Description

A hearty, freezer-friendly one-skillet meal that combines ground beef, long grain white rice, and cheddar cheese. Designed for meal prep, it yields four servings that reheat well and maintain texture.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
1 cup long grain white rice
2 cups chicken broth (low sodium)
1.5 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
0.5 cup tomato sauce
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp paprika
0.5 tsp salt
0.5 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp olive oil (optional, if using leaner beef)

Instructions

Heat a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and break it into small crumbles with a wooden spoon. Cook for 5-7 minutes until no pink remains. Drain excessive grease if necessary, leaving a little for flavor.
Reduce heat to medium. Add diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper; toast spices for 30 seconds.
Pour in chicken broth and tomato sauce, scraping up browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Add uncooked rice and stir once. Bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to low, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and simmer for 15 minutes without lifting the lid. Check that rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
Remove skillet from heat and let rest covered for 1 minute. Stir in half of the shredded cheese until melted. Top with remaining cheese and let sit for another minute to create a cheesy crust.
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Portion into containers for meal prep.

Notes

Do not substitute brown rice as it does not absorb the sauce well and becomes chewy. Let the rice rest for 5 minutes after cooking to redistribute moisture. When reheating, add a splash of water or broth to restore moisture. For dairy-free, skip cheese and use nutritional yeast.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1.5 cups per contain
Calories: 520
Sugar: 4
Sodium: 680
Fat: 24
Saturated Fat: 12
Carbohydrates: 45
Fiber: 2
Protein: 28

Keywords: meal prep, one skillet, cheesy beef rice, freezer friendly, ground beef recipes, easy dinner, batch cooking