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Kid-Approved One-Pan Ground Beef and Rice Skillet

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A quick and easy one-pan meal with ground beef, rice, and vegetables that comes together in about 30 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, this comforting skillet dinner is a family-friendly favorite made with simple pantry ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 preferred)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (if using lean beef)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
  • 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 ½ cups low-sodium beef broth
  • 1 teaspoon paprika (sweet or smoked)
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
  • Optional: fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

Instructions

  1. Brown the beef: Place a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until nicely browned, about 5-7 minutes. Spoon out excess fat if needed, leaving a little for flavor.
  2. Sauté aromatics: Reduce heat to medium. Add diced onion and cook 2-3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Add rice and seasonings: Sprinkle uncooked rice over beef and onion. Add paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir for 1 minute to toast rice slightly.
  4. Pour in liquids: Add diced tomatoes with juices and beef broth. Stir well, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Bring to a gentle boil.
  5. Simmer and cook: Reduce heat to low, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and simmer gently for 18-20 minutes. Do not lift the lid during this time.
  6. Add frozen vegetables: Remove lid. If rice is tender and liquid absorbed, add frozen peas and carrots. Stir gently. Cover and let sit off heat for 5 minutes.
  7. Fluff and serve: Remove lid, fluff rice with a fork. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve straight from the skillet.

Notes

For best results, don’t lift the lid during simmering. If rice is still crunchy after 20 minutes, add ¼ cup more broth and cook covered for 5 more minutes. Low-sodium broth is recommended for better salt control. Let the dish rest for 5 minutes after adding frozen vegetables to allow flavors to meld.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://zorbmeal.com/kid-approved-one-pan-ground-beef-and-rice-skillet/