Description
Ground beef and rice skillet delivers comfort straight to your dinner table with minimal cleanup. Seasoned with simple pantry staples, this hearty meal comes together quickly for busy families craving a satisfying weeknight solution.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
- 2 ½ cups beef broth
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Optional Toppings:
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Grab a large skillet and heat it to medium (375°F). Crumble 1 pound ground beef into the pan, breaking it into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Cook for 4-5 minutes until the meat turns brown and releases its fat.
- Drain the excess grease from the skillet, leaving about 1 tablespoon behind. Add 1 small diced onion and 1 chopped bell pepper to the beef. Sauté for 3 minutes until the vegetables soften and become translucent.
- Mince 2 garlic cloves and toss them into the skillet. Stir continuously for 30 seconds until the garlic becomes fragrant and releases its aroma.
- Pour 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice into the skillet. Add 2 ½ cups beef broth and 1 (14.5-ounce) can of diced tomatoes with their liquid. Sprinkle in 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper.
- Stir the ingredients to combine and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid and reduce heat to low (200°F).
- Allow the rice to cook undisturbed for 18-20 minutes. Check occasionally to prevent sticking, ensuring the liquid is gradually absorbed and the rice becomes tender.
- If desired, sprinkle 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese over the surface. Replace the lid and let the cheese melt for 2-3 minutes.
- Remove from heat and garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Serve the skillet directly from the pan for a rustic, comforting meal.
Notes
- Letting the beef brown deeply before breaking it up creates a richer, more developed flavor in the entire dish.
- Using brown rice instead of white adds more fiber and nutrition, but extend the cooking time by about 10 minutes.
- Cold rice works best for preventing mushy texture, so leftovers or rice prepared earlier in the day are perfect for this recipe.
- Choose lean ground beef (90/10 or 93/7) to reduce excess grease and keep the skillet from becoming too oily during cooking.
- Prep Time: 8 minutes
- Cook Time: 23 minutes
- Category: Beef
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 470 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg