One-Pan Ground Beef & Veggie Rice Skillet
This easy and hearty one-pan ground beef and veggie rice skillet is a perfect weeknight dinner that’s packed with savory flavors, tender vegetables, and fluffy rice all cooked together in one skillet. Infused with aromatic garlic, Italian herbs, and melted Parmesan cheese, this gluten-free and family-friendly meal is both comforting and quick to prepare. Minimal cleanup and maximum taste make it an ideal recipe for busy nights.
Ingredients
Rice
- 2 cups white or brown rice cooked according to package instructions
Protein
- 1 lb ground beef lean or preferred type
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1.5 cups sliced mushrooms cremini or button mushrooms
- 1 sweet yellow onion chopped
- 1 red bell pepper chopped
- 1 yellow bell pepper chopped
- 1 tomato chopped
- 2 tbsp minced garlic
Liquids & Fats
- 1.5 cups chicken broth low sodium preferred
- 0.5 cups Parmesan cheese grated
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil for sautéing
Spices & Seasonings
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 2 tsp oregano dried
- 2 tsp basil dried
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp garlic salt to taste
- to taste salt and pepper
Instructions
Prepare Rice
- Cook rice according to package instructions and set aside.
Cook Vegetables
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic, chopped onion, red and yellow bell peppers, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Sauté for 4–5 minutes until vegetables soften.
- Add chopped tomato, sliced mushrooms, oregano, basil, garlic powder, and butter. Cook for another 4–5 minutes until mushrooms are tender and the mixture is fragrant. Remove from skillet and set aside.
Cook Beef and Make Sauce
- In the same skillet, add ground beef and season with garlic salt. Cook until browned and fully cooked through, breaking it apart as it cooks.
- Pour in chicken broth and stir in half of the grated Parmesan cheese. Let simmer for 2–3 minutes to blend flavors.
Combine and Finish
- Return the sautéed vegetable mixture to the skillet and stir to combine with the beef and broth.
- Add the cooked rice to the skillet and mix thoroughly until evenly combined and heated through.
- Adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or garlic salt as desired.
- Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese on top before serving.
Notes
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to control salt content.
- For a dairy-free version, omit Parmesan and butter or substitute with nutritional yeast and olive oil.
- Brown the beef well to develop deep flavor.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 4 days and reheat with a splash of broth for moisture.