Quick Cheesy Beef & Broccoli Skillet Meal: Ready in 30 Minutes

Are you on a perpetual quest for the ideal midweek dinner? We certainly are. It has to be fast, bursting with flavour, create minimal washing up, and be a dish the entire family will genuinely enjoy. We understand that daily juggle. The evening rush can feel relentless, but what if we told you the perfect solution could be made in a single pan? Allow us to introduce a new comfort food hero: our delightful Cheesy Beef & Broccoli Skillet Meal. This recipe brilliantly merges the rich, savoury flavours of a classic beef and broccoli with the glorious, melted goodness of cheddar cheese. It’s a true game-changer, and it’s on the table in under half an hour.

There’s no need to balance multiple pots or dedicate an hour to cooking. This dish has been crafted for the demands of modern life. It’s a wholesome, fulfilling meal that packs a punch in the taste department without any of the usual fuss. We’ve meticulously balanced the tender beef mince, perfectly cooked broccoli florets, and a smooth, cheesy sauce that enrobes every mouthful. Let’s get started and show you how to make this your family’s new favourite dinner.

Why We’re Certain You’ll Adore This Recipe

• On the Table in a Jiffy: This whole meal is ready from start to finish in less than 30 minutes, which makes it an absolute lifesaver on a busy evening. It’s the perfect quick Asian dinner fusion that gives you back valuable time.
• One-Pan Brilliance: We are huge fans of any meal that keeps the washing up to a minimum. As everything is cooked in one skillet, you’ll spend less time at the sink and more time relaxing. It truly is the ultimate one-pan beef and broccoli.
• Packed with Flavour: The delicious alchemy of savoury beef, aromatic garlic and ginger, soy sauce, and melted mature cheddar results in a surprisingly wonderful and deeply satisfying taste. It’s comfort food with an inventive flair.
• A Hit with the Whole Family: We can confidently say this recipe is a crowd-pleaser. The comforting combination of beef and cheese is sure to win over even the most discerning of palates, while the broccoli provides a welcome touch of green goodness.
• Wonderfully Adaptable: It’s remarkably simple to tailor this recipe to suit your preferences or use up what you have in the fridge. Feel free to switch the vegetables, try a different cheese, or tweak the seasoning to your liking.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp Olive Oil
• 500g Lean Beef Mince (ground beef)
• 1 medium Onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 tsp Ginger, freshly grated
• 400g Broccoli Florets, cut into small, bite-sized pieces
• 60ml Low-Sodium Soy Sauce
• 120ml Beef Broth or Stock
• 1 tbsp Cornflour (cornstarch)
• 1 tsp Sesame Oil
• 1/2 tsp Black Pepper, freshly ground
• 150g Mature Cheddar Cheese, grated
• Spring Onions, sliced, for garnish (optional)
• Sesame Seeds, for garnish (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions for Your Cheesy Beef & Broccoli Skillet Meal

Putting this fantastic meal together is incredibly straightforward. We’ve outlined the process in a few easy-to-follow stages to ensure you get flawless results every single time. So, grab your best large skillet, and let’s begin!

Step 1: Brown the Beef and Aromatics

1. Place a large skillet over a medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Once shimmering, tip in the lean beef mince.
2. Using a wooden spoon, break the mince apart and cook for around 5–7 minutes, until it has browned nicely. It’s important to drain away any rendered fat. Opting for lean mince helps create a healthier dish, a principle supported by guidance from health bodies like the NHS on healthy eating.
3. Add the finely chopped onion to the pan, cooking for a further 3–4 minutes until it has softened and turned translucent.
4. Next, stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger. Cook for one minute more until their beautiful aroma is released, but take care to ensure the garlic doesn’t catch and burn.

Step 2: Cook the Broccoli

1. Toss the broccoli florets into the skillet with the beef and onion mixture. Pour in approximately 60ml of the beef broth.
2. Allow the liquid to come to a gentle simmer, then pop a lid on the skillet and turn the heat down to medium. Let the broccoli steam for 4–5 minutes. Our goal is to achieve a crisp-tender texture, where the broccoli is a vibrant green with a slight bite, not soft.
3. After steaming, take the lid off and allow any excess liquid to evaporate for a minute or so.

Step 3: Create the Sauce and Combine

1. As the broccoli steams, you can mix the sauce. In a small bowl, whisk the remaining 60ml of beef broth with the low-sodium soy sauce and cornflour until the mixture is completely smooth.
2. Pour this sauce into the skillet, stirring continuously to combine it with the beef and broccoli over a medium heat.
3. You’ll notice the sauce will start to bubble and thicken very quickly, usually in just 1–2 minutes. When it has thickened enough to coat the ingredients beautifully, mix in the sesame oil and black pepper. You’ve now made a brilliant ground beef stir-fry base that’s ready for its cheesy finale!

