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Easy One-Pan Cheesy Ground Beef Skillet Recipe

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A quick and comforting one-pan dinner featuring perfectly browned ground beef, melted cheddar cheese, and seasoned rice, all cooked together in under 30 minutes. This recipe is a weeknight lifesaver that tastes like a warm hug after a long day.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 works best)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked (Jasmine or Basmati preferred)
  • 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained (fire-roasted preferred)
  • 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked paprika is amazing)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano (or Italian seasoning blend)
  • ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground)
  • 1½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (shred your own for best results)
  • Optional: ½ cup frozen peas or corn
  • Optional: Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Heat the oil in a 12-inch skillet or deep sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart, until browned—about 5-6 minutes. Let it sit to get crispy bits. Drain excess fat if needed, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan.
  2. Add the onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Stir in the rice, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to toast the rice slightly.
  4. Pour in the beef broth and diced tomatoes (with their juices). Stir everything together, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 15-18 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid. Avoid lifting the lid too often.
  6. Remove from heat and sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top. Cover again and let it sit for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is melted and gooey. For extra browning, broil for 1-2 minutes.
  7. Garnish with parsley if using, and serve hot straight from the pan.

Notes

For best results, shred your own cheddar cheese—pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that can make the texture grainy. If rice isn’t tender after 18 minutes, add a splash more broth or water and cook for another 2-3 minutes. This recipe is naturally gluten-free; double-check broth and diced tomatoes labels if needed.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://tinastirs.com/easy-one-pan-cheesy-ground-beef-skillet-recipe/