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Easy Cheesy Beef and Rice Skillet: Best 30-Minute Dinner

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A quick and easy one-pan meal featuring ground beef, rice, and melted cheese, perfect for busy weeknights. Ready in under 30 minutes with simple pantry ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
  • 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked preferred)
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ¼ cup sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped (optional)
  • Green onions, sliced (optional)
  • Hot sauce (optional)

Instructions

  1. Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the ground beef. Break it up with a wooden spoon and cook until browned, about 5-6 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the beef to a plate, leaving about 1 tablespoon of drippings in the pan.
  2. Reduce heat to medium. Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Add the uncooked rice to the skillet and stir to coat. Toast for about 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until the grains turn slightly opaque.
  4. Pour in the beef broth and undrained diced tomatoes. Add salt, pepper, paprika, oregano, and onion powder. Stir to combine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Bring to a boil, about 2-3 minutes.
  5. Reduce heat to low, cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid, and simmer for 15-18 minutes. Do not lift the lid during this time.
  6. Remove the lid and check the rice. If tender and liquid is absorbed, return the cooked beef to the skillet. If excess liquid remains, simmer uncovered for 2-3 more minutes. Reduce heat to low, then add cheddar, mozzarella, sour cream, and butter. Stir gently until melted and creamy, about 2 minutes.
  7. Remove from heat and let rest for 3-5 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley or green onions if desired. Serve warm.

Notes

For best melting, shred cheese from a block instead of using pre-shredded. Let the dish rest off the heat for 5 minutes before serving. To prevent mushy rice, do not lift the lid during simmering. For a vegetarian version, replace beef with black beans or plant-based crumbles and use vegetable broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: cheesy beef and rice skillet, one-pan dinner, 30-minute meal, ground beef recipe, easy weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://spoonmira.com/easy-cheesy-beef-and-rice-skillet-best-30-minute-dinner/