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Easy Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Skillet

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

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) 80/20 ground beef
  • 1 cup (200g) long-grain white rice, uncooked
  • 2 cups (480ml) low-sodium beef broth
  • 1 ½ cups (170g) sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (10 ounces / 285g) diced tomatoes with green chiles, undrained
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
  • Optional garnishes: fresh parsley or green onions, sour cream

Instructions

  1. Brown the Beef: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned and no longer pink (about 5-7 minutes). Leave about 1 tablespoon of fat in the pan.
  2. Sauté the Aromatics: Reduce heat to medium. Add the diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Add the Spices: Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper over the beef mixture. Stir and cook for about 1 minute to toast the spices.
  4. Stir in the Rice and Tomatoes: Add the uncooked rice and the can of diced tomatoes with green chiles (undrained). Stir to combine evenly.
  5. Pour in the Broth: Add the beef broth and stir, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring the mixture to a boil.
  6. 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 this time.
  7. Check the Rice: After 15 minutes, carefully remove the lid. The rice should be tender and most liquid absorbed. If still crunchy, cover and cook for another 2-3 minutes. If dry, add a splash more broth.
  8. Add the Cheese: Remove the skillet from heat. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Cover for 2-3 minutes to let the cheese melt.
  9. Fluff and Serve: Uncover, gently stir to incorporate some cheese, or leave it on top. Garnish with parsley or green onions if desired. Serve hot.

Notes

Do not lift the lid while the rice is simmering to ensure even cooking. For best melting, shred your own cheese from a block. If using lean ground beef, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and taste even better the next day.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://elaraeats.com/easy-cheesy-ground-beef-and-rice-skillet/