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An Easy Beef and Rice Skillet Dinner, cooked in a single pan.

Easy Beef and Rice Skillet Dinner with Flavor Hacks

This easy beef and rice skillet dinner is packed with flavor from Worcestershire sauce and smoked paprika, making it a satisfying meal your whole family will love. It's a quick and simple way to get a delicious dinner on the table with minimal cleanup.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 4 people
Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

  • Large, oven-safe skillet with lid

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • 1 lb Ground Beef 80/20 or 90/10 works well
  • 1 medium Onion chopped
  • 2-3 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1 cup Long-Grain White Rice uncooked (Rinse thoroughly for best results!)
  • 2 cups Beef Broth
  • 1 can Canned Diced Tomatoes (14.5 oz), undrained
  • 2 tablespoons Tomato Paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce (Flavor Hack #1: Deepens umami)
  • 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika (Flavor Hack #2: Adds warmth and smoky depth)
  • 0.5 teaspoon Dried Thyme
  • Salt and Black Pepper to taste
  • Fresh Parsley or Green Onions for garnish (Flavor Hack #3: Brightens and freshens)
  • 1 tablespoon Olive Oil

Instructions
 

Cooking Steps

  • Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet with a lid over medium-high heat.
  • Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up and cooking until thoroughly browned (5-7 minutes), then drain excess fat.
  • Add the chopped onion to the skillet, cook until softened (3-5 minutes), then stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  • Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, and dried thyme, cooking for 1-2 minutes to toast spices and deepen flavors.
  • Pour in rinsed rice, beef broth, and undrained diced tomatoes, stirring everything together well and scraping up browned bits.
  • Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer for 15-20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
  • Remove the skillet from heat and let it rest, still covered, for 5 minutes to allow the rice to steam and fluff.
  • Fluff the rice with a fork, season with salt and pepper, and garnish generously with fresh parsley or green onions before serving.

Notes

For extra depth of flavor, consider using fire-roasted diced tomatoes. You can also add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the spices for a subtle kick. Ensure your skillet has a tight-fitting lid for optimal rice cooking.