Ground Beef and Quinoa Stir-Fry with Asparagus and Cauliflower Rice
What Started it all:
ground beef, asparagus, quinoa, cauliflower rice, onion
Get ready to whip up a dish that’s not only packed with flavor but also healthy and filling. This recipe combines ground beef with the nutty goodness of quinoa, tender asparagus, and cauliflower rice, making it perfect for a hearty meal. Let’s get to work and create something spectacular for six people!
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs ground beef
- 3 cups asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1.5 cups quinoa, rinsed
- 3 cups cauliflower rice
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Quinoa: In a medium saucepan, add 3 cups of water and bring it to a boil. Add the rinsed quinoa, a pinch of salt, and reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until the water is absorbed. Fluff it with a fork and set aside.
- Sauté the Onion: In a large skillet or wok, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Toss in the chopped onion and sauté until it’s soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Don’t burn it, for crying out loud!
- Add the Ground Beef: Increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground beef to the skillet. Break it apart with a spatula and cook until browned, about 7-10 minutes. Drain any excess fat, but don’t remove all the flavor!
- Season the Beef: Stir in the minced garlic, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Cook for another 2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant. Taste it, and if it’s bland, add more seasoning!
- Incorporate the Asparagus: Add the asparagus to the skillet and stir-fry for about 5 minutes, until it’s tender but still has a bit of crunch. If it’s mushy, you’ve done something wrong!
- Add Cauliflower Rice: Toss in the cauliflower rice and cooked quinoa. Mix everything together thoroughly, and let it cook for another 3-4 minutes until heated through. Adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve: Plate the stir-fry and garnish with fresh parsley if you’re feeling fancy.
There you have it! A delicious, healthy meal that’s bursting with flavor and ready to impress anyone at your dinner table. Remember, cooking should be fun, so don’t stress—just enjoy the process and make it your own! Now, get out there and show that kitchen who’s boss!