Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
1.5 pounds lean ground beef (85/15 or 90/10)
1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound broccoli florets (fresh or frozen, thawed)
1 cup beef broth (low sodium)
1/2 cup heavy cream
4 ounces cream cheese, softened and cut into cubes
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or a blend of your choice)
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
1. 1. Brown the Beef: Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it apart, until browned (6-8 minutes). Drain excess fat, leaving a bit for flavor.
2. 2. Sauté Aromatics: Return skillet to medium heat. Add diced onion and cook 3-5 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
3. 3. Add Broccoli & Seasonings: Stir in broccoli florets, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Cook 2-3 minutes, stirring.
4. 4. Build Sauce Base: Pour in beef broth and heavy cream. Stir, scraping up browned bits. Bring to a gentle simmer.
5. 5. Melt in Cream Cheese: Reduce heat to low. Add cream cheese cubes and Dijon mustard. Stir continuously until cream cheese melts and sauce is smooth.
6. 6. Stir in Shredded Cheese: Remove skillet from heat. Stir in shredded cheddar until melted and gooey.
7. 7. Season & Serve: Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
To prevent the skillet from becoming greasy, drain most but not all of the fat after browning the beef. For a dairy-free version, omit cream cheese, heavy cream, and cheddar; use full-fat coconut milk and dairy-free cheese shreds. Leftovers store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat with a splash of broth or cream to restore creaminess.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low-carb, Keto, Gluten-free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 33 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg