Ground Beef and Butternut Squash Skillet
A cozy, one-pan family meal featuring savory ground beef cooked with sweet butternut squash and aromatic herbs. Quick to assemble and effortless to clean up.
Prep
10 min
Cook
20 min
Total
30 min
Makes
5 servings
Created together. Shared with you.
Made by Julia + Lila
Julia 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
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
Clearer, simpler choices
Let the recipe do the thinking
Clear steps and a complete plate mean fewer decisions when focus is in short supply—and a more substantial meal once you are done.
Notice: focus + energy later
Setup
Get set up
Choose your servings, gather what you need, then cook along below.
Prep
10 min
Cook
20 min
Total
30 min
How many are you cooking for?
The ingredient amounts update automatically.
Equipment
Large skillet
Time saver
Prep the vegetables and measure pantry ingredients earlier in the day to shorten cook time.
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: Heat a large skillet or Caraway saute…
- 01
Heat a large skillet or Caraway saute…
Heat a large skillet or Caraway saute pan over medium-high heat for 2 minutes.
Allow: 2 minutes
Tap card to mark done - 02
Add the ground beef and diced onion…
Add the ground beef and diced onion to the hot skillet, crumbling the meat with a wooden spoon for 6 to 8 minutes until browned with no pink remaining.
Look for: browned with no pink remaining
Tap card to mark done - 03
Drain any excess fat from the skillet…
Drain any excess fat from the skillet if desired, leaving about 1 tablespoon for moisture.
Tap card to mark done - 04
Reduce the heat to medium and stir…
Reduce the heat to medium and stir in the minced garlic, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper for 1 minute until fragrant.
Look for: fragrant
Tap card to mark done - 05
Add the frozen butternut squash cubes directly…
Add the frozen butternut squash cubes directly to the skillet and stir well to combine with the seasoned beef.
Tap card to mark done - 06
Cover the skillet with a lid and…
Cover the skillet with a lid and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the squash cubes are fork-tender and hot throughout.
Look for: the squash cubes are fork-tender and hot throughout
Tap card to mark done - 07
Remove the lid and let simmer uncovered…
Remove the lid and let simmer uncovered for 2 minutes so any excess moisture evaporates.
Allow: 2 minutes
Tap card to mark done - 08
Turn off the heat and let the…
Turn off the heat and let the skillet rest for 2 minutes before serving.
Allow: 2 minutes
Tap card to mark done - 09
Divide into 5 equal portions and serve…
Divide into 5 equal portions and serve warm. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy
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