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Lean Ground Beef Recipe
Ash Tyrrell

Lean ground beef recipe

If you're anything like me, you probably always have a pack of lean ground beef in your fridge or freezer, ready to go when dinner plans get unpredictable.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 28 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 500 g lean ground beef – choose 90% lean or higher for fewer calories and less fat while keeping it juicy.
  • 1 tbsp. olive oil – helps brown the beef evenly and adds a touch of healthy fat.
  • 1 large onion finely chopped – gives the beef flavor and moisture, don’t skip this base layer.
  • 1 tsp. paprika – adds a warm smoky depth; go for sweet or smoked based on your taste.
  • Salt and pepper to taste – season lightly at the start and adjust after browning.
  • 3 large sweet potatoes – peeled and chopped into small chunks for faster roasting and even caramelization.
  • 1 tbsp. olive oil for sweet potatoes – coats the chunks evenly and encourages crisping in the oven.
  • 200 g baby spinach – always use fresh not frozen, to avoid excess water in your prep boxes.

Method
 

  1. Let’s get started with prepping the ingredients. Preheat your oven to 200°C (about 400°F) so it’s ready when your sweet potatoes are cut.
  2. Meanwhile, peel the sweet potatoes and chop them into even, bite-sized chunks. This ensures they roast quickly and cook uniformly. Finely chop your onion so it blends easily into the beef and cooks down smoothly.
  3. Place the chopped sweet potatoes onto a baking tray, drizzle with olive oil, and toss well to coat. Spread them out in a single layer — don’t overcrowd the tray or they’ll steam instead of roast.
  4. Slide the tray into the oven and let them roast for about 25–30 minutes. Flip them halfway through cooking to ensure they crisp up evenly on all sides.
  5. While the potatoes are roasting, heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large non-stick frying pan over medium heat.
  6. Add the finely chopped onion and cook for a few minutes until it’s soft and translucent. This base builds flavor for the beef and makes the dish more aromatic. Stir in the paprika at this stage to toast it slightly and enhance its flavor.
  7. Next, add your lean ground beef to the pan. Use your spatula to break it apart into small chunks as it browns. Season with salt and pepper and cook for about 8–10 minutes, or until there’s no pink left. Keep stirring occasionally so it cooks evenly and develops a bit of color — that’s where the flavor is. Once it’s done, remove it from the heat.
  8. Now it’s time to cook the spinach. You can either add it to the beef in the last 2 minutes of cooking, letting it wilt down gently, or sauté it separately if you prefer to keep components distinct.
  9. Either way, fresh spinach only needs about 1–2 minutes on the heat, so be careful not to overcook it. It should be bright green and just soft enough to bite through.
  10. Once everything is ready, it’s time to assemble. Grab four meal prep containers and evenly divide the roasted sweet potatoes, beef mixture, and wilted spinach among them.
  11. Let the containers cool completely before snapping on the lids and storing them in the fridge. This prevents condensation from making your meals soggy.