Description
A one-pan, flavor-packed dinner made with seasoned ground beef, rice, and fresh vegetables. Quick to prepare, comforting to eat, and endlessly customizable—perfect for busy weeknights or when you just need a hearty, balanced meal in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) lean ground beef (85–90% lean)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1–2 bell peppers (any color), chopped
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1–1½ cups uncooked rice (white or brown)
- 2–2½ cups beef or chicken broth (or water + bouillon)
- 1–2 cups mixed vegetables (fresh or frozen – peas, corn, carrots, green beans)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp cumin
- ½ tsp oregano or chili powder (optional)
- Drizzle of olive oil (if needed)
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil if using very lean beef.
- Add ground beef, break into crumbles, and cook until mostly browned.
- Add diced onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Sauté until softened and fragrant, about 3–5 minutes.
- Season with salt, pepper, paprika, cumin, and any other spices. Stir to combine.
- Stir in uncooked rice. Toast for 1 minute to coat with flavor.
- Pour in broth and add mixed vegetables. Stir well.
- Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and cook until rice is tender and liquid absorbed (15–20 minutes for white rice, longer for brown).
- Fluff rice with a fork, adjust seasoning if needed. Let sit covered for a few minutes off heat.
- Optionally stir in herbs, shredded cheese, or a squeeze of lemon/lime before serving.
Notes
Swap rice for quinoa or cauliflower rice for low-carb versions. Add salsa, beans, or diced tomatoes for variation. Great for meal prep and stores well for up to 4 days in the fridge.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 670mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 75mg