One-Pot Spiced Beef and Vegetable Pilaf
A hearty one-pot pilaf featuring spiced ground beef simmered with carrots, peas, and fragrant basmati rice for a comforting meal. This middle eastern-inspired beef ready in about 45 minutes pairs ground beef, basmati rice, carrots 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. 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
- 1 1/2 cups basmati rice
- 2 medium diced carrots
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 medium diced onion
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced medium onion and 3 minced garlic cloves, sauté for 4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb ground beef to the pot and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink, about 6-7 minutes.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, and 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, cooking for 1 minute until spices are aromatic.
- Step 4: Add 2 diced medium carrots, 1 1/2 cups basmati rice, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 3/4 tsp black pepper, stirring well to combine.
- Step 5: Pour in 3 cups chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Step 6: After 15 minutes, add 1 cup frozen peas, cover again and cook for another 5 minutes until rice is tender and liquid absorbed.
- Step 7: Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork and serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Spiced Beef and Vegetable Pilaf take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (15 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 Spiced Beef and Vegetable Pilaf?
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 ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Spiced Beef and Vegetable Pilaf?
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 Spiced Beef and Vegetable Pilaf 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 Spiced Beef and Vegetable Pilaf?
Middle Eastern 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
My family went crazy for this pilaf. Even the picky eaters loved it!
- ★★★★★
Loved this dish! The spices were perfect and it was so easy to make in one pot.
- ★★★★★
Absolutely delicious and aromatic. Will make again and again.
