One-Pot Spiced Ground Beef and Tomato Pilaf

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-27 · Updated 2026-04-27

A fragrant ground beef pilaf cooked in one pot with warm spices and tender tomatoes, perfect for a quick and hearty meal. This Mediterranean-inspired meal-prep recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs ground beef, long grain rice, yellow onion 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 cup long grain rice
• 1 medium, diced yellow onion
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 14 oz can diced tomatoes
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 1 diced medium yellow onion and sauté for 4 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
2. Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds until aromatic but not browned.
3. Step 3: Add 1 lb ground beef, breaking it apart with a spatula, and cook for 6-7 minutes until browned and no longer pink.
4. Step 4: Stir in 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper, cooking for another minute until spices release their aroma.
5. Step 5: Pour in 14 oz canned diced tomatoes with their juice and 2 cups chicken broth, scraping any browned bits from the bottom.
6. Step 6: Add 1 cup long grain rice, stir to combine, and bring mixture to a boil.
7. Step 7: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
8. Step 8: Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley before serving.