Pin this A hearty, budget-friendly one-pan meal featuring ground beef or turkey, colorful vegetables, and fluffy rice cooked together for easy cleanup and maximum flavor.
I first tried this recipe on a busy weeknight when I needed something filling that everyone would enjoy. The convenience of tossing everything into one skillet and letting it simmer made dinner stress-free and delicious.
Ingredients
- Ground beef or ground turkey: 1 lb (450 g), choose your preferred protein
- 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 garnish
- Shredded cheese: ½ cup (50 g), optional for serving
Instructions
- Brown the protein:
- 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.
- Add onion and bell pepper:
- Add diced onion and bell pepper. Sauté for 3 minutes until softened.
- Stir in garlic:
- Mix in the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add rice and veggies:
- Stir in the rinsed rice, frozen corn, and frozen peas. Combine well.
- Season:
- Sprinkle in salt, pepper, smoked paprika, oregano, and chili powder if using. Mix thoroughly.
- Add liquids:
- 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 parsley or cilantro and shredded cheese, if desired. Serve hot.
Pin this This skillet dinner is always a family favorite. Whenever we gather for a casual meal, everyone heads to the kitchen for a scoop and seconds are common!
Required Tools
Large deep skillet with lid, cutting board, chef's knife, wooden spoon or spatula, measuring cups and spoons.
Allergen Information
Contains none as written. If cheese is added, includes dairy. May contain gluten if using store-bought broth, so always check labels.
Nutritional Information
Each serving offers about 390 calories, 11 g fat, 46 g carbs, and 25 g protein (without cheese).
Pin this Try this comforting skillet meal for your next busy evening. It's guaranteed to please everyone at the table and makes cleanup a breeze!
Frequently Asked Recipe Questions
- → Can I substitute ground turkey for beef?
Yes, ground turkey works well and provides a leaner protein option with similar cooking times and flavor absorption.
- → What vegetables can I use instead of the listed ones?
Swap in zucchini, carrots, green beans, or other favorite vegetables to suit your taste and seasonal availability.
- → Is it possible to use brown rice in this dish?
Brown rice can be used, but remember to increase the cooking liquid and time as it requires more moisture and longer cooking.
- → How can I make this dish vegetarian?
Omit the meat and add extra beans, tofu, or other plant proteins for a vegetarian-friendly meal.
- → What adds flavor to the dish without overwhelming it?
Seasonings like smoked paprika, oregano, black pepper, and garlic enhance the flavors while keeping a balanced profile.