Ground Beef & Grains Bowl (5-Ingredient Dinners)

What home cook doesn’t love a good 5-ingredient dinner? If you’re looking for a balanced, quick, and nourishing meal ready in under 30 minutes, this ground beef protein bowl with grains is amazing! Ground beef and grain bowls are a big hit in my house, and I know they will be in yours, too!

Be Sure To Try My Turkey Egg Roll in a Bowl Next!

What Are Grain Bowls?

You may have heard of them by different names: grain bowls, rice bowls, protein bowls, Buddha bowls, and so on. Simply put, a way to build a customizable meal in no time with healthy ingredients. Starting with a grain as the base, add a protein, vegetables, and sometimes, top it off with a sauce. My grain bowl recipe has the following five ingredients: ground beef, butternut squash, grains, chicken broth, and parmesan cheese. The bowl format naturally helps manage portions, especially when lots of whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats, and colorful vegetables are involved. When you need a lazy weeknight dinner to throw together at the last minute, it’s a balanced meal you can count on time after time!

Why You’ll Love This

There’s a reason protein bowls are an internet sensation right now. They tick so many of the boxes! You will love that this meal is high in protein, diet-friendly (gluten-free, low carb), full of fiber, and completely customizable. It requires virtually no planning or prep to put together. You’ll use one skillet and can whip it up in no time. Just picture it now: sizzling ground beef, a touch of sweetness from the squash, warm and chewy buckwheat with just the right amount of that nutty parmesan taste. With so many satisfying flavors, a meal like this is guaranteed to be on repeat.

What Grains Are Good for Grain Bowls?

There are so many good grains to choose from! It really comes down to preference, texture, or taste. If you’re a gluten-free girl, this is your kind of meal. Brown rice or jasmine, basmati, or wild rice- your rice options are endless. Quinoa is another popular grain. It cooks quickly and is full of protein and complete amino acids. Barley is packed with fiber and antioxidants. Farro is an ancient grain packed with proteins, fiber, and minerals. Buckwheat contains essential amino acids, fiber, and antioxidants. Despite its name, it is not related to “wheat” and is naturally gluten-free. It’s a nutrient-dense food that can help lower cholesterol and blood sugar, making buckwheat my ideal candidate for a grain bowl!

Best Grain Bowl Recipe

Start by preparing your protein. Brown beef (or ground turkey or chicken) in a large skillet and drain any excess fat. Add your seasonings. I recommend a good pinch of salt and pepper and any herbed seasoning you love. Next, add your frozen squash or other veggies, grains, and broth. Stir to combine and bring to a boil. Then lower the heat and cook through until your veggies are tender and the grains are cooked through (times may vary slightly depending on the grain). Once cooked, sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese and allow to rest for a few minutes before serving. This is one skillet meal where the mess will be minimal!

Grain Bowl Swaps

The beauty of grain bowls is in their versatility. Switch up your combinations and swap out ingredients to see what you like best! For a base, try rice, Farro, barley, or quinoa. When picking a protein, go for lean ground turkey or chicken, or even do a poke bowl version with marinated salmon. The vegetable options are endless; add broccoli, cauliflower, peas, edamame, sweet potatoes, or corn. Garnishing the bowls can be just as fun. A sprinkle of cheese, a few slices of avocado, a squeeze of lime, or some fresh herbs will punctuate your dish perfectly!

other recipes you might enjoy:

• Easy Vegan Chickpea Salad
• Pumpkin Lentil Curry
• Ground Turkey & Broccoli Bowl with Root Vegetable Puree
• Lazy Night Korean Beef & Broccoli Bowls