Description
This Ground Beef and Rice Skillet is a savory, Mexican-inspired one-pot meal with a wonderfully saucy texture and mild heat, perfect for family dinners. It combines ground beef, rice, and vegetables cooked together in a skillet for an easy, flavorful dish topped with melted cheese and fresh herbs.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 1/2 cups lower-sodium beef broth
- 1 (4 ounce) can diced green chiles
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup shredded Cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped green onion or cilantro
Instructions
- Gather Ingredients: Assemble all the ingredients needed for the recipe to ensure a smooth cooking process.
- Cook Beef and Vegetables: In a large tall-sided skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef along with chopped onion, red bell pepper, and minced garlic. Stir occasionally to break up the beef and cook until the beef is no longer pink and the vegetables are tender, approximately 8 minutes. Drain excess fat to keep the dish less greasy.
- Add Rice and Spices: Stir in the long grain white rice, salt, and ground cumin. Cook and stir the mixture for about 1 minute to toast the rice slightly and blend flavors.
- Add Tomato Paste: Incorporate the tomato paste and stir well, cooking for another minute to deepen the flavor.
- Combine Liquids and Tomatoes: Add the undrained diced tomatoes, lower-sodium beef broth, diced green chiles, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Simmer: Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer until the liquid is mostly absorbed and the rice is tender, about 20 minutes.
- Rest and Melt Cheese: Remove the skillet from heat. Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top, cover, and let the skillet stand for about 5 minutes so the cheese melts nicely.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with chopped green onion or cilantro before serving for a fresh burst of flavor and color.
Notes
- Use lower-sodium broth to control salt levels.
- For a spicier dish, add jalapeños or use hot diced chiles instead of mild ones.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Ensure the skillet you use has a tight-fitting lid to trap steam while simmering.
- If you prefer a creamier texture, stir in a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
