Zesty Zucchini Noodles with Savory Ground Beef
Elevate your weeknight dinners with this deliciously satisfying Zesty Zucchini Noodles with Savory Ground Beef recipe. This low-calorie, low-carb dish features tender zucchini pasta tossed with perfectly seasoned, lean ground beef, onions, and garlic, creating a flavorful and nutritious meal that the whole family can enjoy. Ideal for those looking for a healthy twist on traditional pasta, this dish is not only simple to prepare but also packed with flavor. Enjoy a guilt-free culinary experience that will leave you feeling full without the extra carbs!
4
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
lean ground beef
400 g (none)
medium onion
1 (chopped)
garlic cloves
3 (minced)
coconut oil
2.5 ml (for cooking)
chili powder
5 g (none)
cumin powder
5 g (none)
zucchini
800 g (spiralized or cut into noodles)
low sodium salt
2.5 g (to taste)
Instructions
1
In a large pan, heat the coconut oil over medium heat until melted.
2
Add the lean ground beef to the pan and cook until browned. Drain any excess fat to reduce calorie content.
3
While the beef is cooking, prepare the zucchini noodles using a spiralizer or your chosen method.
4
In a food processor or manually chop the onion and mince the garlic.
5
Once the beef is cooked and drained, add the chili powder, cumin powder, and low sodium salt to the beef, stirring to combine the spices thoroughly.
6
Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pan with the beef. Cook, covered, and stir occasionally until the onions are soft and translucent.
7
Remove the ground beef mixture from the pan and set aside, keeping warm.
8
In the same pan, add the prepared zucchini noodles and cook for about 1 minute until just tender, but still al dente.
9
Return the cooked ground beef mixture to the pan with the zucchini noodles. Gently toss everything together to allow the zucchini to absorb the flavors of the beef and spices.
10
Remove from heat and serve immediately. Enjoy your zesty and healthy zucchini pasta!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zesty Zucchini Noodles with Savory Ground Beef?
It is a low-calorie, low-carb dish that features tender zucchini noodles tossed with perfectly seasoned lean ground beef, onions, and garlic.
Is this recipe suitable for a low-carb diet?
Yes, this dish is specifically designed to be low-carb by replacing traditional pasta with zucchini noodles.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes 4 servings.
What type of meat is used in this dish?
The recipe calls for 400 grams of lean ground beef.
How do I prepare the zucchini?
The zucchini should be spiralized or cut into thin noodles.
What spices are used to season the beef?
The beef is seasoned with chili powder, cumin powder, and low sodium salt.
What type of oil is recommended for cooking?
The recipe uses 2.5 ml of coconut oil for cooking.
How long should I cook the zucchini noodles?
Cook the zucchini noodles for about 1 minute until they are just tender but still al dente.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, the tags indicate there is a vegetarian option, likely by substituting the beef with a plant-based alternative.
How many calories are in this dish?
While specific calorie counts aren't listed in the raw data, the dish is described as a low-calorie meal.
How much garlic is needed?
The recipe requires 3 minced garlic cloves.
What size onion should I use?
One medium onion, chopped, is used for this recipe.
Should I drain the fat from the beef?
Yes, the instructions suggest browning the beef and then draining any excess fat to reduce calorie content.
How much chili powder should be added?
Add 5 grams of chili powder to the beef mixture.
How much cumin powder is required?
The recipe calls for 5 grams of cumin powder.
Is this recipe considered a quick meal?
Yes, it is tagged as a quick meal, making it ideal for weeknight dinners.
How should the onions and garlic be cooked?
They should be added to the pan with the beef and cooked covered, stirring occasionally until the onions are soft and translucent.
Should the zucchini be cooked in the same pan as the beef?
Yes, after removing the beef mixture, the zucchini is cooked in the same pan to pick up the flavors.
Is this dish family-friendly?
Yes, it is tagged as family-friendly and nutritious for all ages.
What is the weight of the zucchini needed?
The recipe requires 800 grams of zucchini.
What is the final step of the recipe?
The final step is to return the ground beef to the pan with the zucchini noodles, toss them together, and serve immediately.
Does this recipe use low sodium ingredients?
Yes, it specifically calls for 2.5 grams of low sodium salt.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Since it uses zucchini noodles instead of wheat pasta and natural spices, it is naturally gluten-free.
How do I ensure the zucchini noodles absorb the flavor?
By tossing the cooked ground beef mixture back into the pan with the noodles, the zucchini will absorb the beef and spice flavors.
What texture should the zucchini noodles have?
They should be cooked until tender but still al dente to avoid becoming mushy.
Can I use a food processor for prep?
Yes, the instructions mention you can use a food processor to chop the onion.
How much salt should I add?
The recipe suggests 2.5 grams of low sodium salt, or to taste.
What is the primary vegetable in this dish?
The primary vegetable is zucchini, categorized under the Vegetable category.
How many individual ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 8 distinct ingredients in this recipe.
Is the coconut oil melted before adding beef?
Yes, the coconut oil should be heated over medium heat until melted before adding the ground beef.