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Easy Ground Beef and Rice Skillet Dinner: Best One-Pan Meal

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A quick and easy one-pan skillet dinner with ground beef, rice, and simple seasonings. Ready in 30 minutes, this family-friendly meal is perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450g) ground beef (85/15)
  • 1 cup (200g) long-grain white rice
  • 2 cups (480ml) beef broth (low-sodium preferred)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium bell pepper (red, orange, or yellow), diced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and break it apart. Cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes to develop a brown crust, then stir and cook until fully browned, about 5-7 minutes. Spoon out excess fat, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan.
  2. Reduce heat to medium. Add diced onion and bell pepper. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onion is translucent and pepper softens.
  3. Push vegetables to one side. Add minced garlic and tomato paste to the empty space. Cook for 30-60 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant and tomato paste darkens. Stir everything together.
  4. Sprinkle oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper over the mixture. Stir well. Add Worcestershire sauce and stir again.
  5. Pour rice into the pan and stir to combine. Pour in beef broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Bring to a gentle boil.
  6. Reduce heat to low, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and simmer undisturbed for 18-20 minutes. Do not lift the lid.
  7. Turn off heat and let the skillet sit, still covered, for 5 minutes. Remove lid and fluff rice gently with a fork. If rice looks wet, let sit uncovered for 2-3 minutes.
  8. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

Don’t skip browning the beef—it builds flavor. Use long-grain white rice for best texture; avoid instant rice. Do not lift the lid while simmering. Let the dish rest for 5 minutes after cooking. For meal prep, slightly undercook the rice if freezing.

Nutrition

Keywords: ground beef, rice, skillet dinner, one-pan meal, quick dinner, weeknight dinner, budget-friendly, family meal

Find it online: https://twinkletaste.com/easy-ground-beef-and-rice-skillet-dinner-best-one-pan-meal/