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Kid-Approved Cheesy Beef and Rice Skillet: Easy One-Pan Dinner in 30 Minutes

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A quick and easy one-pan dinner featuring ground beef, rice, and melted cheese, perfect for busy weeknights. This family-friendly recipe comes together in 30 minutes with simple ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 works best)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
  • 2 cups beef broth, low-sodium preferred
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Brown the beef. Place your skillet over medium-high heat and add the ground beef. Break it up with your spoon as it cooks. Let it get nice and brown—about 5 to 6 minutes—without stirring too much. If there’s more than a tablespoon of fat, drain it off, leaving a little for flavor.
  2. Sauté the aromatics. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the diced onion to the pan and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until it starts to soften and turn translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, until fragrant.
  3. Add the rice and seasonings. Sprinkle the uncooked rice over the beef and onion mixture. Add the smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together for about a minute, coating the rice in the flavorful fat.
  4. Pour in the liquids. Add the beef broth and the can of diced tomatoes (with all their juices). Stir well, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring the mixture to a boil.
  5. Simmer and cover. Once it’s boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid, and let it simmer gently for 18 to 20 minutes. Do not lift the lid often.
  6. Check the rice. After 18 minutes, remove the lid and check the rice. It should be tender and have absorbed most of the liquid. If it’s still a little firm, cover and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes. If it looks dry but the rice isn’t done, add a splash of broth or water.
  7. Add the cheese. Once the rice is perfect, remove the pan from the heat. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar and mozzarella evenly over the top. Cover the pan again and let it sit for 2 to 3 minutes—the residual heat will melt the cheese.
  8. Optional broil for a golden top. If you want that beautiful browned cheese crust, pop the skillet under the broiler for 1 to 2 minutes. Watch it closely.
  9. Garnish and serve. Sprinkle with fresh parsley if you’re using it, and serve straight from the skillet.

Notes

For best results, use freshly shredded cheese (pre-shredded has anti-caking agents that affect melting). Toast the rice for 60 seconds before adding liquid to prevent mushiness. Use a tight-fitting lid and avoid lifting it during simmering. If the bottom sticks slightly, don’t scrape it into the serving; soak the pan in hot water for easy cleaning.

Nutrition

Keywords: cheesy beef and rice skillet, one-pan dinner, 30-minute meal, ground beef recipe, family dinner, kid-friendly, easy weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://lenatable.com/kid-approved-cheesy-beef-and-rice-skillet-easy-one-pan-dinner-in-30-minutes/