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Cozy One-Pot Cheesy Beef and Rice Skillet Recipe with Hidden Veggies Made Easy

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A comforting and easy one-pot skillet meal combining ground beef, rice, cheese, and finely chopped hidden veggies for a family-friendly dinner ready in under 40 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 preferred)
  • 1 cup long grain white rice, rinsed
  • 2 ½ cups beef broth (low sodium preferred)
  • 1 medium carrot, finely diced or grated
  • 1 small zucchini, finely diced or grated
  • ½ medium onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (sharp or mild)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: fresh parsley or thyme for garnish

Instructions

  1. Finely dice or grate the carrot and zucchini, dice the onion, and mince the garlic. Set aside.
  2. Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add ground beef and cook 5–7 minutes until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain excess fat if needed, leaving some for flavor.
  3. Add diced onion, garlic, carrot, and zucchini to the beef. Stir and cook 4–5 minutes until veggies soften and onion is translucent.
  4. Add rinsed rice and stir to coat grains with beef and veggie mixture. Toast rice for 1–2 minutes.
  5. Pour in beef broth, season with salt and pepper, and stir gently. Bring to a boil.
  6. Reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer for 18–20 minutes without lifting the lid.
  7. Remove lid, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top, replace lid, and let sit off heat for 5 minutes to melt cheese.
  8. Fluff the cheesy beef and rice with a fork, garnish with fresh herbs if desired, and serve immediately.

Notes

If rice is not tender after 20 minutes, add a splash more broth or water, cover, and cook a few minutes longer. For a crispy bottom, cook uncovered on low for 2–3 minutes before adding cheese. Use finely chopped or grated veggies to hide them well. Avoid lifting the lid during simmer to ensure even cooking. Ground turkey or chicken can be used as a leaner protein alternative. Brown rice can be substituted but requires 15 minutes longer cooking and more broth. Dairy-free cheese or nutritional yeast can replace cheddar for dairy-free diets.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pot, cheesy beef skillet, hidden veggies, easy dinner, family-friendly, ground beef recipe, quick meal, comfort food

Find it online: https://cooksybite.com/cozy-one-pot-cheesy-beef-and-rice-skillet-recipe-with-hidden-veggies-made-easy/