20 minute zucchini and ground beef stir fry recipe

I remember eating something like Hamburger Helper (or Tuna Helper) as a kid. I am sick of) on a regular basis. This MSG-, hydrolyzed corn-, protein-infused one-pan dish was a staple in the ’80s. My friends and I lamented its existence more than the equally processed school lunches. Clearly, we hadn’t been taught our own dietary rules to cure our picky eaters at the time.

As the saying goes, “If you know better, you can do better,” and I’ll be honest, I’ve never bought Hamburger Helper from the grocery store, though I can understand the appeal.

A meal that can be made in 20 minutes with just 1 pound of meat? Please!

Stir-fried ground beef is better than takeout

Hamburger Helper certainly had one advantage…convenience. The low price and easy preparation are no doubt one of the main reasons why Hamburger Helper has become so popular (although it does taste… not so good). An easy beef stir fry is the perfect weeknight dinner that even the pickiest eaters will love.

With just a few simple, inexpensive real ingredients, you can replace pre-made one-pan meals with more nutritious options. You could also use gluten-free noodles or shirataki noodles instead of regular noodles, but this recipe is a great way to get more veggies into your diet. I always love creating new recipes, and this one is now a favorite with my kids.

Turning vegetables into noodles

I often use Our Spiralizer This recipe slices zucchini into thin noodles. If you don’t have a spiralizer, buy one. It’s a magical trick that will get kids to love growing and eating vegetables.

Another benefit of this recipe is that it is quick and easy to prepare. My kids love being able to help prepare this recipe, and my older kids can now prepare it all by themselves without my help.

This simple stir fry is a staple in our meal planning and one of the dishes I often make on busy nights when I don’t have anything else to cook. I usually use beef for the ground meat, but you could also use ground turkey or chicken if you have it on hand.

Stir-fried ground beef variations

Zucchini is our favorite veggie for this recipe, but you can use whatever veggies you have on hand. Some veggies our readers have used and loved include carrots, yellow squash, kohlrabi, and sweet potatoes.

You can also mix different spices together for an entirely different flavor experience – here are some of our favorites:

• 2 teaspoons of cumin Chili powderTop with salsa, sour cream and cheese for a Tex-Mex flavor.
• to add Italian seasoning You can also add a can of diced tomatoes, red pepper flakes if you like it spicy, or Parmesan cheese on top for an Italian flair.
• use Curry powder Add a little in place of the spices listed Coconut milk It has a deep, rustic flavor.
• Try it toasted sesame oil Instead of butter, add a little garlic. Coconut Aminos It will have a flavor similar to tamagoyaki (similar to soy sauce).
• For an Asian twist, add red bell peppers and broccoli florets. Garnish with a little sesame seeds and rice vinegar.

More Topping Ideas

• Spring onion
• Grated ginger
• Snap peas
• Sriracha sauce or stir-fry sauce

We’ve started eating grains in my house, so I often serve stir-fries over white rice. My favorite is jasmine rice, but I also have cauliflower rice (which is a veggie), which I actually prefer over brown rice (here’s why).

So here’s our favourite beef and zucchini stir fry recipe…

For an even easier weeknight meal, try these Asian Lettuce Wraps or Korean Beef Bowl.

What’s your favorite stir fry recipe? Share it below!