One-Pot Beef and Rice Skillet with Sweet Peppers
A hearty one-pan meal combining ground beef, fragrant rice, and colorful sweet peppers for an easy family dinner. This american-inspired beef ready in about 40 minutes pairs pound ground beef, tablespoon olive oil, medium, diced onion 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 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 1 medium, diced sweet red bell pepper
- 1 medium, diced sweet yellow bell pepper
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 pound ground beef and cook for 6-7 minutes, breaking it apart with a spatula, until browned and no longer pink.
- Step 2: Add 1 medium diced onion, 1 medium diced red bell pepper, 1 medium diced yellow bell pepper, and 3 cloves minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until the vegetables soften and become fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 cup long grain white rice, 2 cups beef broth, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper until everything is evenly combined.
- Step 4: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18-20 minutes until the rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- Step 5: Remove the lid and sprinkle 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Cover again and let sit off the heat for 5 minutes until the cheese melts and the dish is creamy.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Beef and Rice Skillet with Sweet Peppers 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-Pot Beef and Rice Skillet with Sweet Peppers?
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 pound ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Beef and Rice Skillet with Sweet Peppers?
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-Pot Beef and Rice Skillet with Sweet Peppers 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-Pot Beef and Rice Skillet with Sweet Peppers?
American beef 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.
