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Ground beef and rice skillet dinner with browned beef, tender rice, melted cheese, and herbs

Ground Beef and Rice One-Pan Skillet Dinner with Cheese

Ground beef and rice is a hearty one-pan skillet dinner with tender rice, savory seasoned beef, and optional cheesy toppings. It is an easy, comforting meal choice for busy weeknights.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Rest Time 5 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 520
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Skillet Dinner
  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 cup long-grain white or brown rice
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1 tsp dried herbs (like thyme or oregano)
  • 1 cup diced tomatoes (optional)
  • 1 cup bell peppers, diced (optional)
Toppings
  • Fresh parsley or cilantro for garnish (optional)
  • Shredded cheese for topping (optional)

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, crumble it with a spoon, and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
  2. Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until the onion is translucent.
Cooking
  1. Mix in the rice, chicken broth, salt, pepper, and dried herbs. Add the diced tomatoes and bell peppers if using.
  2. Bring the mixture to a boil, then cover the skillet, lower the heat, and simmer for 18-20 minutes until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed.
  3. Remove the skillet from the heat, keep it covered, and rest for 5 minutes before fluffing the rice with a fork.
Serving
  1. Finish the ground beef and rice with fresh parsley or cilantro and shredded cheese if desired before serving.

Notes

Use a tight-fitting lid and keep the skillet covered during simmering to help the rice cook evenly.