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Easy Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Skillet: Best One-Pan Dinner

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A quick and easy one-pan dinner featuring ground beef, rice, and melted cheese. Perfect for busy weeknights, this comforting skillet meal comes together in about 30 minutes with simple pantry ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 works best)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked (Jasmine or Basmati recommended)
  • 2 cups beef broth (low-sodium recommended)
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained (fire-roasted preferred)
  • 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked paprika for extra depth)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano (or Italian seasoning blend)
  • ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
  • 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (freshly shredded recommended)
  • ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Fresh parsley or green onions, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Brown the beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it apart, until browned (5-7 minutes). Drain excess fat, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan.
  2. Sauté aromatics: Reduce heat to medium. Add diced onion and cook 3-4 minutes until soft. Stir in minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Add rice and spices: Sprinkle uncooked rice, paprika, oregano, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes over the beef mixture. Stir for 1 minute to toast the rice slightly.
  4. Pour in liquids: Add beef broth and undrained diced tomatoes. Stir well, scraping up browned bits from the pan. Bring to a boil.
  5. Simmer and cook rice: Reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer for 18-20 minutes. Do not lift the lid during this time.
  6. Check rice: After 18 minutes, remove lid. Rice should be tender and liquid absorbed. If still crunchy, add ¼ cup more broth or water, cover, and cook 3-5 more minutes.
  7. Add cheese: Sprinkle cheddar and mozzarella evenly over the top. Cover and let sit off heat for 2-3 minutes until cheese is melted and gooey.
  8. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle with fresh parsley or green onions. Serve straight from the skillet.

Notes

Do not skip toasting the rice for better texture. Use low heat when simmering to prevent burning. Let the skillet rest after adding cheese for best results. For variations, try Tex-Mex spices, add vegetables, or use cauliflower rice for low-carb. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: ground beef, rice, cheese, one-pan dinner, easy weeknight meal, skillet dinner, cheesy rice, comfort food

Find it online: https://lindabake.com/easy-cheesy-ground-beef-and-rice-skillet-best-one-pan-dinner/