Description
A quick, easy, and keto-friendly one-pan meal featuring ground beef and broccoli in a creamy, cheesy sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights and low-carb diets.
Ingredients
- 1 pound (450g) ground beef (80/20 preferred)
- 4 cups (300g) broccoli florets, fresh or frozen
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil, extra virgin recommended
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 150g)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
- 1 cup (240ml) low sodium beef broth
- ½ cup (120ml) heavy cream
- 1 cup (100g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or mix of dried basil, oregano, thyme)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: red pepper flakes, mushrooms, bell peppers
Instructions
- Dice the onion, mince the garlic, shred the cheddar if using block cheese, and cut broccoli into bite-sized florets if fresh. Prep all ingredients before cooking.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook about 7 minutes until browned and no longer pink. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer beef to a bowl and set aside, leaving rendered fat in the pan.
- Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the skillet. Sauté diced onion over medium heat until softened and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
- Pour in beef broth and bring to a simmer. Add broccoli florets, cover skillet, and steam for 4-5 minutes until broccoli is tender but still vibrant. Add extra time if using frozen broccoli.
- Return browned beef to skillet. Stir in heavy cream, Dijon mustard, Italian seasoning, and half the shredded cheddar. Reduce heat to low and simmer gently for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally until sauce thickens and coats beef and broccoli.
- Sprinkle remaining cheddar on top, cover skillet, and let cheese melt for 2 minutes. Taste and adjust salt and pepper. Add red pepper flakes if desired.
- Serve hot straight from the skillet. Leftovers reheat well in a skillet with a splash of broth or cream to restore creaminess.
Notes
[‘Do not overcook broccoli; it should be tender but still slightly crunchy.’, ‘Use full-fat heavy cream for best sauce texture; milk or half-and-half will not thicken properly.’, ‘Brown the beef well for added flavor.’, ‘Season in layers: salt beef while cooking and adjust seasoning at the end.’, ‘Freshly shredded cheese melts better than pre-shredded.’, ‘Leftovers reheat best in a skillet with added broth or cream to maintain creaminess.’, ‘Frozen broccoli can be used but may require extra cooking time and draining excess water.’, ‘For dairy-free version, substitute heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk and omit cheese or use dairy-free cheese.’, ‘Ground turkey or chicken can replace beef but expect milder flavor; add extra seasoning if desired.’]
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approxima
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 7
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 32
Keywords: keto, low-carb, hamburger skillet, broccoli skillet, easy dinner, one-pan meal, ground beef, creamy skillet