Easy Homemade Ground Beef and Rice

Looking for a delicious, quick, and satisfying meal that will please the whole family? This ground beef and rice recipe is perfect! Whether you are looking for a comforting weeknight dinner or a hearty lunch, this meal is perfect.  And it is made in one pan for an easy cleanup!

It combines the flavors of ground beef with fluffy rice, pasta and a simple selection of spices.  Easy to make and delicious, this ground beef and rice dish will be a go to on a busy day!

Beef rice in a large frying pan being scooped out by a serving spoon.

This homemade ground beef and rice dish is a flavourful alternative to Rice a Roni's beef rice, that we also savour from time to time. One key advantage of this version is that there's no need to sauté the rice first. This simplicity contributes to the overall convenience of the recipe, creating a quick, one-pan dish that's ideal for the hustle and bustle of everyday life. We've crafted this recipe to be simple to prepare, just place everything in one pan and let it cook to perfection. A unique aspect of this homemade rendition is the ability to play around with the spices or ingredients according to your own tastes.

This section explores the versatility of various vegetables in the ground beef and rice dish. Traditionally, carrots and mushrooms are incorporated, but the choice of vegetables is really down to personal preference. You might fancy trying broccoli, peas, or perhaps even peppers. These can be introduced during the initial cooking phase or later if a crunchier texture is preferred. Experimentation with assorted vegetables not only changes the flavour profile but also amplifies the nutritional quota of the meal. Remember, it's recommended to focus on the varieties of vegetables rather than the method of addition to avoid overlap with "Veggie Variations" in the page structure.

Experience the ultimate weeknight meal that ticks all the boxes - flavour, simplicity, and satisfaction! Savour the delectable blend of seasoned ground beef, aromatic rice, and crunchy vegetables. It's not only a feast for your taste buds but it's also remarkably simple to prepare, even on a hectic day. Cleanup is a breeze thanks to it being a one-pan meal whilst saving your time.

Even with just a few staple ingredients, you can whip up this fuss-free dish. This satisfying, hearty meal will have the whole family coming back for seconds. Get ready to relish this flavourful and filling dish which is sure to become a household favourite.

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Ingredients

Ingredients prepped in prep bowls for making the beef rice.

We keep the ingredients simple here for this ground beef and rice recipe.

Ground beef – It is best to use a leaner ground beef here as you are cooking it all in one pot. If you use 85% or lower, you will likely need to drain the excess fat before adding the rest of the ingredients.

Rice – I prefer either Jasmine for this recipe, but you can use plain white rice or basmati if you prefer.

Pasta – Vermicelli or thin pasta is best.

Broth – You can use store bought or homemade here. You may need to adjust the amount of salt depending on the broth you use. I also like to make this after making our slow cooker cheesesteaks or even after a pot roast. There is always left over juice from them to use and this is perfect for it!

Soy sauce – I prefer liquid aminos over soy sauce in this ground beef and rice recipe, but there isn’t much of a difference in taste so you can use the one you like best.

Mushrooms – optional, but recommended. You can mix up the veggies and take the mushrooms out if you don’t like them.

Carrot – I do recommend you keep the carrot in the rice, even if you mix up the vegetables.

Minced onion – Dried minced onion is best here.

Garlic powder

Salt – Adjust to taste. The amount of salt you use will vary depending on the broth you use and the amount of salt in the broth.

Pepper

Making Ground Beef and Rice

Ground beef, rice, pasta, beef broth, carrot, mushrooms and spices in a large frying pan ready to be stirred and cooked.

This recipe for ground beef and rice is super simple to make. We do not sauté the rice and pasta first like you do when making Rice A Roni, but you can. This is a dish that we keep as simple as possible for those busy weeknights when you don’t have a lot of time.

You want to use a large frying pan with a lid. It will fit in a 3 quart, but I prefer to use my 5 quart for extra stirring room. I can be messy haha! Not even kidding there.

