Beef Broccoli
This is the dish I make when I want beef and broccoli and I do not want a takeout sauce. Ground beef browns with onion and garlic, sweet potato cubes and broccoli go in with a little broth, and a modest layer of cheese melts on top until it spots gold. That is the cross-section in the photo: meat, green florets, orange cubes, and a browned cheese cap.
The sweet potato needs a head start or it stays firm under the broccoli. Par-cook it, or give it 10 minutes in the pan before the broccoli goes in. Broccoli should be just tender, not gray. Cheese is the top, not a thick blanket through the filling. Too much and you lose the vegetables in the cut. A hot oven at the end is what browns the surface. A covered pan the whole time steams it pale.
It feeds four. Rest it 5 minutes before you cut or spoon it, so the cheese sets and the filling holds a piece.
Why You'll Love This
- One pan, ready in 40 minutes.
- Looks like the photo: beef, broccoli, sweet potato, gold cheese.
- No heavy sauce.
- A full plate, not a side.
Anti-Inflammatory & Mediterranean Recipes
Beef Broccoli
- Prep15 min
- Cook25 min
- Total40 min
- Servings4 servings
- Calories420 kcal
Ingredients
- Filling
- Top
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 400 F (200 C).
- Heat the olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high. Add the beef and onion. Cook 6 minutes, breaking it up, until the beef is browned. Drain extra fat if there is a lot. Add the garlic for 30 seconds.
- Add the sweet potato, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, paprika, and broth. Cover and cook 8 minutes.
- Stir in the broccoli. Cook 3 minutes, until it is bright and just tender.
- Scatter the mozzarella and Parmesan over the top. Bake 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and spotted gold.
- Rest 5 minutes. Spoon onto plates.
Notes & Tips
- Small sweet potato dice. Large cubes stay hard after the broccoli is done.
- Do not overcook the broccoli in the pan. It finishes in the oven.
- Cheese on top only. Mixed through, it disappears and the top stays pale.
- Rest before you serve. Hot cheese runs and the piece falls apart.
- Nutrition: Per serving (1/4 of the skillet). Estimate.
- Nutrition: Net carbohydrates: 13g
- Nutrition: WW estimate: 10 points on the current plan (beef and cheese carry the points; broccoli and sweet potato are the light part)
- Fridge: 3 days, covered. Reheat covered in a low oven so the broccoli does not dry. The cheese will not look as fresh.
- Freeze: up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge and warm covered.
- Nutrition is an estimate from lean ground beef, broccoli, sweet potato, mozzarella, Parmesan, and olive oil.
- ## The Secret to Even Cubes
- Cut the sweet potato smaller than you think. A 1/2-inch dice finishes with the broccoli. A 1-inch chunk is still firm when the cheese is already brown, and then you are choosing between raw potato and gray florets. Small cubes, in with the broth, are what give you the orange pieces in the photo.
Variations & serving ideas
- No sweet potato: use diced carrot. Same timing.
- No mozzarella: provolone melts the same way.
- Lighter: use half the cheese. The filling still holds.
- Higher protein: use 1 1/4 lb beef, or add a handful of white beans.
- Dairy-free: skip the cheese and finish with parsley and a thread of olive oil. It will not look like the photo.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving · makes 4 servings
| Nutrient | Amount per serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 420 kcal |
| Total fat | 25 g |
| Sodium | 620 mg |
| Total carbohydrate | 16 g |
| Fibre | 3 g |
| Protein | 32 g |
Nutrition values are approximate and vary with brands and portion sizes.
Frequently asked questions
What beef works best?
Lean ground beef, 90% or so. A fattier grind needs a drain, or the cheese sits in a pool of fat.
Can I make it ahead?
Brown the beef and cook the filling up to a day ahead. Add the cheese and bake when you are ready to eat. Add 5 minutes if the filling is cold.
How do I make it heartier?
Add another cup of broccoli, or a drained can of white beans with the florets. A side salad turns it into a bigger plate without more cheese.
More questions about this recipe
How long does it take to make Beef Broccoli?
About 40 minutes in total: 15 minutes of prep and 25 minutes of cooking.
What ingredients do I need for Beef Broccoli?
The key ingredients include lean ground beef, beef, mozzarella, parmesan, onion and garlic. The recipe card lists every ingredient with exact amounts.
How many servings does this recipe make?
It makes 4 servings.
How many calories are in one serving?
According to the recipe's nutrition information, one serving has about 420 calories, 32 g protein, 16 g carbohydrates and 25 g fat.
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