Let’s be real, the “what’s for dinner?” question on a busy weeknight can be stressful. I’ve had those days where the last thing I want to do is spend an hour in the kitchen with a pile of dishes waiting for me. Let me tell you, this One-Pan Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Skillet has been my saving grace more times than I can count. It’s hearty, it’s cheesy, and the best part? It all comes together in one pan in about 30 minutes.
So, what is this magic skillet dinner? It’s a super simple, flavor-packed meal with savory ground beef, fluffy rice, and a zesty tomato sauce, all smothered under a blanket of glorious melted cheese. It’s the kind of comfort food that makes everyone at the table happy.
If you’re looking for a new go-to recipe that’s easy, delicious, and won’t leave your kitchen a mess, you’re in the right place. Let’s dive in!
What Does This Ground Beef and Rice Skillet Taste Like?
Imagine the comforting flavors of a classic casserole but made way faster. The ground beef is rich and savory, cooked with onions and garlic for a delicious base. The rice soaks up all the beef broth and tangy tomato sauce, making every grain burst with flavor.
Then, you get that amazing layer of melted cheddar cheese on top that gets all gooey and delicious. It’s kind of like a deconstructed stuffed pepper or a cheeseburger in a bowl. It’s got that simple, satisfying taste that reminds me of another family-favorite. Chinese subgum fried rice recipe It’s just pure, unpretentious comfort food.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s the simple list of ingredients you’ll need to make this skillet dinner.
- 1 lb lean ground beef (I use 85/15 or 90/10)
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
- 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
Kitchen Utensils You’ll Need
- A large skillet or Dutch oven with a lid
- A wooden spoon or spatula
- Knife and cutting board
- Measuring cups and spoons
Preparation Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 25 minutes Total Time: 35 minutes
Recipe for Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Skillet
Simply follow the steps below to make this amazing one-pan dinner.
1. Brown the Beef Heat your skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion and cook until the beef is browned and the onion is soft, breaking up the meat with your spoon as it cooks. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until you can smell it. Drain off any excess grease from the pan.
2. Add Rice and Liquids Pour the beef broth, undrained diced tomatoes, and Worcestershire sauce into the skillet. Stir in the uncooked rice, oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Give everything a good stir to combine, making sure to scrape up any tasty browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
3. Simmer and Cook Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the skillet with a lid and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes. You want to cook it until the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid. Try not to peek too much!
4. Make it Cheesy! Once the rice is cooked, turn off the heat. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the beef and rice mixture. Place the lid back on the skillet for just 2-3 minutes to allow the cheese to melt into a gooey, delicious layer.
5. Garnish and Serve Sprinkle with some fresh parsley if you’re feeling fancy, and serve it hot, straight from the skillet.
Some Tasty Ways to Customize and Serve This Skillet
I’ve made this dish so many times, and I love changing it up now and then. Here are some of my favorite ways to customize it.
- Spice It Up: If you like a little heat like I do, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a diced jalapeño along with the onion. It gives the whole dish a nice little kick.
- Add More Veggies: This is a great recipe for cleaning out the fridge! I often throw in a diced bell pepper with the onion, or stir in a cup of frozen corn or a can of drained black beans at the end.
- Swap the Cheese: While cheddar is classic, I’ve also made this with a Colby Jack blend, Monterey Jack, or even a spicy pepper jack. It’s delicious every time.
- Serve with a Dollop of Sour Cream: A spoonful of cool, creamy sour cream or Greek yogurt on top is a perfect contrast to the rich, savory skillet.
- With a Side of Garlic Bread: You HAVE to have something to scoop up any leftover cheesy sauce. Warm, crusty garlic bread is the perfect companion for this meal.
- Next to a Crisp Salad: To add some freshness, I love serving this with a simple side salad with a light vinaigrette. It balances out the richness of the main dish perfectly.
My Personal Tips for This Recipe
- Don’t Skip Draining the Fat: This is a must! Draining the excess grease after browning the beef keeps the final dish from being too oily.
- Use Long-Grain White Rice: I’ve found this type of rice works best. It cooks up fluffy and doesn’t get mushy. If you want to use brown rice, you’ll need to add about ½ cup more broth and increase the simmer time to 35-40 minutes.
- Don’t Peek! When the rice is simmering, resist the urge to lift the lid. You want to trap that steam inside to cook the rice properly.
- Grate Your Own Cheese: I know the pre-shredded stuff is convenient, but grating a block of cheese yourself makes for a much smoother, meltier cheese topping. Trust me on this one.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, you can microwave individual portions. I like to add a splash of water or beef broth before microwaving to help steam the rice and keep it from drying out.
30-Minute Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef I use 85/15 or 90/10
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
- 1 can 15 oz diced tomatoes, undrained
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Fresh parsley chopped (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Brown the Beef Heat your skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion and cook until the beef is browned and the onion is soft, breaking up the meat with your spoon as it cooks. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until you can smell it. Drain off any excess grease from the pan.
- Add Rice and Liquids Pour the beef broth, undrained diced tomatoes, and Worcestershire sauce into the skillet. Stir in the uncooked rice, oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Give everything a good stir to combine, making sure to scrape up any tasty browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Simmer and Cook Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the skillet with a lid and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes. You want to cook it until the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid. Try not to peek too much!
- Make it Cheesy! Once the rice is cooked, turn off the heat. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the beef and rice mixture. Place the lid back on the skillet for just 2-3 minutes to allow the cheese to melt into a gooey, delicious layer.
- Garnish and Serve Sprinkle with some fresh parsley if you’re feeling fancy, and serve it hot, straight from the skillet.
Common Queries on This Skillet Recipe
1. Can I use ground turkey instead of beef? Definitely! I’ve done this many times to make it a little lighter. Ground turkey or ground chicken works perfectly as a substitute.
2. My rice is still a bit crunchy. What went wrong? This usually means it just needed a little more cooking time or a bit more liquid. If you check it and the rice isn’t done but the liquid is gone, just add another ¼ cup of broth or water, put the lid back on, and let it simmer for another 5 minutes.
3. Can I use instant rice? I wouldn’t recommend it for this recipe. Instant rice cooks much faster and requires less liquid, so the timing and ratios would be completely off, and it might turn out mushy.
4. Is this recipe freezable? I find that rice-based dishes can sometimes change texture after freezing. It’s best enjoyed fresh, but you can freeze it in an airtight container. The texture of the rice might just be a little softer when you reheat it.
This Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Skillet is a true weeknight warrior—easy, fast, and a total crowd-pleaser.
So grab a skillet and give it a try! I have a feeling it’s going to become a regular in your dinner rotation. Feel free to drop a comment below and let me know how you liked it! I always love hearing from you.