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Skillet of cooked ground beef and rice with melted cheese.

Ground Beef and Rice: Easy One-Skillet Comfort Food

This Ground Beef and Rice recipe is a hearty one-skillet wonder perfect for busy weeknights. With simple pantry ingredients and a 40-minute cook time, it delivers comforting flavors the whole family will love—plus easy cleanup!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 0.75 tsp salt and pepper to taste
  • 14.5 oz diced tomatoes canned
  • 1.5 cups beef broth
  • 1 cup white rice uncooked
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1.5 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 cup shredded cheese

Method
 

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and let it sit undisturbed for a few minutes to get a crust. Then break it up and cook until browned.
  2. Add chopped onion, garlic, and green bell pepper. Sauté for about 3–5 minutes until softened.
  3. Stir in diced tomatoes (with juices), beef broth, uncooked white rice, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
  4. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and cook for 20–25 minutes until the rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
  5. Remove from heat. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top and cover again for 2–3 minutes until melted. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.

Notes

You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for beef, or try different vegetables like corn, peas, or red bell peppers. For a spicy twist, add chili flakes or hot sauce. Mozzarella or pepper jack are great cheese alternatives.