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Cozy Ground Beef and Rice Skillet: Easy One-Pan Dinner

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A quick and easy one-pan dinner featuring savory ground beef, perfectly cooked rice, and aromatic seasonings. This comforting skillet meal comes together in about 30 minutes and is perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound lean ground beef (85/15 or 90/10)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
  • 1 ½ cups low-sodium beef broth
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • Optional for serving: fresh parsley, chopped; shredded cheddar cheese; a dollop of sour cream

Instructions

  1. Brown the Beef: Place your large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and let it shimmer. Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with your wooden spoon. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beef is nicely browned all over. If there’s a lot of excess fat (more than a tablespoon), carefully drain it off, leaving a little in the pan.
  2. Sauté the Aromatics: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the diced onion to the skillet with the beef. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring often, until the onion is softened and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for just 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Toast the Rice: Add the uncooked rice to the skillet. Stir it into the beef and onion mixture, letting it cook for 1-2 minutes. You’ll see the rice grains start to turn slightly opaque and golden at the edges.
  4. Add the Liquids and Seasonings: Pour in the beef broth and the undrained can of diced tomatoes. Add the smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything together, making sure to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  5. Simmer and Cook: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Once it’s bubbling, reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid, and let it simmer. Cook for 18-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid. Do not lift the lid during this time.
  6. Rest and Fluff: After 20 minutes, remove the skillet from the heat. Let it sit, still covered, for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, remove the lid, fluff the mixture gently with a fork. Taste and adjust the salt and pepper if needed.
  7. Serve: Spoon the hot ground beef and rice skillet into bowls. Top with your favorite garnishes—a sprinkle of fresh parsley, a handful of shredded cheddar cheese, or a dollop of sour cream. Serve immediately.

Notes

Don’t skip the toasting step for the rice—it adds a nutty depth. Use long-grain white rice for best results. Resist the urge to lift the lid during simmering. For a gluten-free version, ensure your beef broth is certified gluten-free.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://platebelle.com/cozy-ground-beef-and-rice-skillet-easy-one-pan-dinner/