Description
A budget-friendly, one-pot weeknight dinner featuring ground beef, white rice, and bell peppers. This simple, kid-approved meal is ready in under 30 minutes and requires minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20 lean recommended)
- 1.5 cups long-grain white rice
- 2 medium bell peppers, diced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2.5 cups beef broth (low-sodium)
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon dried oregano
- Optional: 1 cup frozen peas or corn
- Optional: Hot sauce for spice
Instructions
- Dice the onion and bell peppers, and mince the garlic. Have all ingredients measured and ready.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it into small crumbles with a wooden spoon. Cook for 8-10 minutes until no longer pink. Drain excess grease, leaving about 1 tablespoon.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add the diced onion and bell peppers to the beef. Stir and cook for 2-3 minutes until onions soften. Add garlic and spices (salt, pepper, paprika, oregano). Stir constantly for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add the uncooked rice to the skillet and stir for 1 minute to toast slightly. Pour in the beef broth and tomato sauce. Stir to combine and scrape up browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then immediately reduce heat to low. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and simmer for 18-20 minutes without lifting the lid.
- Check if rice is tender and liquid is absorbed. If rice is still hard, add 2 tablespoons of water and cook for 2 more minutes.
- Remove from heat and let rest, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork, adjust salt if needed, and serve.
Notes
Do not skip the resting time; it allows the rice to fluff up and absorb remaining moisture. Toasting the rice before adding liquid helps prevent clumping. Keep heat on low during simmering to prevent burning. If using brown rice, increase cooking time to 40-45 minutes and add more liquid. This recipe doubles easily for meal prep.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 22
Keywords: one-pot meal, ground beef, rice skillet, family dinner, budget-friendly, weeknight dinner, easy recipe, kid-approved