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Easy Ground Beef & Rice Skillet: 5-Ingredient Dinner

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A quick, one-pan weeknight dinner that combines browned ground beef, fluffy white rice, and savory spices in a simple skillet. Perfect for busy nights when you need a comforting meal with minimal effort and cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice
  • 2 cups beef broth (low-sodium)
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

Instructions

  1. Dice the onion and mince the garlic, setting them aside.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it apart with a wooden spoon, cooking until no longer pink (5-7 minutes). Drain excess grease if desired, but leave some for flavor.
  3. Add the diced onion to the beef and sauté until translucent and soft (about 3 minutes).
  4. Add the minced garlic, salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme. Stir constantly for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Pour in the uncooked rice and beef broth. Stir to combine and ensure rice is submerged. Bring the mixture to a boil.
  6. Reduce heat to low, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and simmer undisturbed for 15-20 minutes.
  7. Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes to rest.
  8. Remove lid and fluff the rice with a fork before serving.

Notes

Do not stir the rice while it simmers to prevent a gummy texture. Ensure the rice is submerged in liquid before covering. If using lean beef, the dish may be drier. For variations, try adding Worcestershire sauce for umami or swap spices for a Mexican twist with cumin and chili powder.

Nutrition

Keywords: ground beef, rice skillet, easy dinner, weeknight meals, one pan, comfort food, quick recipes, beef and rice

Find it online: https://gleefulfork.com/easy-ground-beef-and-rice-skillet-5-ingredient-dinner/