Print

Kid-Friendly Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Skillet: Easy One-Pan Dinner

cheesy ground beef and rice skillet - featured image
Print Recipe

A creamy, cheesy one-pan skillet dinner with ground beef and rice that’s perfect for busy weeknights. This kid-friendly recipe comes together in under 30 minutes and is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) ground beef (80/20)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup (200g) long-grain white rice, uncooked
  • 2 cups (480ml) low-sodium beef broth
  • 1 can (10.75 oz / 305g) condensed cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 cup (120g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup (60g) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Instructions

  1. Brown the Ground Beef: Place your large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until it’s browned and no longer pink. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Don’t drain all the fat—leave about 1 tablespoon in the pan for flavor. If you’re using very lean beef, add a tablespoon of olive oil at the start.
  2. Sauté the Aromatics: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it becomes translucent and soft. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic—it turns bitter quickly.
  3. Add the Rice and Spices: Sprinkle the uncooked rice, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper over the beef and onion mixture. Stir everything together for about 1 minute, coating the rice grains in the beef fat and spices. This toasts the rice slightly and helps it stay fluffy.
  4. Pour in the Liquids: Pour in the beef broth and add the can of condensed cream of mushroom soup. Stir everything together until the soup is fully dissolved and the mixture is smooth. Bring it to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.
  5. Simmer and Cook the Rice: Once it’s boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid, and let it simmer for 18-20 minutes. Do not lift the lid during this time! The steam is what cooks the rice perfectly. Set a timer and walk away.
  6. Add the Cheese: After 20 minutes, remove the lid. The rice should be tender and most of the liquid should be absorbed. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese evenly over the top. Cover the skillet again and let it sit for 2-3 minutes off the heat, until the cheese is completely melted and gooey.
  7. Fluff and Serve: Remove the lid and give everything a gentle stir to incorporate the melted cheese into the rice and beef. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed. Sprinkle with fresh parsley for a pop of color. Serve hot, straight from the skillet!

Notes

Don’t rush the browning of the beef for maximum flavor. Toast the rice in the pan before adding liquid to keep grains separate. Resist the urge to lift the lid while the rice cooks. Use freshly shredded cheese for the best melt. Let the skillet rest for 2-3 minutes after adding cheese before serving.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://spoonmira.com/kid-friendly-cheesy-ground-beef-and-rice-skillet-easy-one-pan-dinner/