One-Pot Cheesy Beef and Rice Skillet

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-28 · Updated 2026-04-28

A comforting one-pot meal of seasoned ground beef, fluffy rice, and melted cheese that kids and adults both love. This american-inspired beef ready in about 40 minutes pairs ground beef, uncooked long grain white rice, beef broth for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 medium onion chopped
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 medium chopped onion and 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
2. Step 2: Add 1 lb ground beef to the skillet and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink, about 6-7 minutes. Drain excess fat.
3. Step 3: Stir in 1 tsp chili powder, 1/2 tsp cumin, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until well combined.
4. Step 4: Add 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice, 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juices, and 2 cups beef broth to the skillet. Stir to combine.
5. Step 5: Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 18-20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
6. Step 6: Remove skillet from heat and sprinkle 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Cover again and let sit for 5 minutes until cheese is melted and gooey before serving.