Quinoa Beef Picadillo

Transform your weeknight dinners with this vibrant and nutrient-packed Quinoa Beef Picadillo! This hearty Latin-inspired dish combines the earthy goodness of protein-rich quinoa and savory ground beef, all simmered with fragrant spices like cumin, paprika, and oregano. A medley of textures and flavors comes from sweet raisins, briny green olives, and tender bell peppers, making every bite irresistibly satisfying. Ready in just 40 minutes, this one-pan recipe is a wholesome twist on the classic picadillo, perfect for busy evenings. Serve it as a standalone dish or pair it with rice, tortillas, or a fresh salad for a complete, comforting meal the whole family will love.

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa
• 2 cups water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup diced tomatoes (canned or fresh)
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
• 0.25 cup raisins
• 0.33 cup green olives, sliced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the quinoa under cold water in a fine-mesh strainer to remove any bitterness.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add the quinoa, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until the quinoa is tender and the water is absorbed. Remove from heat, fluff with a fork, and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary.

Step 4

Push the beef to one side of the skillet and add the chopped onion and garlic to the empty side. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the onion is translucent and fragrant.

Step 5

Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and green bell pepper. Combine well with the beef mixture, allowing it to cook for 2-3 minutes.

Step 6

Add the raisins, green olives, ground cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly and let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 7

Fold in the cooked quinoa and stir until evenly combined. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to heat through.

Step 8

Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.

Step 9

Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro before serving. Serve warm, either on its own or alongside a salad, tortillas, or rice for a complete meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1787.2 grams (1787.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2225

Total Fat 132.70g	170%
Saturated Fat 38.30g	191%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 301mg	100%
Sodium 5176mg	225%
Total Carbohydrate 166.60g	61%
Dietary Fiber 14.20g	51%
Total Sugars 45.60g
Protein 109.90g	220%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 294mg	23%
Iron 19mg	106%
Potassium 2830mg	60%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 51.9%

Protein: 19.1%

Carbs: 29.0%