Easy Ground Beef Rice Skillet (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Base Ingredients

01 - 1 pound lean ground beef
02 - 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
03 - 1 medium onion, diced
04 - 1 bell pepper, diced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Liquids and Seasonings

06 - 2 cups beef broth
07 - 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
08 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
09 - 1 teaspoon paprika
10 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Optional Topping

12 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

# Instructions:

01 - Heat your skillet over medium-high heat, add the olive oil, then brown the ground beef. Break it into small pieces as it cooks and season generously with salt and pepper.
02 - Once the beef is nicely browned, add your diced onions, bell peppers, and minced garlic to the skillet. Let them cook until softened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
03 - Sprinkle in the paprika and oregano, giving everything a good stir to coat the meat and vegetables with the spices.
04 - Add the uncooked rice to the skillet, stirring it around to coat with all the flavors from the meat and vegetables.
05 - Pour in your beef broth and diced tomatoes. Bring the mixture to a nice bubble, then lower the heat to a gentle simmer.
06 - Cover the skillet and let everything simmer together for 18-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has soaked up most of the flavorful liquid.
07 - Fluff the rice with a fork and taste to check if it needs more seasoning. If you're using cheese, sprinkle it over the top and let it melt before serving.

# Notes:

01 - This one-pan meal is perfect for busy weeknights
02 - Leftovers reheat beautifully for lunch the next day
03 - Feel free to swap in different colored bell peppers for variety