Home & Kitchen with Caraway
Key Takeaways
Lean ground beef pairs well with fresh vegetables and simple seasonings for balanced, flavorful meals.
Using the right cookware makes healthier cooking easier, faster, and more enjoyable.
Versatile recipes like these can be adapted for meal prep, dietary preferences, and busy weeknights.
Ground beef gets a bad rap, but with the right recipes, it can be a lean, protein-packed staple in a balanced diet. At Caraway , we’re all about making home cooking healthier without losing the comfort factor, and ground beef is one of those ingredients that’s endlessly versatile.
We’re talking about weeknight tacos that don’t require a drive-thru, veggie-packed pasta sauces that come together in minutes, or skillet meals that taste indulgent but skip the extra grease. The trick is in how you cook it and what you cook it with.
Choosing leaner blends, adding fresh herbs and colorful vegetables, and using non-toxic, even-heating cookware can turn an everyday pound of beef into something you’ll actually feel good about serving.
Whether you’re feeding a family, meal-prepping for the week, or just looking for quick dinner wins, these recipes hit that sweet spot where comfort meets healthy eating.
Bright, colorful, and full of flavor, this dish brings together ground beef, zucchini , bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and a sprinkle of feta. Everything cooks in one pan, so cleanup is as quick as dinner.
How to make it:
Heat olive oil in a saute pan over medium heat.
Brown ground beef, breaking it up with a spatula.
Add chopped zucchini, bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes.
Season with oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Cook until veggies are tender, then finish with lemon juice and crumbled feta.
This one’s great for using up whatever’s in the crisper drawer. Swap the veggies based on what you’ve got, and it’ll still taste amazing.
All the comfort of a big bowl of chili , but a little fresher and lighter so you don’t feel like you need a nap after.
How to make it:
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
Brown the beef, then add onions, peppers, and garlic.
Stir in chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika.
Add beans, crushed tomatoes, and a splash of beef broth.
Simmer uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes so the flavors come together.
Make it your own by adding toppings like shredded cheese, chopped cilantro, or a dollop of plain Greek yogurt instead of sour cream .
It’s rich, saucy, and satisfying, but with zucchini noodles instead of pasta, it’s a lighter take you can eat any night of the week.
How to make it:
Heat olive oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat.
Cook beef with onion, carrot, and celery until browned.
Add garlic, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and Italian seasoning.
Simmer 15 to 20 minutes so the sauce thickens.
Sauté zucchini noodles briefly, then serve with the sauce and fresh basil.
You can also toss in a handful of spinach or mushrooms to boost the veggies without changing the flavor.
Crisp lettuce leaves filled with spiced beef and fresh toppings—basically all the best parts of a gyro without the bread.
How to make it:
Brown beef with garlic, oregano, and a pinch of cinnamon.
Spoon into butter lettuce leaves.
Add cucumber, tomato, red onion, and tzatziki on top.
They’re great for a weeknight dinner but also work well for entertaining. Just set everything out and let people build their own.
Roasted sweet potatoes replace the usual rice base, giving taco night a colorful twist and a hint of natural sweetness.
How to make it:
Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss diced sweet potatoes with oil and taco seasoning, then roast on a baking sheet for 25 to 30 minutes.
Brown the beef with more taco seasoning.
Build bowls with sweet potatoes, beef, beans, corn, avocado, and salsa.
These are easy to meal prep. Roast a big batch of sweet potatoes ahead of time and just reheat when you’re ready to eat.
Saucy, savory, and ready in less time than it takes to scroll a takeout app.
How to make it:
Mix soy sauce, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and a little honey.
Heat oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat.
Cook onions briefly, then add beef until just browned.
Toss in broccoli and cook until tender-crisp.
Add the sauce and stir until everything’s coated.
Serve over rice, cauliflower rice, soba noodles, or whatever you’ve got on hand.
Once your ground beef recipe has cooled to room temperature, transfer it to an airtight container to keep flavors fresh and prevent fridge odors from creeping in. Properly stored, cooked ground beef will last up to four days in the refrigerator or two to three months in the freezer.
Our Caraway Airtight Storage Set is perfect for locking in freshness. The glass base makes it easy to reheat without switching containers, and the stackable design saves precious fridge space.
Having a few tools on hand can make chopping, measuring, and mixing a whole lot faster. Our Caraway Kitchen Gadget Set includes everything from a sturdy garlic press to measuring spoons and a safe, easy-to-grip peeler, so you can get from prep to cooking without rummaging for mismatched utensils.
Pre-chop onions, mince garlic, and measure out spices before you start cooking, and you’ll breeze through each recipe without feeling rushed.
Most ground beef recipes are flexible. If you’re avoiding dairy, swap cheese or cream-based toppings for avocado, nutritional yeast, or dairy-free yogurt. Gluten-free eaters can replace pasta with zucchini noodles or rice.
For lower sodium, use low-salt broth and make your own seasoning blends. Since ground beef is naturally gluten-free, it’s a great starting point for customizing meals—just adjust sauces, sides, and garnishes to fit your needs without losing flavor.
We believe healthy cooking should feel as easy and natural as it does delicious. Ground beef might be an everyday ingredient, but when you pair it with fresh produce, smart seasonings, and non-toxic cookware, it turns into a foundation for colorful, nutrient-packed meals you can feel great about serving.
Our cookware is designed to help you cook cleaner. It is free from harmful chemicals, evenly heated for better results, and effortless to clean, so you can spend more time enjoying your food. It’s the kind of upgrade that makes healthier eating a habit, not a hassle.
These recipes are proof that comfort food can be wholesome, vibrant, and crave-worthy all at once. With a little prep, your favorite pan, and fresh ingredients, you’re ready to bring more joy (and flavor) into every meal.
Sources:
Sour Cream vs. Greek Yogurt: Health Benefits and Substitutions | MasterClass
5 Health Benefits of Zucchini “ Cleveland Clinic
Shop to earn more entries
+500 Entries
+1,500 Entries
+3,000 Entries
Spend $475+
Spend $775+
Spend $975+
$100K Dream Kitchen Sweepstakes
Complete your purchase and claim 0 entries to win
Free Shipping On Orders $90+
Free Returns
30-Day Trial
Earn 2x entries on Sets and Bundles.
+500 Entries
+1,500 Entries
+3,000 Entries
Spend $475+
Spend $775+
Spend $975+
$100k Dream Kitchen Sweepstakes
Earn 2x entries on Sets and Bundles.
+500 Entries
+1,500 Entries
+3,000 Entries
Spend $475+
Spend $775+
Spend $975+