Description
Ground beef and rice skillet brings together simple ingredients for a satisfying weeknight dinner that comes together fast. Packed with flavor and ready in under 30 minutes, this one-pan meal makes your kitchen cleanup a breeze.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Grains and Base:
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups beef broth
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet to medium temperature (375°F). Drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil across the surface and allow it to warm for 20 seconds.
- Add 1 small diced onion to the skillet. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until translucent and slightly softened.
- Drop 2 minced garlic cloves into the skillet. Stir quickly for 30 seconds, releasing their aromatic essence without burning.
- Move onions and garlic to one side of the pan. Introduce 1 pound ground beef to the empty space. Break meat into small crumbles while cooking for 5-6 minutes until completely browned.
- Incorporate 1 cup long-grain white rice directly into the meat mixture. Stir thoroughly to coat rice with pan drippings and toast for 1 minute.
- Pour 2 cups beef broth and 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes into the skillet. Scrape pan bottom to release caramelized bits. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper across the surface.
- Bring liquid to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low (simmer setting). Cover skillet and cook for 18-20 minutes until rice absorbs liquid completely.
- Fold 1 cup frozen peas and carrots into the skillet. Allow vegetables to warm for 2-3 minutes.
- Distribute 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese across the top. Cover for 1-2 minutes until cheese melts smoothly.
- Remove from heat. Fluff rice with a fork and serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- Always brown the ground beef completely to develop deep, rich flavor and eliminate any excess fat.
- Drain the beef after cooking to keep the dish from becoming greasy and ensure a cleaner taste.
- Use long-grain white rice for the best texture, as it separates nicely and doesn’t become sticky or clumpy.
- For a lighter version, substitute ground turkey or lean ground beef to reduce overall calories while maintaining the dish’s hearty character.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 28-30 minutes
- Category: One-Skillet
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 495 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg