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Easy • Beef

Cheesy Beef and Rice Skillet

A family-favorite, hearty skillet dinner with seasoned ground beef, tender rice, and melty cheese, ready in one pan.

Prep
10 min
Cook
25 min
Servings
4
Level
Easy
Cheesy Beef and Rice Skillet

Say hello to your new weeknight superstar! This Cheesy Beef and Rice Skillet is the kind of dinner that makes everyone happy – it's packed with savory flavor, comes together in one pan (hello, easy cleanup!), and is incredibly satisfying. Think of it as a deconstructed cheeseburger casserole, but even simpler. It's comforting, delicious, and perfect for busy evenings when you need a meal that delivers without the fuss.

Ingredients

Yield: 4 servings

Main

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
  • 1.5 cups beef broth
  • 1 cup uncooked white rice (long grain or medium grain)
  • 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper (or to taste)
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet (10-12 inch) over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and onion. Cook, breaking up the beef with a spoon, until beef is browned and onion is softened, about 6-8 minutes. Drain any excess grease.

  2. Step 2

    Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

  3. Step 3

    Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, uncooked rice, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Stir everything together well, making sure the rice is submerged in the liquid.

  4. Step 4

    Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover the skillet tightly, and simmer for 18-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Avoid lifting the lid too often during this time.

  5. Step 5

    Remove the skillet from the heat. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Cover again (or place a lid/foil over it) and let sit for 5 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt and become gooey.

  6. Step 6

    Garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve hot directly from the skillet. Enjoy!

Tips

  • For a little extra veggie power, stir in a cup of frozen peas or corn during the last 5 minutes of cooking the rice.
  • If you don't have an oven-safe skillet, you can transfer the mixture to a baking dish before adding cheese and melting it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes.
  • Adjust the seasonings to your liking! A pinch of red pepper flakes adds a nice subtle heat.

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