Creamy Mediterranean Ground Beef with Veggies and Herbs
This dish features savory ground beef simmered in a creamy, herb-infused Mediterranean sauce with sautéed vegetables. It’s rich yet light, fragrant with garlic, oregano, parsley, and lemon, and filled with veggies like zucchini, bell pepper, and spinach.It pairs beautifully with rice, couscous, pita, quinoa, or even mashed potatoes. A perfect 30-minute comforting dinner!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 3–4 people
Ingredients
Ground Beef Mixture
400–500 g lean ground beef
1 tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
½ tsp salt, to taste
¼ tsp black pepper
½ tsp paprika
½ tsp dried oregano
½ tsp dried thyme
¼ tsp cumin
Veggies
1 medium zucchini, diced
1 small red or yellow bell pepper, diced
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
1 cup baby spinach or chopped kale
Creamy Mediterranean Sauce
½ cup Greek yogurt (full-fat recommended)
¼ cup cream or evaporated milk
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp tahini
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
1 tbsp fresh dill or mint, chopped
¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
For Serving
Rice, quinoa, couscous, pita bread, or roasted potatoes
Extra parsley or lemon wedges
Instructions
1. Cook the Ground Beef
Heat olive oil in a large pan.
Add the onion and sauté 2–3 minutes until soft.
Add garlic, cook 30 seconds.
Add ground beef, breaking it apart as it cooks.
Season with salt, pepper, paprika, oregano, thyme, and cumin.
Cook until browned and no moisture remains (6–7 minutes).
2. Add the Vegetables
Add diced zucchini, bell pepper, and mushrooms.
Cook 4–5 minutes until vegetables soften.
Add the spinach last and cook until wilted.
3. Make the Creamy Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together:
Greek yogurt
cream or evaporated milk
lemon juice
tahini
Turn the heat to low. Add the sauce to the pan.
Stir continuously until smooth and creamy.
(Do NOT boil or yogurt may separate.)
Add fresh parsley, dill, and feta cheese.
Simmer gently for 2 minutes until creamy and warmed through.
4. Serve
Spoon the creamy beef mixture over:
warm rice
couscous
quinoa
mashed potatoes
or inside a warm pita
Top with:
a drizzle of lemon juice
fresh herbs
extra feta
Notes & Tips
For non-spicy version (your preference): Keep paprika mild and skip chili flakes.
Extra creaminess: Add 1–2 tbsp cream cheese or ricotta.
Healthier version: Use more veggies and replace cream with extra Greek yogurt.
Thicker sauce: Add 1 tsp cornstarch to the cream before mixing.
Ground meat options: Works beautifully with turkey, chicken, or lamb.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes — replace yogurt with coconut yogurt and skip feta.
Q2: Why did my yogurt curdle?
Heat was too high. Always add yogurt on low heat.
Q3: Can I meal prep this?
Yes! It stays great for 3–4 days in the fridge.
Add a splash of cream when reheating to restore the sauce.
Q4: Can I add potatoes or carrots?
Yes — saute them earlier or parboil first.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 420
Protein: 31 g
Fat: 25 g
Carbs: 15 g
Fiber: 3 g
Sugar: 5 g
Sodium: 320 mg