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

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This cheesy ground beef and rice skillet is a quick, one-pan comfort food that comes together in about 30 minutes. It’s perfect for busy weeknights and uses simple pantry ingredients for a warm, satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450g) ground beef (80/20 preferred)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 cup (200g) long-grain white rice, uncooked
  • 2 cups (480ml) low-sodium beef broth
  • 1 can (14.5 oz / 411g) diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 ½ cups (170g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup (55g) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ¼ cup (25g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
  • A pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

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 nicely browned, about 5-7 minutes. Spoon out excess fat if needed, leaving a little for flavor.
  2. Sauté the Aromatics: Reduce heat to medium. Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until soft and translucent. Add the minced garlic, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Add the Rice and Liquids: Stir in the uncooked rice and toast for about 1 minute. Pour in the beef broth, undrained diced tomatoes, and tomato paste. Add the dried oregano and thyme. Stir until the tomato paste is dissolved.
  4. Bring to a Simmer and Cover: Increase heat to high and bring to a full boil. Stir, then reduce heat to low. Cover tightly with a lid and simmer for 18-20 minutes. Do not lift the lid during this time.
  5. Check the Rice: After 18 minutes, remove the lid. The rice should be tender and most liquid absorbed. If rice is still hard, cover and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
  6. Add the Cheese: Remove the skillet from heat. Sprinkle the cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan evenly over the top. Do not stir. Cover and let sit for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is melted.
  7. Finish and Serve: Remove the lid. Stir gently to incorporate the cheese or leave it on top. Garnish with fresh parsley and red pepper flakes if desired. Serve hot.

Notes

For best results, shred your own cheese from a block. Do not use instant rice. If using brown rice, increase broth to 2 ½ cups and cook for 40-45 minutes. For a crispy cheese top, broil for 1-2 minutes after adding cheese (ensure skillet is oven-safe).

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://coracooks.com/easy-cheesy-ground-beef-and-rice-skillet-best-one-pan-dinner/