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Easy One-Pan Ground Beef and Rice Skillet

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A quick, one-pan weeknight dinner featuring browned ground beef, savory tomato-based sauce, and perfectly cooked long-grain rice. This recipe requires minimal cleanup and delivers rich flavor with simple ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450g) ground beef (80/20 fat ratio preferred)
  • 1 cup (200g) long-grain white rice (Jasmine or Basmati)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups (480ml) beef broth (low-sodium)
  • 1 cup (240ml) water
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Heat a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until no pink remains (approx. 5 minutes). Drain excess grease if necessary, leaving about a tablespoon for flavor.
  2. Add diced onion to the beef and sauté until translucent and soft (approx. 3 minutes). Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
  3. Stir in tomato paste, Italian seasoning, soy sauce, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1-2 minutes to bloom the spices and develop depth.
  4. Pour in beef broth, water, and drained diced tomatoes. Stir well, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Sprinkle uncooked rice evenly over the top. Do not stir the rice in yet.
  5. Bring the mixture to a boil, then immediately reduce heat to low. Cover tightly with a lid and simmer undisturbed for 15-18 minutes.
  6. Remove the pan from heat. Keep the lid on and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow the rice to absorb moisture and firm up.
  7. Remove the lid, stir in the butter, and fluff the rice gently with a fork before serving.

Notes

Do not stir the rice while it simmers, as this releases starch and makes the dish gummy. Ensure the heat is low during the simmering phase to prevent burning. If using brown rice, increase liquid to 2.5 cups and cook for 35-40 minutes. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: one pan meal, ground beef, rice skillet, weeknight dinner, easy recipe, family friendly, gluten-free option

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