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Lightened-Up Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Skillet

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A quick and easy one-pan dinner featuring lean ground beef, fluffy rice, and a gooey cheese topping. This lightened-up version of a classic comfort food is ready in about 35 minutes and uses simple, wholesome ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb lean ground beef (93/7)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup shredded part-skim mozzarella
  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
  • Fresh parsley or chives, chopped (optional garnish)
  • Red pepper flakes (optional garnish)

Instructions

  1. Brown the Beef: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the lean ground beef and break it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and no longer pink (about 5 minutes). Drain excess fat, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan.
  2. Sauté the Aromatics: Reduce heat to medium. Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Toast the Rice: Sprinkle the uncooked rice over the beef and onion mixture. Stir for 1-2 minutes until the rice is slightly opaque at the edges.
  4. Add Liquids and Seasonings: Pour in the undrained diced tomatoes and beef broth. Add smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Stir well, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  5. Simmer the Rice: Increase heat to high and bring to a rolling boil. Reduce heat to low, cover the skillet, and let simmer for 18-20 minutes. Do not lift the lid during this time. Check rice for tenderness; if still firm, cook for another 2-3 minutes covered.
  6. Add the Cheese: Once rice is tender, remove the lid. Sprinkle shredded cheddar, mozzarella, and optional Parmesan evenly over the top. Cover the skillet and let sit off the heat for 2-3 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
  7. Rest and Serve: Let the skillet rest uncovered for 2-3 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley or chives and red pepper flakes if desired. Serve hot.

Notes

Don’t skip toasting the rice—it prevents mushiness. Resist lifting the lid while rice simmers. Shred your own cheese for best melting. Use low-sodium broth to control salt. For brown rice, increase broth to 2.5 cups and simmer 40-45 minutes. For Instant Pot, sauté beef and onion, then pressure cook on high for 5 minutes with natural release.

Nutrition

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

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