Layered Beef and Rice Bowl with Spiced Tomato Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-30 · Updated 2026-04-30

A hearty layered rice bowl featuring tender ground beef cooked in a robust spiced tomato sauce, served over fluffy steamed rice. This Latin American recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs ground beef, white rice, water for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 cup white rice
• 2 cups water
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium, diced yellow onion
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 14 oz canned diced tomatoes
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse 1 cup white rice under cold water until water runs clear. Combine rice with 2 cups water in a medium saucepan, bring to a boil over high heat.
2. Step 2: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer rice for 18 minutes until water is absorbed and rice is fluffy. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes.
3. Step 3: While rice cooks, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering, about 1-2 minutes.
4. Step 4: Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet, sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
5. Step 5: Add 1 lb ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook for 6-7 minutes until browned and no longer pink.
6. Step 6: Stir in 14 oz canned diced tomatoes, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Simmer the sauce for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until thickened and flavorful.
7. Step 7: To assemble, place a layer of steamed rice in bowls, spoon the spiced beef tomato sauce over the top, and garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro before serving.