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Easy Cheesy Ground Beef Rice: Best One-Pan Dinner in 30 Min

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This one-pan ground beef and rice dish is creamy, cheesy, and ready in 30 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, it uses simple ingredients and minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450g) ground beef (80/20 recommended)
  • 1 cup (200g) long-grain white rice
  • 2 cups (480ml) low-sodium beef broth
  • 1.5 cups (170g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked preferred)
  • 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes, breaking it apart, until no pink remains. Do not drain fat (leave about 1 tablespoon).
  2. Reduce heat to medium. Add diced onion and cook for 1-2 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Push meat mixture to one side. Add tomato paste to empty space and let sizzle for 30 seconds. Stir together with paprika, salt, and pepper.
  4. Add uncooked rice and stir to coat, toasting for about 30 seconds. Pour in beef broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
  5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18-20 minutes. Do not lift the lid during cooking.
  6. After 18 minutes, check rice. If tender and liquid absorbed, proceed. If not, cook 2-3 more minutes or add ¼ cup more broth and cook 5 minutes.
  7. Remove from heat. Stir in butter until melted. Sprinkle cheese evenly over top, cover, and let sit for 2 minutes until melted.
  8. Fluff with a fork, garnish with parsley if desired, and serve hot.

Notes

Don’t lift the lid while rice simmers to ensure proper cooking. For high altitude (above 3,500 ft), add ¼ cup more broth and cook 5-10 minutes longer. Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 4 days and freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pan dinner, ground beef, cheesy rice, easy dinner, 30-minute meal, comfort food

Find it online: https://siennaspoon.com/easy-cheesy-ground-beef-rice-best-one-pan-dinner-in-30-min/