Lina: Samad, it’s Tuesday night, I’ve got one pan and zero energy.
Samad: Say less I’ve got a cheesy one-pot ground beef skillet that’ll save your life. Comfort food with barely any dishes.
Lina: Perfect for Canadian families looking for cozy meals without the mess! And bonus ground beef is super budget-friendly.
Table of Contents
Why We Love This One-Pot Ground Beef Recipe
Samad: Okay, hear me out: juicy ground beef, tender rice, sweet bell peppers, all simmered together in one skillet then topped with a gooey blanket of cheese.
Lina: It’s like a warm hug in a bowl. Plus, this recipe uses pantry staples. You’ve probably already got everything in your kitchen.
Samad: And if you’ve got picky eaters at home? This one’s a winner. Kids love it. Adults love it. Even your neighbour who “doesn’t do carbs” will sneak a second bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need (Nothing Fancy!)
Lina: Alright, what are we grabbing?
Samad:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper (any colour), diced
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 1 can (398 mL) diced tomatoes
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Lina: Told you all stuff I already have. And if you don’t have beef broth, you can totally use water with a bouillon cube.
Samad: Exactly. No need to overthink it.
How to Make It: Step-by-Step
Brown That Beef
Lina: First things first heat a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Toss in the ground beef and cook until it’s no longer pink.
Samad: Don’t forget to break it up with a wooden spoon as you go. Then drain the excess fat. Unless you’re into extra flavour no judgement.
Add Flavour Layers
Lina: Stir in the diced onion, garlic, and bell pepper. Cook for 3–4 minutes, until the veggies start to soften.
Samad: This is when your kitchen starts smelling amazing.
Lina: Don’t skip the garlic it brings that cozy depth of flavour.
Let’s Simmer
Samad: Add the rice, diced tomatoes (with juices), beef broth, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Give it a good stir.
Lina: Bring it to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 18–20 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and most of the liquid is absorbed.
Samad: And try not to peek too much. The steam is doing the hard work here.
Add That Cheese Love
Lina: Alright, once the rice is tender and the skillet’s looking thick and hearty, sprinkle the shredded cheddar right over the top.
Samad: Cover it again for a couple minutes, just until the cheese melts into that gooey, bubbly goodness.
Lina: Or if you’re feeling fancy, pop it under the broiler for 2–3 minutes for a golden cheesy crust.
Serve It Up
Samad: Grab a spoon and dive in! Garnish with chopped parsley if you’re feelin’ fancy.
Lina: This dish is perfect straight from the pan. But if you’ve got leftovers? It reheats like a dream.
Tips for Making It Even Easier
Can I make it ahead?
Lina: Totally! You can cook it earlier in the day and reheat it for dinner. The flavours get even better.
Can I freeze it?
Samad: Yep! Just cool it down, pop it into freezer-safe containers, and it’ll last up to 3 months. Great for meal prep.
Want to switch it up?
Lina:
- Swap cheddar for mozzarella or Monterey Jack.
- Add frozen peas or corn for extra veggies.
- Use brown rice just add an extra 10 mins cook time and a bit more broth.
FAQs: Your One-Pot Questions, Answered
1. Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
Samad: For sure! It’ll be a bit leaner, but still tasty. You might want to add a bit more seasoning since turkey is milder.
2. What type of rice works best?
Lina: Long-grain white rice is our go-to. Jasmine works great too. Avoid instant or parboiled they’ll mess with the liquid ratio.
3. Is this spicy?
Samad: Not unless you make it spicy! If you want a kick, toss in some chili flakes or a bit of hot sauce.
4. What size skillet should I use?
Lina: A big one at least 12 inches wide and deep enough to hold all that liquid while it simmers.
5. Can I make this dairy-free?
Samad: Just skip the cheese or use a dairy-free alternative. The skillet is still rich and flavourful without it.
If you’re all about easy dinners, check out more of our one-pot wonders — wholesome meals with minimal cleanup!
The Cozy One-Pot Wrap-Up
Lina: We hope this cheesy ground beef and rice skillet brings a little joy to your table.
Samad: And don’t forget the best meals are the ones shared with family. Especially when there’s only one pan to clean!
Cheesy One-Pot Ground Beef Skillet
Equipment
- Large Deep Skillet
- Wooden Spoon
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 bell pepper diced, any colour
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 1 can diced tomatoes 398 mL, with juices
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- fresh parsley optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Drain excess fat if desired.
- Add the diced onion, garlic, and bell pepper. Cook for 3–4 minutes until softened.
- Stir in rice, diced tomatoes with their juices, beef broth, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Bring to a gentle boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18–20 minutes until rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top. Cover again for 2–3 minutes until cheese is melted. For a golden top, place under broiler briefly.
- Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot straight from the skillet.
