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Easy Ground Beef & Rice Skillet: 30-Minute Dinner

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A comforting, one-pan dinner featuring browned ground beef, fluffy rice, and melted cheese, cooked entirely in a skillet for minimal cleanup and maximum flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio preferred)
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice
  • 1 medium onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups beef broth (low-sodium)
  • 1/2 cup tomato sauce
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 tsp paprika or cumin

Instructions

  1. Dice the onion and mince the garlic. Measure out the rice, broth, and cheese.
  2. Heat a 12-inch skillet over medium heat and add the butter. Once foaming, add the onions and cook until soft and translucent (about 3 minutes). Add garlic in the last 30 seconds.
  3. Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up into small crumbles. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika. Cook until browned and no longer pink (5-7 minutes). Drain excess grease if necessary.
  4. Stir in the uncooked rice and toast in the beef fat for 1 minute. Pour in the beef broth and tomato sauce, stirring to scrape up browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  5. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and simmer for 15-18 minutes without lifting the lid, until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
  6. Remove from heat. Sprinkle cheddar and mozzarella cheese evenly over the top. Cover and let sit for 1 minute to melt the cheese (or broil for 2-3 minutes for a golden top).
  7. Let the skillet rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the rice to firm up. Garnish with fresh parsley or green onions if desired.

Notes

Rinse white rice until water runs clear to remove excess starch. Ensure the lid is tight during simmering to trap steam. If rice is crunchy after 20 minutes, add a splash of hot water and cook longer. For dairy-free, swap cheese for dairy-free alternatives. For vegetarian, swap beef for lentils or plant-based meat and use vegetable broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: ground beef, rice skillet, one pan dinner, comfort food, quick dinner, easy recipe, family friendly, weeknight meals

Find it online: https://tomyumy.com/easy-ground-beef-and-rice-skillet-30-minute-dinner/