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Easy Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Skillet: Best 30-Min Meal

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A quick and comforting one-skillet dinner with ground beef, rice, and melted cheddar cheese, ready in about 30 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450g) ground beef (80/20)
  • 1 cup (200g) long-grain white rice
  • 2 cups (480ml) low-sodium beef broth
  • 2 cups (200g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • Optional: chopped fresh parsley or sliced green onions for garnish

Instructions

  1. Brown the beef: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until browned (5-7 minutes). Drain excess fat if needed.
  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. Build flavor: Stir in tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly.
  4. Add rice and liquid: Stir in uncooked rice for 30 seconds to toast. Pour in beef broth, scraping up browned bits. Bring to a gentle boil.
  5. Simmer rice: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 15-18 minutes without lifting the lid. Check rice for tenderness; cook 2-3 more minutes if needed.
  6. Add cheese: Remove from heat. Stir in 1½ cups cheddar until melted. Sprinkle remaining ½ cup on top. Cover 1-2 minutes to melt.
  7. Rest and serve: Let sit uncovered 5 minutes. Garnish with parsley or green onions if desired. Serve hot.

Notes

For a crispy cheese top, broil the skillet for 1-2 minutes after adding the final cheese layer (ensure skillet is oven-safe). Let the dish rest 5 minutes before serving for best texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: ground beef, rice, cheddar, skillet dinner, 30-minute meal, easy dinner, cheesy, one-pot

Find it online: https://sweetstirring.com/easy-cheesy-ground-beef-and-rice-skillet-best-30-min-meal/