Save A hearty, budget-friendly one-pan meal featuring ground beef or turkey, colorful vegetables, and fluffy rice—all cooked together for easy cleanup and maximum flavor.
I first tried this skillet dish when my kids needed a fast and filling dinner after soccer practice. They love how all the ingredients blend and I love not having extra pans to wash at the end of the night.
Ingredients
- Ground beef or turkey: 1 lb (450 g)
- Onion: 1 medium, diced
- Red bell pepper: 1, diced
- Frozen corn: 1 cup (150 g)
- Frozen peas: 1 cup (150 g)
- Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
- Long-grain white rice: 1 cup (200 g), rinsed
- Chicken or vegetable broth: 2¼ cups (540 ml)
- Kosher salt: 1½ tsp
- Black pepper: ½ tsp
- Smoked paprika: 1 tsp
- Dried oregano: ½ tsp
- Chili powder: ½ tsp (optional, for heat)
- Chopped fresh parsley or cilantro: 2 tbsp (optional)
- Shredded cheese: ½ cup (50 g) (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Brown the meat:
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef or turkey and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink, about 4 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Sauté vegetables:
- Add diced onion and bell pepper. Sauté for 3 minutes until softened.
- Add garlic:
- Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Mix in rice and frozen vegetables:
- Add rinsed rice, corn, and peas. Stir to combine.
- Season:
- Sprinkle in salt, pepper, paprika, oregano, and chili powder (if using). Mix well.
- Add broth and cook:
- Pour in broth and bring to a gentle boil.
- Simmer:
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- Rest:
- Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes.
- Finish and serve:
- Fluff with a fork. Top with chopped parsley or cilantro and shredded cheese if desired. Serve hot.
Save Whenever I make this, the whole table smiles—the kids pile on extra cheese while we grown-ups reach for fresh cilantro.
Required Tools
Large deep skillet with lid and a sturdy wooden spoon make prepping the dish seamless. Having a sharp chefs knife and cutting board speeds up chopping time for veggies.
Allergen Information
This recipe contains no major allergens as written (dairy only if cheese is used). Always verify store-bought broth labels to ensure they are gluten-free.
Nutritional Information
Each serving (without cheese) provides about 390 calories, 11 g fat, 46 g carbohydrates, and 25 g protein, making it a balanced main dish for family dinners.
Save This ground beef skillet is a true family favorite and reheats beautifully for lunch the next day. Enjoy every bite knowing you saved time and effort.
Recipe Help & Answers
- → Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
Yes, ground turkey works well and can be substituted equally for a leaner option.
- → What vegetables can I add or substitute?
Zucchini, carrots, or green beans can be added or swapped to customize the dish to your taste.
- → Is it possible to make this dish vegetarian?
Omit the meat and increase beans or tofu to maintain the protein content.
- → How do I know when the rice is fully cooked?
The rice should be tender and all the broth absorbed, usually after 15–18 minutes simmering covered.
- → Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
Yes, but increase the broth and cooking time to ensure the rice softens properly.
- → What optional garnishes complement this dish?
Fresh chopped parsley or cilantro adds brightness, and shredded cheese offers extra creaminess.