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Easy Cheesy Beef and Rice Skillet Dinner

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A quick and comforting one-pan meal featuring browned ground beef, seasoned rice, and melted cheddar cheese, perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound lean ground beef (85% lean preferred)
  • 1 cup uncooked white or brown rice (190g)
  • 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (170g)
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups beef broth (480ml), low sodium preferred
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • A handful fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Finely chop the onion and mince the garlic. Measure out rice, broth, and cheese. This should take about 5 minutes.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper as it cooks. Drain excess fat if needed.
  3. Push the beef to one side of the skillet. Add the chopped onion and garlic to the empty side, sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  4. Sprinkle smoked paprika, chili powder, and cumin over the beef and onions. Stir well to coat everything evenly.
  5. Pour the uncooked rice into the skillet and stir to combine with beef and spices. Toast the rice for 1-2 minutes until a slight nutty aroma emerges.
  6. Pour in 2 cups beef broth. Stir once, then bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat to low, cover with lid, and let simmer for 18-20 minutes. Avoid lifting the lid too often.
  7. Check rice doneness; if liquid remains, cook uncovered for a few more minutes until rice is tender but not mushy.
  8. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the skillet. Cover again and let sit off heat for 2-3 minutes to melt the cheese thoroughly.
  9. Gently stir to mix melted cheese throughout. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

If beef dries out while simmering, add a splash more broth or water. Stir gently after adding cheese to keep a gooey texture without clumping. Use long-grain white rice for best texture; brown rice requires longer simmering and extra liquid. Avoid lifting lid frequently during simmering to ensure even rice cooking.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://zorbmeal.com/easy-cheesy-beef-and-rice-skillet-dinner-recipe-for-perfect-weeknight-meals/