The Ultimate Quinoa Beef and Broccoli Skillet (Easy 25-Minute Meal!)

Imagine all the savory, delicious flavors of a classic beef and broccoli stir-fry, but reinvented into a wholesome, hearty, and unbelievably easy one-skillet meal. That, my friends, is the simple, brilliant magic of this Quinoa Beef and Broccoli skillet. It’s a complete, satisfying dinner, packed with savory ground beef, tender-crisp vegetables, and fluffy quinoa, all coming together in just 25 minutes. It is, without a doubt, the ultimate weeknight dinner hero.

Here’s the thing about a great weeknight meal: it needs to be fast, nutritious, and something the whole family will actually eat. This recipe is a slam dunk on all three counts. I created this for those busy evenings when I need a healthy, protein-packed meal on the table in a hurry. It’s my go-to for a “clean out the fridge” kind of night that still tastes incredibly intentional and delicious.

I promise you, there is no greater feeling than sitting down to a colorful, flavorful bowl that you know is packed with goodness and was ridiculously easy to make. The savory ground beef, the earthy broccoli and sweet carrots, and the protein-rich quinoa create a perfect, balanced harmony. It’s a simple, satisfying meal that will become an instant favorite.

Get ready to master your new favorite 25-minute skillet dinner, a dish that proves healthy and fast can be absolutely delicious.

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Why This Quinoa Skillet Will Be Your New Weeknight Go-To!

You are going to be completely amazed by how much flavor and satisfaction is packed into this quick and easy skillet meal. This recipe is a true game-changer. Here’s why:

• A True 25-Minute, One-Skillet Meal: From start to finish, this entire, complete meal comes together in one pan, making it perfect for busy nights with minimal cleanup.
• Healthy, Hearty, and Balanced: This dish is a nutritional powerhouse, packed with lean protein from the beef, complex carbs and fiber from the quinoa, and tons of vitamins from the colorful vegetables.
• Classic Flavors Everyone Loves: The savory combination of garlic, beef, broccoli, and a touch of soy sauce is a timeless flavor profile that is a guaranteed hit with the whole family.
• Perfect for Meal Prep: This recipe makes fantastic leftovers! Portion it out for a week of delicious, healthy, and satisfying grab-and-go lunches.
• Simple, Pantry-Staple Ingredients: You only need a handful of common, easy-to-find ingredients to create this incredibly flavorful and wholesome meal.

Recipe Snapshot

Your Shopping List for This Easy Skillet Dinner

This recipe uses simple, wholesome ingredients to create a quick and satisfying meal. Here’s what you’ll need:

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→ For the Skillet

• 1 lb lean ground beef → The savory, protein-packed base.
• 1 cup uncooked quinoa → We’ll cook this separately while prepping.
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup broccoli florets → Cut into small, bite-sized pieces.
• 1 cup chopped carrots
• 1 cup baby spinach → Wilts down perfectly and adds a great boost of iron.
• 2 spring onions → Chopped, for a fresh, mild onion flavor.
• 2 tsp garlic powder & 1 tsp onion powder → For seasoning the beef.
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes → Optional, for a touch of heat.

Let’s Get Cooking! Your 25-Minute Guide

This entire, delicious meal comes together in a flash. For the fastest results, start your quinoa cooking first!

Part 1: Cook the Quinoa and Beef

1. Cook the Quinoa: In a small pot, combine 1 cup of rinsed, uncooked quinoa with 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer until the water is absorbed. Remove from the heat and let it sit, covered, for 10 minutes before fluffing with a fork.
2. Brown the Beef: While the quinoa cooks, add the ground beef, garlic powder, and onion powder to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook, breaking the meat apart with a spatula, until it’s no longer pink. Drain off any excess grease. Transfer the cooked beef to a plate and set aside.

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Part 2: Cook the Veggies and Combine

3. Sauté the Veggies: In the same skillet, heat the olive oil and minced garlic over medium-high heat for 1 minute until fragrant. Add the broccoli florets and chopped carrots and cook for 2 minutes. Pour in ¼ cup of water, cover, and let the vegetables steam until they are tender-crisp.
4. Wilt the Greens: Add the baby spinach and chopped spring onions to the skillet. Cook for 1 minute, stirring, until the spinach just begins to wilt.
5. Bring It All Together: Add the cooked ground beef, the 1 cup of cooked quinoa, the soy sauce, and the red pepper flakes (if using) back into the skillet. Mix everything together and cook for 1 more minute until heated through.
6. Serve: Serve immediately, with extra soy sauce on the side if desired.