This is made in a couple simple steps:

Prep

  • Wash and cut the mushrooms. Wash, peel and grate the carrot. Set aside until ready for them.
  • Measure the spices out into a small prep bowl so they are ready when you need them.
  • Rinse the rice for a minute or two in a small strainer (optional but recommended) and allow to drain for a couple minutes while the beef is cooking. DO NOT rinse the rice too early, I do it right before starting the ground beef.
  • Break up the pasta into small pieces and set aside.

Cooking

  • Start by cooking the ground beef until it is mostly browned, it can be slightly pink still. It will be cooking in with the rice as well.
  • Drain excess grease if your ground beef had a higher fat content.
  • Add in the broth, veggies, rice, pasta and spices. Mix together well.
  • Bring to a slight boil and reduce heat to medium low/low and cover. You want it to be at a low simmer with the lid on, stoves vary so adjust the burner as needed.
  • Cook for about 15-20 minutes, until rice is fully cooked.
  • Remove from heat, stir and serve!

You can experiment with different veggies in this ground beef and rice recipe. We keep it simple with carrots and mushrooms, but have fun and add your favorites. By adding the veggies in the dish, you make this a complete one dish meal that is super simple for a busy weeknight.

Most vegetables (raw or frozen) you would add in with the rice and cook them all together. If the vegetables are already cooked, add them in at the end of the cook time.

beef rice in a large frying pan ready to be served.

Can I make this gluten free?

Yes this recipe for ground beef and rice can be made gluten free! Either omit the pasta and add a quarter cup more rice in place or use a gluten free pasta. We also keep the spices simple here so there shouldn’t be a need to adjust to them.

Liquid aminos are preferred here over soy sauce and this is written using them, but you will need to be sure to use them instead of soy sauce. Soy sauce is not gluten free, but the liquid aminos are (double check before using.)

Beef rice in a large frying pan being scooped out by a serving spoon.

Easy Homemade Ground Beef and Rice

Dawn
This homemade ground beef and rice recipe is a super simple one dish meal that you can have ready in about 30 minutes. It is delicious and perfect for busy nights when you don't have a lot of time to cook!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 345 kcal

Equipment

  • 5 quart pan

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 2 Tablespoons liquid aminos or soy sauce, see notes
  • 2-3 mushrooms white button or baby bella
  • 1 carrot
  • cup Jasmine or white rice see notes
  • 1 ounce thin spaghetti noodles
  • 1 Tablespoon dried minced onion
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt adjust to taste, see notes
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Chop the mushrooms and grate the carrot.
    Break the spaghetti noodles into pieces around 1 inch long.
    Rinse the rice in a small strainer and drain (optional but recommended.)
    2-3 mushrooms, 1 carrot, 1 ounce thin spaghetti noodles, 1¾ cup Jasmine or white rice
  • In the skillet, cook the ground beef while breaking it up for about 5 minutes and carefully remove the fat. It may still be pink which is ok.
    1 pound lean ground beef
  • Add in the broth, aminos (or soy sauce), rinsed rice, cut up pasta, chopped mushrooms, grated carrot, garlic powder, dried onion, salt and pepper. Stir well.
    4 cups beef broth, 1 Tablespoon dried minced onion, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, 2 Tablespoons liquid aminos
  • Bring the ingredients to a rapid simmer (almost boiling) stirring occasionally. Cover and reduce heat to low/medium low – adjust temperature so it is a low simmer.
    Allow to simmer for 15-20 minutes covered or until rice is tender.
  • Allow the ground beef and rice to sit for about 5 minutes before serving, enjoy!

Notes

Nutritional values are estimated and so are serving sizes.
Liquid aminos are our preferred alternative to soy sauce, but soy sauce will work too.  Liquid aminos are gluten free if you are on a gluten free diet.
You can either omit the pasta and add 1 quarter cup more rice or use a gluten free pasta in place of the regular pasta.
I prefer Jasmine rice, but you can use white rice or basmati rice.  I don’t recommend using brown rice due to the long cook times – the pasta will be beyond overcooked.
For the salt – this will depend on taste and also depend on the broth you use.  If you are using regular broth (full sodium), you may want to use less salt.

Nutrition

Calories: 345kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 24gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 47mgSodium: 771mgPotassium: 741mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 1698IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 29mgIron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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