Ground Beef and Rice Skillet with Vegetables and Cheese Recipe
A hearty and flavorful one-pan meal combining lean ground beef, long-grain white rice, and fresh vegetables simmered together with aromatic spices and beef broth. This Ground Beef and Rice Skillet is a comforting dish perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, topped optionally with melted cheddar cheese for added richness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Topping
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Brown the beef: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Place the ground beef into the skillet, breaking it up with a spatula as it cooks. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until browned and no longer pink.
- Sauté vegetables: Add the diced onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet with the browned beef. Cook for about 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften and release their aroma.
- Add spices: Sprinkle paprika and dried oregano into the skillet. Stir to combine evenly with the beef and vegetables.
- Add the rice: Pour the long-grain white rice into the skillet, stirring well to coat all the rice grains thoroughly with the beef and vegetable mixture.
- Add liquids: Pour in the beef broth and the can of diced tomatoes (with their juices). Stir everything, then bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Simmer: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet with a lid, and let it simmer gently for 18-20 minutes. Cook until the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
- Finish and serve: Remove the lid and fluff the rice with a fork. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if necessary. If desired, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the skillet and cover briefly to let the cheese melt before serving.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess fat in the dish.
- Long-grain rice is recommended for fluffiness; do not rinse rice to keep flavors intact.
- If you prefer spicy food, add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the paprika and oregano.
- For a lower-fat version, substitute cheddar cheese with a reduced-fat variety or omit it entirely.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated on the stovetop or microwave.
- This recipe can be adapted with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter alternative.
Keywords: ground beef skillet, beef and rice recipe, one pan meal, easy dinner, stovetop recipe, quick ground beef dinner