Step 4: Get Cheesy!

1. Reduce the heat to its lowest setting. Scatter the grated mature cheddar cheese evenly across the surface of the beef and broccoli.
2. Replace the lid on the skillet and leave it for 1–2 minutes, just long enough for the cheese to melt into a bubbly, gooey layer.
3. Take the skillet off the heat. If you like, garnish with sliced spring onions and a scattering of sesame seeds before serving straight away.

Tips, Tricks, and Tasty Variations

One of the greatest joys of making a cheesy beef skillet is just how easy it is to customise. Below are some of our top tips and variations to inspire you to make this recipe uniquely yours.

Choosing Your Ingredients

• Beef: We suggest using lean beef mince with 5% or 10% fat content, but you could easily substitute this with turkey or chicken mince for a lighter option.
• Cheese: A sharp, mature cheddar provides a fantastic depth of flavour. However, don’t hesitate to play around! Red Leicester would lend a lovely colour, while a blend of mozzarella and cheddar will give you that perfect stringy melt.
• Vegetables: If you don’t have broccoli, there’s no need to worry. Sliced mushrooms, bell peppers, courgette, or even green beans make great alternatives. Simply tweak the cooking time as needed. If you appreciate simple protein and vegetable pairings, you may also like our Garlic Butter Chicken And Veggies recipe.

Perfecting Your Skillet Technique

• Don’t Overcook the Broccoli: The secret to a wonderful texture is ensuring the broccoli remains crisp-tender. A brief steam before adding the sauce is the best way to prevent it from becoming mushy.
• Prep Ahead: To make this dinner even quicker on the night, you can prepare your onion, broccoli, garlic, and ginger beforehand. Just keep them in sealed containers in the fridge until you’re ready to start cooking.
• Control the Salt: We opt for low-sodium soy sauce and beef broth to manage the overall saltiness, as the cheese also contributes a salty element. It’s always a good idea to taste the dish before serving and adjust the seasoning if necessary.

What to Serve with Your Cheesy Beef & Broccoli Skillet

This dish is certainly substantial enough to be enjoyed on its own, especially for those following a low-carb diet. However, if you’d like to make the meal go further or add another component, it pairs wonderfully with several sides:

• Fluffy White or Brown Rice: The classic accompaniment, perfect for soaking up every last drop of the savoury, cheesy sauce.
• Noodles: Try serving this with egg or udon noodles to transform it into a deeply comforting noodle bowl.
• Quinoa: A fantastic choice for a healthier, protein-rich alternative.
• Cauliflower Rice: An excellent way to keep the meal low-carb while adding extra volume.

This versatility is part of what makes our Sticky Chicken Rice Bowls so well-loved—you can construct the perfect meal to suit your own taste.

FAQ

Conclusion: Your New Favourite Weeknight Meal

We are truly convinced that this Cheesy Beef & Broccoli Skillet Meal will become a firm favourite in your household’s meal plan. It delivers on every promise: it’s exceptionally quick, straightforward to make, and provides a depth of flavour that feels far more special than the effort required. It’s the type of comforting, satisfying meal that makes any dinner table feel a bit more joyful after a busy day.

So, the next time you find yourself wondering what to cook, we hope you’ll remember this simple and delicious one-pan solution. Why not give it a go this week? We would be delighted to hear how you get on. Please feel free to leave a comment and a rating below to share your thoughts and any personal touches you added!

Recipe Card

Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp Olive Oil
• 500g Lean Beef Mince
• 1 medium Onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 tsp Ginger, freshly grated
• 400g Broccoli Florets
• 60ml Low-Sodium Soy Sauce
• 120ml Beef Broth or Stock
• 1 tbsp Cornflour
• 1 tsp Sesame Oil
• 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
• 150g Mature Cheddar Cheese, grated
• Optional: Sliced Spring Onions and Sesame Seeds for garnish

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the beef mince, then drain any excess fat. Add the onion and cook until soft, then stir in the garlic and ginger and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
2. Add the broccoli florets and half of the beef broth (60ml). Cover and steam for 4-5 minutes until the broccoli is crisp-tender.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the remaining beef broth, soy sauce, and cornflour. Pour the mixture into the skillet and stir continuously until the sauce thickens. Stir in the sesame oil and black pepper.
4. Reduce the heat to low, sprinkle the grated cheddar cheese over the top, and cover the skillet for 1-2 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
5. Garnish with spring onions and sesame seeds, if desired, and serve immediately.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 510 kcal, Carbs: 14g, Protein: 38g, Fat: 34g