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Easy Cheesy Beef Rice Skillet: Best 30-Minute Dinner

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A quick and comforting one-pan meal featuring seasoned ground beef, fluffy rice, and gooey melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for busy weeknights, this 30-minute recipe uses simple ingredients and delivers a hearty, crowd-pleasing dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 works best)
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice (uncooked)
  • 2 cups beef broth (low-sodium preferred)
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (sharp cheddar recommended)
  • 1 small onion, diced (about ½ cup)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Optional: ½ cup frozen peas or corn
  • Optional: Fresh parsley or green onions for garnish

Instructions

  1. Heat the oil: Place your large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Let it shimmer for about 30 seconds.
  2. Cook the beef: Add the ground beef to the hot skillet. Break it up with your wooden spoon and let it brown for about 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally. Drain off any excess fat if needed, leaving about a tablespoon in the pan.
  3. Sauté the aromatics: Push the beef to one side of the skillet. Add the diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until it starts to soften. Then add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir everything together.
  4. Add the tomato paste and seasonings: Stir in the tomato paste, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
  5. Add the rice and broth: Pour in the uncooked rice and stir to coat it in all the beefy goodness. Then pour in the beef broth. Give it a good stir, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  6. Bring to a boil, then simmer: Let the mixture come to a boil. Once it’s bubbling, reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet with the lid, and let it simmer for 18-20 minutes. Do not lift the lid during this time.
  7. Check the rice: After 18 minutes, remove the lid and check the rice. It should be tender and have absorbed most of the liquid. If it’s still a bit firm, cover and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
  8. Add the cheese: Remove the skillet from the heat. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Cover the skillet again for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is melted and gooey.
  9. Optional: Add veggies: If you’re using frozen peas or corn, stir them in right before adding the cheese.
  10. Serve: Give everything a final stir to combine the melted cheese into the rice and beef. Garnish with fresh parsley or green onions if desired. Serve hot straight from the skillet.

Notes

For best results, use hot broth, shred your own cheese, and resist lifting the lid while the rice cooks. If the rice is too wet after cooking, let it sit uncovered for a minute. If too dry, add a splash of broth or water before adding the cheese.

Nutrition

Keywords: cheesy beef rice skillet, one-pan dinner, 30-minute meal, ground beef recipe, easy weeknight dinner, cheesy rice, comfort food

Find it online: https://flurpchef.com/easy-cheesy-beef-rice-skillet-best-30-minute-dinner/