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One-Pan Cheesy Ground Beef Skillet: Easy Dinner in 30 Minutes!

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A quick and easy one-pan meal with ground beef, rice, and melted cheese, perfect for busy weeknights. Ready in 30 minutes with simple ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 1 medium bell pepper, diced (any color)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
  • 1 cup beef broth, low-sodium
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook the beef and aromatics: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it apart, until browned (5-6 minutes). Leave about 1 tablespoon of fat in the pan. Add diced onion and bell pepper; cook 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic, smoked paprika, chili powder, oregano, salt, and pepper; cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
  2. Add the liquids and rice: Pour in diced tomatoes (with juices), tomato sauce, beef broth, and uncooked rice. Stir to combine, scraping up browned bits from the bottom. Bring to a gentle boil.
  3. Simmer until rice is tender: Reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer for 18-20 minutes. Do not lift the lid. Check rice; if still firm, cover and cook 2-3 more minutes. If dry, add 2-3 tablespoons water or broth.
  4. Add the cheese: Remove lid. Sprinkle cheddar and mozzarella evenly over the top. Cover and let sit off heat for 2-3 minutes until cheese melts. Do not stir.
  5. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle with fresh parsley or cilantro if desired. Serve immediately from the skillet.

Notes

For best results, shred cheese from a block to avoid anti-caking agents. Do not lift the lid while rice simmers. If using lean ground beef, add 1 tablespoon olive oil when cooking onions. Leftovers keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://freshforkful.com/one-pan-cheesy-ground-beef-skillet-easy-dinner-in-30-minutes/