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

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This Easy Ground Beef and Rice Skillet is a one-pan wonder that feeds a crowd with minimal cleanup. It’s budget-friendly, prep-ahead perfect, and customizable for any guest, making it the ideal dish for gatherings or busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
  • 2 cups beef broth, low-sodium
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
  • Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped (optional)
  • Sour cream or Greek yogurt (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients first: dice the onion and bell pepper, mince the garlic, and measure out your spices.
  2. Heat your skillet over medium-high heat. Add a drizzle of oil—about a tablespoon. Let it get hot until it shimmers.
  3. Add the ground beef. Break it up with your spoon as it cooks. Let it sit without stirring for a minute or two to develop a nice brown crust. Cook for about 5-7 minutes until no longer pink.
  4. Remove the beef with a slotted spoon and set it aside on a plate. Leave about a tablespoon of rendered fat in the pan.
  5. Add the diced onion and bell pepper to the same pan. Cook over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until the onion is translucent and starting to soften. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  6. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  7. Stir in the tomato paste, smoked paprika, oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
  8. Add the uncooked rice and stir for 1-2 minutes until the grains are slightly translucent at the edges.
  9. Pour in the beef broth and diced tomatoes (with their juices). Stir everything together, scraping up any remaining browned bits from the bottom.
  10. Return the cooked ground beef to the skillet. Stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil.
  11. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer. Cook for 18-20 minutes without lifting the lid.
  12. After 18 minutes, check the rice. It should be tender and have absorbed most of the liquid. If it’s still a bit firm, cover and cook for 2-3 more minutes.
  13. Remove from heat. If using cheese, sprinkle it over the top, cover, and let it sit for 2-3 minutes until melted.
  14. Fluff the rice with a fork before serving.
  15. Garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro and serve with sour cream on the side.

Notes

Don’t skip browning the meat properly—it develops deep flavor. Toast the rice before adding liquid to keep grains separate. Resist the urge to stir while simmering; steam cooks the rice perfectly. Use low-sodium broth to control salt level. Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.

Nutrition

Keywords: ground beef and rice skillet, one-pan dinner, easy ground beef recipe, budget-friendly dinner, gluten-free dinner

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