One-Pan Cheesy Beef and Rice Skillet
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 ready in about 40 minutes pairs lean ground beef, medium, diced yellow onion, minced 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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pan Cheesy Beef and Rice Skillet take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover One-Pan Cheesy Beef and Rice Skillet?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep lean ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pan Cheesy Beef and Rice Skillet?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale One-Pan Cheesy Beef and Rice Skillet for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with One-Pan Cheesy Beef and Rice Skillet?
American kid friendly like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
