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Easy Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Skillet Recipe Perfect for One-Pan Dinners

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A quick and comforting one-pan meal combining ground beef, rice, and melty cheese, perfect for busy weeknights and minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio preferred)
  • 1 cup (190g) uncooked white or brown rice
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 ½ cups (600ml) beef broth (low sodium recommended)
  • 1 ½ cups (150g) shredded cheddar cheese
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Optional spices: ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon dried oregano, pinch of red chili flakes

Instructions

  1. Heat the skillet over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Warm for about 1 minute until shimmering.
  2. Add diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until translucent and fragrant. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds without burning.
  3. Add ground beef, crumble into the pan, and cook for 6-8 minutes until no pink remains. Season with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and oregano. Drain excess fat if needed, leaving a little for flavor.
  4. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes to deepen flavor.
  5. Add uncooked rice and beef broth, stirring to combine well.
  6. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover with lid and simmer for 18-20 minutes (longer if using brown rice) until rice is tender and liquid mostly absorbed. Avoid lifting lid frequently.
  7. Remove skillet from heat and sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Cover again for 2 minutes to melt cheese. Optionally, stir in a dollop of sour cream or cream cheese for extra creaminess.
  8. Fluff mixture gently with a fork, adjust seasoning if needed, and serve hot.

Notes

If rice isn’t done but liquid is absorbed, add a splash of water or broth and continue cooking with lid on. Use broth instead of water for better flavor. Avoid stirring too much while browning beef to develop good sear. For dairy-free, use dairy-free cheese and skip sour cream or use plant-based alternatives. Instant rice requires separate cooking and should be added at the end to avoid mushiness.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://siennaspoon.com/easy-cheesy-ground-beef-and-rice-skillet-recipe-perfect-for-one-pan-dinners/