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WiseRecipes’ Top Tips for Perfect Skillet Success

These simple secrets will ensure your one-pan meal is flavorful and perfectly cooked.

1. Start the Quinoa First. Quinoa takes about 15-20 minutes to cook and rest. Get it on the stove first, and it will be perfectly cooked and ready right when you need to add it to the skillet.
2. Don’t Stir the Quinoa! For the fluffiest quinoa, resist the urge to stir it while it’s simmering. Just let it do its thing, and then let it sit covered off the heat for 10 minutes. This allows it to steam and absorb the final bits of moisture.
3. Drain the Beef Grease. After browning your ground beef, be sure to drain off any excess fat. A clever trick is to push the meat to one side of the skillet, tilt the pan, and use a folded paper towel held with tongs to sop up the grease from the empty side.
4. The Water-Steam Trick for Veggies. Adding that ¼ cup of water to the skillet with the hard vegetables (broccoli and carrots) and covering the pan is a great shortcut. It allows them to steam and become tender-crisp much faster than just stir-frying alone.
5. Add Spinach at the Very End. Baby spinach wilts in a matter of seconds. Add it at the very last moment before you combine all the ingredients to ensure it stays vibrant green and doesn’t become overcooked and mushy.

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One-Skillet Quinoa Beef and Broccoli

This easy Quinoa Beef and Broccoli skillet is a healthy, hearty, and complete meal that comes together in one pan in just 25 minutes! Perfect for a busy weeknight dinner or for meal prepping lunches for the week.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Servings: 6

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American, Asian-Inspired

Calories: 448

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 cup uncooked quinoa yields about 3 cups cooked
• 1 lb. ground beef
• 2 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 tsp. onion powder
• 1 Tbsp. olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 1 cup chopped carrots
• 1 cup baby spinach
• 2 spring onions, chopped
• 2 Tbsp. soy sauce
• 1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes to serve

Equipment

• Large Skillet
• Small pot with lid
• Spatula

Method

 

1. Cook quinoa: Add 1 cup uncooked quinoa and 2 cups water to a pot. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer until water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let sit, covered, for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
2. Meanwhile, add ground beef, garlic powder, and onion powder to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and crumble until browned. Drain excess grease and transfer beef to a plate.
3. Add olive oil and minced garlic to the same skillet over medium-high heat and cook for 1 minute. Add broccoli and carrots and cook for 2 minutes. Add ¼ cup of water, cover, and steam until tender-crisp.
4. Add the baby spinach and chopped spring onions and cook for 1 minute, until spinach begins to wilt.
5. Add back the cooked ground beef, the cooked quinoa, soy sauce, and red pepper flakes. Mix everything together and cook for 1 minute until heated through. Serve immediately.

Notes

Meal Prep: This is a perfect recipe for meal prepping lunches. Simply divide the finished skillet mixture among 6 airtight containers and store in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Note: The nutritional information provided is an estimate and is per serving.

Keep It Fresh! Storing and Meal Prep

This skillet meal is an absolute champion for meal prep, making your week of lunches a breeze.

• Meal Prep: Once cooked, divide the Quinoa Beef and Broccoli mixture evenly among 4-6 airtight meal prep containers. Let them cool, then seal and store in the refrigerator.
• Refrigerator: The leftovers will keep beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days, making it a perfect, healthy grab-and-go lunch option.
• Reheating: Simply microwave an individual portion for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through.

FAQs: Your Skillet Dinner Questions, Answered!

Can I use a different kind of ground meat?

Yes, absolutely! This recipe is fantastic with lean ground turkey or ground chicken for an even lighter version. Just be sure to brown it well as directed.

Can I use a different grain instead of quinoa?

Of course. This dish works wonderfully with cooked brown rice, farro, or even orzo pasta. Just cook your grain of choice separately according to package directions and add it in at the end.

Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Easily! To make a delicious vegetarian version, simply omit the ground beef and add a can of rinsed black beans or chickpeas instead. You can add them in at the very end with the quinoa and soy sauce, just to heat them through.

How can I add more flavor?

This is a great base recipe! For more flavor, you could add a teaspoon of grated fresh ginger with the garlic, or a drizzle of toasted sesame oil at the very end when you add the soy sauce. A squeeze of fresh lime juice would also be a fantastic, bright finish.

Final Thoughts: Your New Weeknight Workhorse

There is nothing more satisfying than finding a recipe that is fast, healthy, easy, and genuinely delicious. This Quinoa Beef and Broccoli skillet is the definition of a weeknight workhorse. It’s a complete, balanced meal that comes together in one pan and is perfect for busy families and meal preppers alike. I hope it becomes a new favorite in your dinner rotation. Happy cooking!