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+ servings

One-Pan Cheesy Beef and Rice Skillet

A crowd-pleasing one-skillet dinner with seasoned beef, tender jasmine rice, and a creamy white queso finish. Perfect for taco night weeknights!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 1
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 500

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp dried cilantro
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tbsp minced garlic
  • 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 cup jasmine rice, uncooked rinsed first
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 cup white queso cheese dip warmed, or more to taste
  • 8 flour tortillas for serving (optional)
  • 1 cup pico de gallo for serving (optional)
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped for garnish

Method
 

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and chopped onion, using a spatula to break up the meat. Sprinkle with salt, black pepper, cayenne, cumin, dried cilantro, and chili powder. Cook until the beef is fully browned and the onion is soft, about 5 to 7 minutes.
  2. Drain away any excess grease from the skillet, then push the beef mixture to the outer edges, leaving a clear center space. Pour the olive oil into the center and add the rinsed jasmine rice. Stir the rice in the oil for about 2 minutes, letting it toast lightly until it smells nutty.
  3. Add the tomato sauce, minced garlic, and beef broth to the skillet. Stir everything together thoroughly, making sure no rice is stuck to the bottom. Bring the liquid to a rapid boil.
  4. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet with a lid, and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed nearly all the liquid. Turn off the heat, fluff the rice with a fork, then replace the lid and let it rest for 5 minutes.
  5. Warm the white queso dip in the microwave until smooth and pourable. Drizzle it generously over the beef and rice. Sprinkle with fresh cilantro and serve straight from the skillet, or scoop into warm flour tortillas and top with pico de gallo. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 500kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 28gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 88mgSodium: 1065mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4g

Notes

For the best texture, stick with jasmine rice since it cooks quickly and stays fluffy. If you swap in a different rice, expect to adjust the simmer time.
Feel free to turn up the spice level with extra cayenne or a pinch of smoked paprika for a deeper flavor.
Make it a heartier meal by stirring in a can of drained black beans or corn kernels along with the broth.
Leftovers keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Add a splash of broth when reheating to bring back the moisture.
To lighten it up, use 90% lean ground beef and you can skip draining the pan.
The queso layer is meant to be generous, so pile it on. A spoonful of sour cream also tastes great.
Serve with tortillas, tortilla chips, or even over a bed of shredded lettuce for a low-carb variation.

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