20-Minute Ground Beef and Chickpea Skillet

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An Easy, High-Protein Dinner You’ll Make on Repeat

Looking for a fast, flavorful, and protein-packed ground beef recipe that’s ready in under 30 minutes? This 20-minute ground beef and chickpea skillet is a weeknight dinner hero. It’s inspired by Indian-style keema chole, a comforting mix of spiced ground meat and chickpeas popular across Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh.

Whether you’re tired of pasta or need a simple meal with pantry staples, this dish delivers bold flavor without the fuss. Best of all? It only takes one pan and keeps well for leftovers—making it ideal for meal prep too.

🌟 Why You’ll Love This 20-Minute Ground Beef Dinner

  • ✅ Ready in 20 Minutes

  • ✅ One-Pan Meal = Less Cleanup

  • ✅ Packed with Protein & Fiber (hello, chickpeas + ground beef!)

  • ✅ Uses Pantry Staples

  • ✅ Customizable with Easy Swaps

🧄 Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s everything for this quick and easy ground beef skillet dinner:

  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil

  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 or 85/15)

  • 2 (14 oz) cans chickpeas, drained

  • 2 tsp grated garlic (about 2 cloves)

  • 2 tsp grated fresh ginger (thumb-sized piece)

  • 1 tsp onion powder

  • 1 tsp ground cumin

  • 1 ½ tsp garam masala

  • 1 ½ tsp salt

  • 1 tsp black pepper

  • 2 tbsp tomato paste

  • ⅔ cup water

🍳 How to Make This Ground Beef Dinner in 20 Minutes

1. Brown the Beef & Chickpeas

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Form the ground beef into 4 loose patties and place them in the pan. Let cook undisturbed for 3 minutes, until browned on the bottom.

Flip the patties, then add drained chickpeas. Cook another 7 minutes, allowing chickpeas to blister and the beef to brown further. Break everything up into small chunks with your spatula.

2. Add the Spices

Stir in garlic, ginger, onion powder, cumin, garam masala, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute, letting the spices bloom.

3. Simmer with Tomato Paste & Water

Add the tomato paste and mix in, scraping the bottom of the pan. Add water, stir well, and cook until slightly thickened—just a few minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning.

🍚 How to Serve This Dish

Serve with:

  • Steamed basmati or jasmine rice

  • Microwaveable rice pouches for ultra-speed

  • Warm flatbreads like roti or paratha

  • Yogurt, lime wedges, fresh cilantro, or pickled onions for toppings

This versatile ground beef recipe is perfect for creating build-your-own bowls!

🔄 Easy Recipe Variations

Make this recipe your own with these swaps:

  • Use ground turkey, lamb, or chicken

  • Add frozen spinach or peas for extra greens

  • Swap chickpeas for lentils

  • Use beef broth instead of water for a saucier finish

  • Add chili flakes or sliced chili for a spicy kick

🧊 Storage & Leftovers

  • Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days

  • Reheat on the stove with a splash of water or in the microwave

  • Great for meal prep or next-day lunches

💬 Final Thoughts

This 20-minute ground beef dinner is proof that you don’t need a long ingredient list or hours in the kitchen to enjoy a deeply flavorful meal. Quick, hearty, and endlessly adaptable, it’s a weeknight staple you’ll keep coming back to.

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