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Easy Cheesy Ground Beef & Rice Skillet (30-Minute One-Pan Meal)

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A quick and easy one-pan meal featuring seasoned ground beef, fluffy rice, and a blanket of melted cheddar cheese. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s the perfect weeknight comfort food that the whole family will love.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450g) ground beef (80/20 recommended)
  • 1 cup (200g) long-grain white rice
  • 2 cups (480ml) low-sodium beef broth
  • 1 ½ cups (170g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (if needed)
  • Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Brown the Beef: Place a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned and no longer pink (5-7 minutes). Transfer the beef to a plate, leaving about 1 tablespoon of rendered fat in the pan. If using lean beef, add the olive oil.
  2. Sauté the Aromatics: Reduce heat to medium. Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until soft and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Build the Flavor Base: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Add the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried oregano, stirring for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Add the Rice and Liquids: Pour in the uncooked rice and stir to coat. Add the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  5. Simmer the Rice: Return the browned beef to the skillet. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer for 15-18 minutes until the rice is tender and liquid is absorbed. Do not lift the lid during this time.
  6. Add the Cheese and Finish: Remove the skillet from heat. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Cover and let sit off the heat for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is melted and gooey.
  7. Serve: Gently stir to incorporate the cheese or leave it as a cheesy blanket. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot.

Notes

For best results, shred your own cheddar cheese from a block—it melts much smoother than pre-shredded cheese. Do not lift the lid while the rice is simmering to ensure even cooking. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: ground beef, rice, cheddar, one-pan, 30-minute, weeknight dinner, comfort food, easy, cheesy

Find it online: https://zoeplate.com/easy-cheesy-ground-beef-and-rice-skillet-30-minute-one-pan-meal/