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Creamy Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Skillet

creamy cheesy ground beef and rice skillet - featured image
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A quick, one-pan weeknight dinner featuring tender long-grain white rice, seasoned ground beef, and a rich, creamy cheddar cheese sauce. This comforting meal is ready in under 30 minutes and requires minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound 80/20 ground beef
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup tomato sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream or whole milk
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until no pink remains (approx. 5 minutes). Drain excess grease if necessary, leaving a little for flavor.
  2. Add diced onion to the beef and sauté until soft and translucent (approx. 2 minutes). Add minced garlic in the last 30 seconds to prevent burning.
  3. Sprinkle Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder over the meat. Stir well to coat and bloom the spices (approx. 1 minute).
  4. Pour in uncooked rice, chicken broth, and tomato sauce. Stir to combine and ensure rice is submerged in liquid.
  5. Bring the mixture to a boil, then immediately reduce heat to low. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and simmer undisturbed for 15-18 minutes, or until rice is tender and liquid is mostly absorbed.
  6. Remove skillet from heat. Keep lid on for 1 minute to let residual heat melt the cheese. Stir in shredded cheddar and heavy cream until melted and creamy.
  7. Let the skillet rest off the heat for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Stir once more, taste, and add salt and pepper if needed before serving.

Notes

Do not stir the rice while simmering to prevent gumminess. Ensure the heat is low enough to simmer gently without burning the bottom. If using lean beef, add a splash of olive oil. For a vegetarian version, swap beef for tofu or plant-based meat and use vegetable broth. Pre-shredded cheese may result in a grainy sauce; block cheese melts smoother.

Nutrition

Keywords: ground beef, rice skillet, one pot meal, cheesy dinner, quick weeknight dinner, comfort food, family friendly, 30 minute meals

Find it online: https://lunafeast.com/creamy-cheesy-ground-beef-and-rice-skillet-best-30-minute-dinner/