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Easy One-Pan Cheesy Beef and Rice Skillet

one-pan cheesy beef and rice skillet - featured image
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A quick and easy one-pan meal with ground beef, rice, and melted cheddar cheese, perfect for busy weeknights. Ready in about 30 minutes with simple ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 works best)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 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
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until browned (5-6 minutes). Leave about 1 tablespoon of fat; drain excess if needed.
  2. Add diced onion and cook 2-3 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Sprinkle uncooked rice over the beef mixture. Add smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir to coat the rice.
  4. Pour in beef broth and diced tomatoes (with juices). Stir well, scraping up browned bits from the bottom.
  5. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer 18-20 minutes. Do not lift the lid frequently.
  6. After 18 minutes, check rice. It should be tender and liquid absorbed. If still firm, cover and cook 2-3 more minutes. If dry, add a splash of broth or water.
  7. Remove from heat. Stir in 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar until melted. Sprinkle remaining ½ cup on top.
  8. Let rest uncovered 2-3 minutes. Garnish with parsley if desired. Serve straight from the pan.

Notes

For a crispy cheese top, broil for 1-2 minutes after adding final cheese layer. Use freshly shredded cheddar for best melting. Long-grain white rice is recommended; avoid instant or brown rice without adjustments.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://sofiaspice.com/easy-one-pan-cheesy-beef-and-rice-skillet/