime juice for a refreshing twist.

It’s also a great party or potluck dish. Just double the recipe and keep it warm in a large covered skillet or Dutch oven. The presentation is rustic, hearty, and crowd-pleasing.

Conclusion:

The Ground Beef Enchilada Skillet is more than just another one-pan dinner it’s a go-to solution for when you want real food, real fast. With minimal cleanup, bold flavors, and a ton of flexibility, it’s a dish you’ll find yourself coming back to week after week. Whether you’re gluten-free, low-carb, Whole30, or just hungry, this meal offers a nourishing, satisfying way to enjoy Tex-Mex flavor without the fuss.

So next time you’re staring into the fridge wondering what to make for dinner, grab that pound of ground beef and a can of enchilada sauce you’re only 30 minutes away from something truly delicious.