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Easy Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Skillet: 20-Minute Dinner

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This Easy Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Skillet is a quick, comforting one-pan meal that comes together in just 20 minutes. With simple ingredients like ground beef, rice, and cheddar cheese, it’s perfect for busy weeknights and is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 works great)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice (uncooked)
  • 2 cups beef broth (low-sodium)
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained (fire-roasted recommended)
  • 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked paprika if available)
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (sharp cheddar preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Brown the beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until nicely browned (5-7 minutes). Drain excess fat, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan.
  2. Sauté aromatics: Reduce heat to medium. Add diced onion and cook 2-3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Add rice and seasonings: Stir in uncooked rice, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, to toast the rice slightly.
  4. Pour in liquids: Add beef broth and diced tomatoes (undrained). Stir well, scraping up browned bits from the bottom. Bring to a boil.
  5. Simmer and cover: Reduce heat to low, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and simmer for 15-18 minutes. Do not lift the lid during cooking.
  6. Check the rice: After 15 minutes, remove lid. Rice should be tender and most liquid absorbed. If still soupy, cover and cook 2-3 more minutes. If dry but rice not done, add a splash of broth or water.
  7. Add cheese: Remove skillet from heat. Sprinkle shredded cheddar evenly over top. Cover and let sit 2-3 minutes until cheese is melted and gooey.
  8. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle with fresh parsley if using. Stir gently to incorporate cheese, or serve with cheese melted on top.

Notes

Toast the rice before adding liquid to prevent mushiness. Use long-grain white rice; avoid instant rice. For best melting, shred cheese from a block. Let the dish rest after adding cheese for better texture. Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 4 days and freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: ground beef and rice skillet, cheesy ground beef skillet, 20-minute dinner, one-pan meal, weeknight dinner, easy ground beef recipe

Find it online: https://lirafood.com/easy-cheesy-ground-beef-and-rice-skillet-20-minute-dinner/