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Easy Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Skillet: 30-Minute One-Pot Dinner

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A quick and easy one-pot dinner featuring seasoned ground beef, tender rice, and melted cheddar cheese, ready in about 30 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450g) ground beef (85/15)
  • 1 cup (200g) long-grain white rice (jasmine or basmati preferred)
  • 2 cups (480ml) low-sodium beef broth
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 1 medium bell pepper, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1.5 cups (170g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked preferred)
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (if needed)
  • Optional garnishes: fresh parsley, chopped green onions, red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Brown the ground beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil if needed. Add ground beef and break apart with a wooden spoon. Let sit undisturbed for 1-2 minutes to develop a brown crust. Cook until no pink remains, about 4-5 minutes. Drain excess fat, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan.
  2. Sauté the aromatics: Reduce heat to medium. Add diced onion and bell pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is translucent and pepper softens, about 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Toast the rice: Push beef and veggies to one side. Add rice to the empty space and toast for 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until nutty and slightly golden.
  4. Add liquids and seasonings: Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook for 30 seconds. Pour in beef broth and stir, scraping up browned bits from the bottom.
  5. Simmer the rice: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and simmer for 15-18 minutes without lifting the lid. Check at 15 minutes; rice should be tender and most liquid absorbed. Cook 2-3 more minutes if needed.
  6. Add the cheese: Remove skillet from heat. Sprinkle shredded cheddar evenly over the top. Cover and let sit for 2 minutes until cheese melts. For a browned top, broil for 1-2 minutes.
  7. Rest and serve: Let skillet rest off heat for 2 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or green onions if desired.

Notes

Do not skip toasting the rice; it prevents mushiness. Resist lifting the lid during simmering. Season in layers for best flavor. Let the skillet rest before serving for better texture. Shred your own cheese for optimal melting.

Nutrition

Keywords: ground beef, rice, skillet, one-pot, cheesy, 30-minute, weeknight dinner, comfort food

Find it online: https://breezybake.com/easy-cheesy-ground-beef-and-rice-skillet-30-minute-one-pot-dinner/