One-Pot Spiced Beef and Rice Pilaf with Toasted Almonds

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-01 · Updated 2026-05-01

A comforting one-pot pilaf combining tender ground beef with fragrant spices, fluffy rice, and crunchy toasted almonds for texture contrast. This Middle Eastern-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs ground beef, olive oil, yellow 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 lb ground beef
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium, finely chopped yellow onion
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 1/2 cups rinsed long grain white rice
• 3 cups beef broth
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds
• 2 tbsp chopped for garnish fresh cilantro

The Dutch oven we’d braise this in → Best Dutch Ovens for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb ground beef and cook for 5 minutes, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon until browned and no pink remains.
2. Step 2: Add 1 finely chopped yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves to the beef. Sauté for 4 minutes until the onion is translucent and fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir in 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon and 1 tsp ground cumin, cooking for 1 minute until the spices release their aroma.
4. Step 4: Add 1 1/2 cups rinsed long grain white rice, stirring to coat the grains in the spiced beef mixture.
5. Step 5: Pour in 3 cups beef broth, then season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18 minutes until rice is tender and liquid absorbed.
6. Step 6: While the rice cooks, toast 1/4 cup sliced almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until golden and fragrant, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
7. Step 7: Remove the pilaf from heat, fluff the rice gently with a fork, then sprinkle the toasted almonds and 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro on top before serving.