Cheesy One Pot Ground Beef Skillet with Rice & Veggies

This one pot ground beef skillet is my “save dinner” recipe for those nights when everyone’s hungry right now and you don’t want a sink full of dishes. It’s cozy, flavorful, and super flexible use the veggies you’ve got, dial the spice up or down, and dinner still turns out delicious. I love how it all cooks in one pan: the beef gets nicely browned, the rice turns tender in a rich tomato-y broth, and everything finishes melty and satisfying.

Why You’ll Love this One Pot Ground Beef Skillet

This is the kind of meal that feels like comfort food but still fits into real-life schedules. You’ll love that it’s one pan, kid-friendly, and built for shortcuts (hello, frozen corn and pantry rice). It’s also a great “clean-out-the-fridge” dinner swap veggies, change the cheese, use different seasonings, and it still works.

Simple Ingredients

A quick peek at what makes this skillet so reliable just simple, everyday staples:

• Ground beef: The hearty base that browns fast and brings big flavor.
• Onion: Adds sweetness and depth once it softens in the pan.
• Garlic: Gives that cozy, savory backbone (don’t skip it if you can help it!).
• Bell pepper: Adds color and a mild sweetness kids usually like.
• Long-grain white rice: Cooks right in the skillet and soaks up all the flavor.
• Diced tomatoes: Creates that saucy, comforting tomato base.
• Beef broth: Helps the rice cook and keeps everything juicy.
• Tomato paste: Deepens the tomato flavor and makes it rich.
• Corn: A sweet pop that balances the savory beef perfectly.
• Paprika: Adds warmth without making it spicy.
• Italian seasoning: A quick way to layer in flavor fast.
• Salt & pepper: Essential for balancing the whole skillet.
• Cheddar cheese: Melts into the top and makes it extra craveable.
• Parsley (optional): Brightens everything at the end.

Servings and Time

• Servings: 6
• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Cook time: 25 minutes
• Total time: 35 minutes

Recommended Equipment

• Large deep skillet with lid (12-inch works great)
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Cutting board
• Chef’s knife
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Can opener
• Box grater (if shredding cheese fresh)

What is Needed

Ingredients (with measurements):

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1 cup long-grain white rice (uncooked)
• 1 can (14.5 oz / 411 g) diced tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 cup corn (frozen or canned, drained)
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 tbsp chopped parsley (optional)

How To Make One Pot Ground Beef Skillet

1. Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as you go.
2. Stir in onion and bell pepper. Cook 3–4 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
3. Sprinkle in paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir well so the beef is coated.
4. Add the uncooked rice and stir for 1 minute so it’s lightly coated in the beef mixture.
5. Stir in tomato paste, then add diced tomatoes and beef broth. Mix until combined.
6. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover with a lid and cook 18–20 minutes, until the rice is tender.
7. Stir in the corn and cook 2 minutes to warm through.
8. Sprinkle cheddar over the top, cover again for 2–3 minutes until melted.
9. Top with parsley if you like, then scoop and serve warm.

What To Serve With This Recipe

• Simple green salad with a quick vinaigrette
• Garlic bread or soft dinner rolls
• Steamed green beans or broccoli
• Cucumber slices and ranch (kid favorite!)
• Roasted zucchini or carrots

Top Tips

• Drain if needed: If your beef is extra fatty, drain off some grease before adding rice so the skillet doesn’t feel heavy.
• Keep the lid on: Rice cooks best when the steam stays trapped peek as little as possible.
• Shred your own cheese: It melts smoother than pre-shredded (but use what you have on busy nights!).
• Make-ahead win: Chop onion and pepper earlier in the day and store in the fridge to make dinner fly.
• Kid-friendly move: Serve with extra cheese on the side and keep spice mild everyone can customize.

Recipe Variations

• Taco-style: Swap Italian seasoning for taco seasoning and top with crushed tortilla chips.
• Veggie-boost: Stir in baby spinach at the end until wilted.
• Creamy version: Add 2–3 tbsp sour cream after cooking (off heat).
• Different grains: Try jasmine rice for extra aroma (same cook time usually).
• Cheese swap: Use mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend.

How to Store and Reheat

• Store: Cool completely, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Freeze: Freeze in portions up to 2 months for easy lunches.
• Reheat: Warm in a skillet or microwave with a splash of broth or water to loosen it up and keep the rice tender.

If you like ground beef recipes check out this list of my favorite ground beef recipes!

One Pot Ground Beef Skillet

Michelle

A cozy, cheesy one pot ground beef skillet with tomato rice and veggies quick to make, easy to customize, and perfect for busy weeknights.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Main Dishes

Servings 6

Equipment

• Large deep skillet with lid (12-inch works great)
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Cutting board
• Chef’s knife
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Can opener
• Box grater (if shredding cheese fresh)

Ingredients

  

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb 450 g ground beef
• 1 small onion diced
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 bell pepper diced
• 1 cup long-grain white rice uncooked
• 1 can 14.5 oz / 411 g diced tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 cup corn frozen or canned, drained
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp salt or to taste
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 tbsp chopped parsley optional

Instructions

 

• Brown the beef: Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as you go.
• Add aromatics: Stir in onion and bell pepper. Cook 3–4 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
• Season it up: Sprinkle in paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir well so the beef is coated.
• Toast the rice: Add the uncooked rice and stir for 1 minute so it’s lightly coated in the beef mixture.
• Build the sauce: Stir in tomato paste, then add diced tomatoes and beef broth. Mix until combined.
• Simmer: Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover with a lid and cook 18–20 minutes, until the rice is tender.
• Add corn: Stir in the corn and cook 2 minutes to warm through.
• Make it cheesy: Sprinkle cheddar over the top, cover again for 2–3 minutes until melted.
• Finish: Top with parsley if you like, then scoop and serve warm.

Notes

• Rice cook time can vary by brand add a splash more broth if needed and cook a few extra minutes.
• For extra flavor, use sharp cheddar and finish with fresh parsley.
• Want heat? Add a pinch of chili flakes or a diced jalapeño with the onion.

Keyword One Pot Ground Beef Skillet