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

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A quick and easy one-pan meal featuring ground beef, rice, and savory spices, perfect for busy weeknights. This comforting dish comes together in about 30 minutes with simple pantry ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 is ideal for flavor, but lean works too)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice (uncooked; basmati or jasmine work beautifully)
  • 2 cups beef broth (low-sodium preferred)
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained (fire-roasted adds amazing flavor)
  • 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked paprika is incredible here)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

  1. Heat the oil: Place your large skillet over medium-high heat and add the 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Let it heat up until it shimmers—about 1 minute.
  2. Brown the beef: Add the ground beef to the hot skillet. Break it up with your wooden spoon and let it cook undisturbed for about 3-4 minutes. Then stir and continue cooking until the beef is browned all over, about 5-6 minutes total.
  3. Sauté the aromatics: Add the diced onion to the skillet with the beef. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft and translucent. Then add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Toast the rice: Sprinkle the uncooked rice over the beef and onion mixture. Stir everything together and let it cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the rice starts to turn slightly golden and smell nutty.
  5. Add the liquids and spices: Pour in the beef broth and the undrained can of diced tomatoes. Add the paprika, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt. Stir everything together until well combined. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  6. Bring to a simmer: Increase the heat to high and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
  7. Cover and cook: Once it’s boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid, and let it simmer gently for 18-20 minutes. Do not lift the lid during this time.
  8. Check for doneness: After 18 minutes, remove the lid carefully. The rice should be tender and the liquid should be mostly absorbed. If the rice is still a bit firm, cover and cook for another 2-3 minutes. If it looks dry but the rice isn’t done, add 2-3 tablespoons of water and cook a bit longer.
  9. Fluff and rest: Remove the skillet from the heat. Fluff the rice and beef mixture gently with a fork. Let it rest, uncovered, for 5 minutes.
  10. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley if using. Serve warm, straight from the skillet.

Notes

For best texture, use long-grain white rice. Toast the rice before adding liquid to prevent mushiness. Resist lifting the lid during cooking to ensure proper steam cooking. Leftovers keep well for up to 4 days in the refrigerator and can be frozen for up to 3 months. The dish is naturally gluten-free (check broth label).

Nutrition

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

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