One-Pan Cheesy Beef and Rice Skillet

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-02 · Updated 2026-07-02

A simple and hearty skillet meal combining ground beef, rice, and melted cheese that pleases picky eaters and cooks quickly on weeknights. This American-inspired kid-friendly recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs lean ground beef, yellow onion, garlic cloves 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 lean ground beef
• 1 medium, diced yellow onion
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 can (14.5 oz), drained diced tomatoes
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 tbsp chopped, optional fresh parsley

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb lean ground beef and 1 medium diced yellow onion. Cook for 6-7 minutes, breaking up the beef with a spatula, until beef is browned and onion is softened. Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
2. Step 2: Add 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice, 2 cups beef broth, 1 can (14.5 oz) drained diced tomatoes, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning to the skillet. Stir to combine and bring to a boil.
3. Step 3: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18-20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and sprinkle 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
4. Step 4: Cover again and let sit for 5 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley if desired before serving warm.