Mediterranean Diet Savory Ground Meat and Vegetable Skillet

Bursting with vibrant Mediterranean flavors, this Savory Ground Meat and Vegetable Skillet is a wholesome one-pan meal that’s as nutritious as it is delicious. Featuring lean ground beef or lamb, a medley of tender zucchini, eggplant, and red bell pepper, and aromatic spices like cumin and cinnamon, this dish is a perfect fit for the Mediterranean diet. Simmered with tomato paste and diced tomatoes for a rich, robust base, it’s finished with fresh spinach, parsley, and a bright splash of lemon juice. Quick to prepare in just 50 minutes, this skillet creation is a perfect weeknight dinner option that’s hearty, satisfying, and packed with fiber, protein, and antioxidants. Serve it as a standalone meal or pair it with a side of quinoa, rice, or crusty whole-grain bread for a complete Mediterranean-inspired feast. Optimize your healthy eating journey with this easy, flavorful recipe!

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 pound lean ground beef or lamb
• 1 medium zucchini, diced
• 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
• 1 small eggplant, diced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 13.5-ounce can canned diced tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups baby spinach
• 0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 lemon, juiced

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the ground beef or lamb to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned, about 7-8 minutes.

Step 5

Stir in the zucchini, red bell pepper, and eggplant, and cook for another 5 minutes until they start to soften.

Step 6

Mix the tomato paste into the skillet, then pour in the diced tomatoes with their juices.

Step 7

Season the mixture with cumin, cinnamon, oregano, salt, and black pepper.

Step 8

Simmer the skillet gently, stirring occasionally, for about 15 minutes or until the vegetables are tender and the flavors combine well.

Step 9

Add the baby spinach to the skillet and cook until just wilted, about 2 minutes.

Step 10

Stir in the fresh parsley and lemon juice before serving.

Step 11

Serve hot, and enjoy this Mediterranean Diet savory dish!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1634.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1794.3

Total Fat 119.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 38.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.3g
Cholesterol 370.5mg	0%
Sodium 3329.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 67.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 23.0g	0%
Total Sugars 35.7g
Protein 133.4g	0%

Vitamin D 31.8IU	0%
Calcium 566.7mg	0%
Iron 24.6mg	0%
Potassium 4392.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 57.3%

Protein: 28.4%

Carbs: 14.3%