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Easy One-Pan Ground Beef and Rice Skillet: Best 30-Minute Dinner

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This one-pan ground beef and rice skillet is the ultimate quick and easy weeknight dinner. Made with simple ingredients like ground beef, rice, and spices, it comes together in just 30 minutes with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 is ideal)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice (uncooked; Jasmine or Basmati preferred)
  • 2 cups beef broth (low-sodium)
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained (fire-roasted preferred)
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Optional: ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (for topping)
  • Optional: Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Heat the oil: Place your large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the 2 tablespoons of olive oil and let it shimmer for about 30 seconds.
  2. Brown the beef: Add the ground beef to the hot skillet. Break it up with a wooden spoon into small crumbles. Let it cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes to get a good sear. Then stir and continue cooking until no pink remains, about 5-6 minutes total. Leave about 1 tablespoon of fat in the pan.
  3. Sauté the aromatics: Push the beef to one side of the pan. Add the diced onion to the empty side and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent. Add the minced garlic and stir everything together, cooking for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Add the spices: Sprinkle the chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper over the beef and onion mixture. Stir well to coat everything evenly. Let the spices toast for about 1 minute.
  5. Add the rice and liquids: Pour in the uncooked rice and stir it into the beef mixture for about 1 minute to lightly toast the rice. Then pour in the beef broth and the can of diced tomatoes (with their juices). Stir everything together, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  6. Bring to a boil, then simmer: Increase the heat to high and bring the liquid to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid, and let it simmer for 18-20 minutes. Do not lift the lid during this time.
  7. Check for doneness: After 18 minutes, remove the lid carefully. The rice should be tender and the liquid mostly absorbed. If the rice is still firm, add 2-3 tablespoons of water or broth, re-cover, and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
  8. Fluff and finish: Remove the skillet from the heat. Fluff the rice and beef mixture with a fork. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. If using cheese, sprinkle it over the top, cover the skillet for 1 minute to let it melt, then remove the lid.
  9. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle with fresh parsley or cilantro if using. Serve hot straight from the skillet or spoon into bowls.

Notes

Use long-grain white rice for best results; avoid short-grain or medium-grain. Do not lift the lid during simmering to ensure even cooking. For lean ground beef, add a tablespoon of butter or oil after browning. For a vegetarian version, use plant-based ground meat substitute and vegetable broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pan ground beef and rice skillet, easy ground beef recipe, 30-minute dinner, weeknight dinner, ground beef and rice, one pan meal

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