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Easy One-Pan Cheesy Ground Beef Rice Recipe

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A quick and easy one-pan meal featuring seasoned ground beef, tender rice, and melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for busy weeknights, this comforting dish comes together in about 30 minutes with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 or 85/15 recommended)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked and rinsed
  • 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained (fire-roasted preferred)
  • 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked paprika recommended)
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (sharp cheddar recommended)
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients: dice the onion, mince the garlic, and rinse the rice in a fine-mesh strainer under cold water until the water runs clear.
  2. Heat a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and let it shimmer for about 30 seconds.
  3. Add the ground beef and break it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and no longer pink.
  4. Add the diced onion to the skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until soft and translucent.
  5. Stir in the minced garlic, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
  6. Pour in the beef broth and undrained diced tomatoes. Use your spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
  7. Stir in the rinsed rice. Bring back to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid.
  8. Let it simmer undisturbed for 18-20 minutes. Do not lift the lid during this time.
  9. After 18 minutes, carefully remove the lid. Check the rice—it should be tender and have absorbed most of the liquid. If still crunchy, add 2-3 tablespoons of water or broth, re-cover, and cook for another 3-5 minutes.
  10. Remove the skillet from the heat. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Do not stir. Cover and let sit for 2-3 minutes until the cheese melts.
  11. Remove the lid and stir the melted cheese into the rice until evenly distributed. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed.
  12. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve immediately.

Notes

For best results, rinse the rice to remove excess starch. Use a deep enough pan to prevent overflow. Resist the urge to lift the lid while the rice simmers. For extra flavor, toast the rice in the skillet for 1-2 minutes before adding the broth. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://sunnysavory.com/easy-one-pan-cheesy-ground-beef-rice-recipe/