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Best Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Skillet Recipe

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This cheesy ground beef and rice skillet is a crowd-pleasing, one-pan meal that comes together in under an hour. It’s the perfect comfort food for hosting, with a gooey cheese pull and perfectly seasoned beef and rice.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked (Jasmine or Basmati recommended)
  • 2 cups beef broth (low-sodium)
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained (fire-roasted preferred)
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (sharp cheddar recommended)
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Brown the beef: Place your skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with your spoon, until nicely browned, about 6-8 minutes. Spoon off excess fat, leaving about a tablespoon in the pan.
  2. Sauté the aromatics: Reduce heat to medium. Add diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Toast the rice: Add uncooked rice to the skillet and stir for about 2 minutes until slightly toasted.
  4. Add liquids and seasonings: Pour in beef broth, diced tomatoes with juices, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Stir until tomato paste is fully incorporated. Bring to a gentle boil.
  5. Simmer and cover: Reduce heat to low, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and let simmer gently for 20 minutes. Do not lift the lid during this time.
  6. Check the rice: After 20 minutes, remove lid. Rice should be tender and most liquid absorbed. If rice is still firm, add 2-3 tablespoons of water, replace lid, and cook for another 5 minutes.
  7. Add the cheese: Remove skillet from heat. Sprinkle shredded cheddar and mozzarella evenly over the top. Cover and let sit for 3-4 minutes until cheese is melted and gooey.
  8. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle fresh parsley over the top if using. Serve directly from the skillet.

Notes

Don’t rush the browning of the beef for maximum flavor. Keep the lid on during simmering to ensure perfectly cooked rice. Shred your own cheese for the best melt. Toast the rice for a nutty flavor and separate grains. For a gluten-free version, check labels on broth and Worcestershire sauce. For a lower-carb option, swap rice for cauliflower rice added in the last 10 minutes.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://perkypan.com/best-cheesy-ground-beef-and-rice-skillet-recipe/