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One-Pan Cheesy Ground Beef Skillet – Best Easy Dinner

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This easy one-pan cheesy ground beef skillet is a quick and comforting weeknight dinner made with ground beef, rice, tomatoes, and sharp cheddar cheese. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s a hearty, one-pot meal that the whole family will love.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 works best)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained (fire-roasted recommended)
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked and rinsed
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • Fresh parsley or cilantro for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart, until browned (5-7 minutes). Drain excess fat, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan.
  2. Reduce heat to medium. Add the diced onion and bell pepper. Cook for 3-4 minutes until onions are translucent and peppers soften. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Pour in the undrained diced tomatoes, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Stir, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  4. Stir in the rinsed rice and beef broth. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18 minutes.
  5. After 18 minutes, check the rice. It should be tender and have absorbed most of the liquid. If still firm, add a splash more broth or water, cover, and cook for 2-3 more minutes.
  6. Remove the skillet from the heat. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Cover and let sit for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is melted and gooey.
  7. Remove the lid, gently stir to incorporate the cheese (or leave as a cheesy crust), garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro if desired, and serve hot.

Notes

For best results, use 80/20 ground beef for flavor, rinse the rice to remove excess starch, and shred your own cheddar cheese for smoother melting. Let the skillet rest off the heat after adding cheese to allow flavors to meld. If rice isn’t done after 18 minutes, add a little extra liquid and cook a few more minutes. Avoid stirring the rice too much while cooking to prevent gumminess.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://lucastable.com/one-pan-cheesy-ground-beef-skillet-best-easy-dinner/