Stovetop Cheesy Beef and Broccoli Rice Skillet
A quick one-pan meal combining savory ground beef, tender broccoli florets, and fluffy rice all melted together with mild cheddar cheese for a comforting dish picky eaters will enjoy. This american-inspired kid friendly ready in about 40 minutes pairs ground beef, 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. 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 white rice
- 2 1/4 cups beef broth
- 2 cups, chopped into bite-sized pieces broccoli florets
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup shredded mild cheddar cheese
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb ground beef and 2 cloves minced garlic, breaking the beef apart with a spoon. Cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and no pink remains, then drain excess fat.
- Step 2: Stir in 1 cup white rice, 2 cups chopped broccoli florets, 2 1/4 cups beef broth, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 tsp onion powder. Bring mixture to a boil.
- Step 3: Reduce heat to low, cover skillet tightly, and simmer for 18-20 minutes until rice is cooked and broccoli is tender.
- Step 4: Remove from heat and sprinkle 1 cup shredded mild cheddar cheese evenly over the rice and beef mixture. Cover again for 3-4 minutes to melt the cheese.
- Step 5: Gently fluff the cheesy beef and broccoli rice with a fork and serve warm.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stovetop Cheesy Beef and Broccoli Rice Skillet 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 Stovetop Cheesy Beef and Broccoli Rice Skillet?
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 Stovetop Cheesy Beef and Broccoli Rice Skillet?
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 Stovetop Cheesy Beef and Broccoli Rice Skillet 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 Stovetop Cheesy Beef and Broccoli Rice Skillet?
American kid friendly 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.
