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Easy Cheesy Ground Beef Rice Skillet: Best 30-Min Dinner

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A quick and easy one-pan dinner featuring seasoned ground beef, tender rice, and melted cheese. Perfect for busy weeknights, this comforting skillet meal comes together in under 30 minutes with simple pantry ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20)
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
  • 2 cups beef broth, low-sodium
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
  • 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked preferred)
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (sharp recommended)
  • 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Heat a large skillet (12-inch) over medium-high heat. Add a drizzle of oil if needed.
  2. Add ground beef and diced onion. Let beef sit for 2 minutes without stirring to develop brown bits, then break into smaller pieces. Cook 5-6 minutes until beef is browned and onion is softened. Drain excess grease, leaving about 1 tablespoon.
  3. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Stir in drained diced tomatoes, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute to bloom spices.
  5. Pour in beef broth and add uncooked rice. Stir to combine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
  6. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 18 minutes. Do not lift the lid.
  7. After 18 minutes, check rice. If still firm with liquid remaining, cover and cook 2-3 more minutes. If done but extra liquid remains, let sit uncovered for 1-2 minutes.
  8. Remove skillet from heat. Sprinkle cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses evenly over the top. Cover and let rest 2-3 minutes until cheese is melted.
  9. Uncover, sprinkle with parsley if desired. Serve hot, scooping from the bottom for a mix of beef, rice, and cheese.

Notes

For best results, use freshly grated cheese (pre-shredded contains anti-caking agents that affect melting). Don’t lift the lid during simmering to ensure even rice cooking. Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 4 days and freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat with a splash of broth or water.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://clunkcook.com/easy-cheesy-ground-beef-rice-skillet-best-30-min-dinner/