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Easy Cheesy One-Pan Ground Beef and Rice Skillet

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A quick and comforting one-pan meal featuring ground beef, rice, and melted sharp cheddar cheese, perfect for busy weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio recommended)
  • 1 cup (190g) long grain white rice, rinsed
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 ½ cups (600ml) beef broth
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 ½ cups (150g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano or Italian seasoning (optional)
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Fresh parsley or green onions for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Heat the skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon olive oil.
  2. Add 1 pound ground beef, break it up, and cook until no longer pink and starting to brown, about 5-7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Drain excess fat if necessary, leaving some for flavor.
  3. Push beef to the side. Add chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent.
  4. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Stir in 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, and a pinch of red pepper flakes if using.
  6. Add 1 cup rinsed long grain white rice and stir to coat with the tomato-beef mixture.
  7. Pour in 2 ½ cups beef broth, stir once, and bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.
  8. Reduce heat to low, cover tightly with a lid, and simmer gently for 18-20 minutes without lifting the lid.
  9. Check rice for tenderness and liquid absorption after 18 minutes. If too firm, add a splash of broth or water, cover, and cook a few more minutes.
  10. Sprinkle 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese evenly over the mixture. Cover and let sit off heat for 3-5 minutes to melt cheese.
  11. Fluff rice gently with a fork, mixing cheese through if desired.
  12. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or green onions and serve warm.

Notes

Do not lift the lid during simmering to prevent rice from cooking unevenly or becoming crunchy. Rinse rice beforehand to remove excess starch and prevent clumping. Use sharp cheddar for bold flavor or swap mozzarella for creaminess. Drain excess fat but leave some for flavor. For dairy-free, use shredded vegan cheese. Brown rice can be used but requires longer cooking time (about 45 minutes) and more broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pan meal, ground beef skillet, cheesy rice skillet, quick dinner, family dinner, easy recipe, weeknight meal

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