Greek Spiced Beef Mince and Rice Skillet
Savory extra-lean beef mince simmered with sweet peppers, courgette, lentils, and tender brown rice in an aromatic tomato sauce. Easy to batch cook, storing four distinct portions for dinners and lunches.
Prep
15 min
Cook
30 min
Total
45 min
Makes
4 servings
Created together. Shared with you.
Made by Claire + Lila
Claire created this recipe with Lila and shared it with the perimenopause community.
The feel-good payoff
Why this meal can feel especially good in perimenopause
Think practical wins: steadier energy, comfortable fullness and one less food decision. Your response is personal, so use the prompts below to notice what works for you.
Perimenopause symptoms and relief · Office on Women’s HealthSteadier energy
Feel fueled, not flattened
A complete meal with protein, carbohydrates and fats is designed to offer more staying power than a quick carb-only fix.
Notice: energy 1–3 hours later
Comfortably satisfied
Fullness that has staying power
This meal is designed to feel substantial, so finishing it can feel like the meal is complete rather than the start of an evening of grazing.
Notice: fullness 2–3 hours later
Digestive comfort
A portion that works for you
Fiber and plants can support digestion, but more is not always better overnight. Start with a comfortable portion and build gradually.
Notice: comfort + portion
More staying power
Make the next few hours easier
This meal is built to be more sustaining than a snack-sized stopgap, with enough substance to carry you into the next part of the day.
Notice: energy + fullness later
Setup
Get set up
Choose your servings, gather what you need, then cook along below.
Prep
15 min
Cook
30 min
Total
45 min
How many are you cooking for?
The ingredient amounts update automatically.
Equipment
Oven · Large skillet · Saucepan · Knife and cutting board
Time saver
Allow leftover portions to cool completely before sealing in airtight glass containers; refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Do these three things first
- 1Set out all ingredients before cooking
- 2Measure the pantry ingredients before heating the pan
- 3Read through the steps once before you begin
Ingredients
Gather as you go
Ingredients
Cook along
Instructions
0 of 9 steps complete
Next: Measure out the brown rice and bring…
- 01
Measure out the brown rice and bring…
Measure out the brown rice and bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil over high heat. Add the rice, turn heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes until tender; drain any remaining liquid.
Look for: tender
Tap card to mark done - 02
Heat olive oil in a large skillet…
Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat (350°F / 175°C).
Tap card to mark done - 03
Add chopped red onion
Add chopped red onion, diced red bell pepper, and sliced courgette to the hot pan; sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until vegetables soften and onions turn translucent.
Look for: vegetables soften and onions turn translucent
Tap card to mark done - 04
Stir in minced garlic and oregano
Stir in minced garlic and oregano, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
Look for: fragrant
Tap card to mark done - 05
Add extra-lean beef mince to the skillet
Add extra-lean beef mince to the skillet, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon; cook for 6 to 8 minutes until browned with no pink remaining.
Look for: browned with no pink remaining
Tap card to mark done - 06
Stir in canned chopped tomatoes
Stir in canned chopped tomatoes, brown lentils, and cooked brown rice, stirring well to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
Tap card to mark done - 07
Reduce heat to low
Reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer gently for 10 minutes so the flavors meld together into a rich sauce.
Allow: 10 minutes
Tap card to mark done - 08
Stir in baby spinach until wilted completely
Stir in baby spinach until wilted completely, about 2 minutes.
Look for: wilted completely
Tap card to mark done - 09
Remove from heat and portion into 4…
Remove from heat and portion into 4 equal containers (serves 2 tonight and provides 2 lunch portions for tomorrow).
Tap card to mark done
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