Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Skillet

Name: Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Skillet
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef; 1 red bell pepper, diced; 1 yellow bell pepper, diced; 1 white onion, diced; 1 tbsp chili powder; 1 tsp cumin; 1 tsp paprika; 1 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1 tbsp minced garlic; 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed; 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes; 1.5 cups beef broth; 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce; 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided; 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish; Sour cream, for serving; Hot sauce, for serving

This one-pan Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Skillet combines seasoned ground beef, diced bell peppers, and rice in a savory tomato-beef broth, finished with a melted cheddar cheese topping for a complete weeknight meal.

🌍American 🏷️Cheesy 🏷️Ground beef 🏷️Rice skillet 🏷️One-pan meal Weeknight dinner

🏷️

🏷️Comfort food

-0:00

cookinginthemidwestonTikTok

Total

40 min

Servings

4

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$32–$53

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok · by cookinginthemidwest

-0:00

cookinginthemidwestonTikTok

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 yellow bell pepper, diced
1 white onion, diced
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed
1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
1.5 cups beef broth
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped, for garnishoptional
Sour cream, for servingoptional
Hot sauce, for servingoptional

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Instructions

1
In a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef, diced bell peppers, and diced onion.
2
Season with chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook, breaking up the beef with a spatula, until the beef is browned and the vegetables have softened.
3
Stir in the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
4
Add the rinsed rice, can of diced tomatoes (undrained), beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir everything together to combine.
5
Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it cook for 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed the liquid.
6
Uncover the skillet and stir in about half of the shredded cheddar cheese until it's melted and incorporated.
7
Top the skillet with the remaining shredded cheese. Place the skillet in the oven and broil for 2-3 minutes, just until the cheese is bubbly and melted.
8
Remove from the oven, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve warm. Top with sour cream and hot sauce if desired.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Brown the ground beef fully and break it into small crumbles for even texture and flavor distribution throughout the skillet.
Add the rice to the hot beef broth to allow it to absorb flavors directly; stir once after the first 5 minutes to prevent sticking.
Sprinkle cheese evenly across the top and cover the skillet off-heat for 2–3 minutes so it melts into a cohesive layer rather than settling into clumps.
Use a skillet with a tight-fitting lid to trap steam and cook the rice evenly; a Dutch oven works well if your skillet lacks a lid.

Substitutions

Red bell pepper → green bell pepper (slightly more bitter flavor)
Cheddar cheese → Monterey Jack or Colby cheese (milder, creamier melt)
Beef broth → chicken broth (lighter flavor profile)
Chili powder → smoked paprika or cayenne (adjust heat to taste)

Storage & make-ahead

Store covered in the refrigerator up to 3 days; reheat on the stovetop over medium heat with a splash of broth or in a 350°F oven covered for 15–20 minutes.

Equipment

large skillet with lid (10–12 inches) · wooden spoon or spatula for browning and stirring

Common Questions

Can I use a different type of rice?

Yes. White, brown, or long-grain rice all work. Brown rice may need additional liquid and 5–10 minutes longer cooking time.

What type of cheese works best for this skillet?

Sharp or extra-sharp cheddar melts smoothly and adds flavor, but mild cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend also work well.

Can I prepare this ahead of time?

Brown the beef and prep vegetables up to 1 day ahead. Assemble and cook fresh for best texture, or refrigerate the complete skillet and reheat covered at 350°F until warmed through.