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Quick Ground Beef and Rice Skillet: 20-Min Easy Dinner

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A fast, one-pot weeknight dinner featuring savory ground beef and fluffy white rice simmered in beef broth with simple spices. It’s budget-friendly, requires minimal prep, and delivers comforting flavor in just 20 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) ground beef (90/10 or 80/20)
  • 1 cup (200g) long-grain white rice
  • 1 ½ cups (360ml) low-sodium beef broth
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon butter

Instructions

  1. Prep ingredients: Dice the onion, mince the garlic, and measure out spices and broth.
  2. Heat a large 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and break it into small crumbles. Cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and no longer pink. Season with salt and pepper.
  3. Add diced onion to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes until soft and translucent.
  4. Add minced garlic and tomato paste. Stir constantly for 1 minute until garlic is fragrant and tomato paste darkens slightly.
  5. Pour in beef broth, scraping the bottom of the pan to release browned bits. Stir in rice and all dry spices (paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme). Bring to a boil.
  6. Reduce heat to low, cover tightly with a lid, and simmer for 15 minutes without lifting the lid.
  7. Check rice for tenderness. If needed, add a splash of water and cover for 2-3 more minutes.
  8. Remove from heat and stir in butter. Let sit covered for 5 minutes to rest.
  9. Fluff with a fork and serve hot.

Notes

Do not use brown rice or instant rice as they require different cooking times. Ensure the lid fits tightly to trap steam. If using a gas stove, keep the flame low to prevent burning the bottom. Taste broth before adding extra salt as some broths are very salty. For a vegetarian version, swap beef for lentils or plant-based meat. For a spicy kick, add chili powder or red pepper flakes.

Nutrition

Keywords: ground beef, rice skillet, quick dinner, weeknight meals, one pot, easy recipe, comfort food, budget dinner

Find it online: https://bakebeam.com/quick-ground-beef-and-rice-skillet-20-min-easy-dinner/