Rice with Ground Beef

This Rice with Ground Beef is an easy one-pan dinner with savory beef, fluffy rice, and tender vegetables. It’s hearty, comforting, and perfect for busy weeknights.

Looking for more simple meals made with rice? Browse my Rice Recipes for more easy, comforting recipes to make at home.

I often make this when I need a filling dinner without much cleanup. The rice cooks right in the skillet with the browned beef and vegetables, soaking up the savory cooking liquid, herbs, and bay leaves as it becomes tender and fluffy.

If comforting ground beef dinners are your thing, be sure to try my Creamy Tomato Ground Beef and Rice Skillet and this cozy Creamy Ground Beef and Rice Skillet too.

Why This Recipe Works

The onion and carrot cook in olive oil and butter, creating a flavorful base before the ground beef is added. Briefly toasting the rinsed rice coats the grains with those savory flavors and helps them stay fluffy as they cook.

Everything then simmers together in one pan, allowing the rice to absorb the beef juices, herbs, and broth. The result is a hearty ground beef and rice dinner with simple ingredients and very little cleanup.

Ingredients for Rice with Ground Beef

This easy ground beef and rice recipe uses simple, everyday ingredients. The exact amounts are included in the recipe card below.

• Olive oil and butter. Three tablespoons of olive oil and one tablespoon of butter create a flavorful base for cooking the vegetables.
• Ground beef. Beef with about 15 to 20 percent fat gives the dish the best savory flavor, although lean ground beef also works.
• Long-grain white rice. It cooks up fluffy and absorbs the seasoned cooking liquid without becoming too soft.
• Onion and carrot. These vegetables add natural sweetness, color, and extra flavor to the rice.
• Garlic. Fresh chopped garlic gives the beef mixture a warm, savory flavor.
• Water or broth. Use hot water or broth so the rice begins cooking evenly.
• Bay leaves. They add subtle depth while the rice simmers.
• Seasonings. Salt, black pepper, dried basil, and oregano keep the flavor simple and balanced.

For more simple, cozy meals like this, browse my Ground Beef Recipes.

How to Make Rice with Ground Beef

This one-pan ground beef and rice comes together in a few simple stages: soften the vegetables, brown the beef, add the rice, then let everything simmer until the grains are tender and fluffy.

Sauté the onion. Heat the olive oil and butter in a large, deep skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for about 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly golden.

Add the carrot. Stir in the grated carrot and cook for about 6 minutes, until the vegetables are tender and fragrant.

Brown the ground beef. Add the ground beef and break it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook for about 12 minutes, until browned and most of the excess moisture has evaporated.

Add the seasonings and garlic. Season with salt, black pepper, dried basil, and oregano. Stir in the chopped garlic and cook for another 4 minutes, stirring often so the garlic does not burn.

Add the rice. Stir in the rinsed and well-drained rice. Cook for about 4 minutes, stirring gently, so the grains become coated in the savory beef mixture.

Pour in the liquid. Add the hot water or broth and bay leaves, then stir gently to distribute the rice evenly across the skillet.

Cover and simmer. Bring the liquid to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low and cover the skillet. Cook without lifting the lid for about 25 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed.

Rest and serve. Remove the skillet from the heat and let it rest, covered, for 5 minutes. Remove the bay leaves, gently fluff the rice with a fork, and serve warm.

If you’re cooking with rice often, you might also enjoy browsing my rice recipes for more simple, comforting meals.

Tips for Perfect Rice with Ground Beef

• Rinse and drain the rice well. Removing excess starch helps the grains cook up fluffy instead of sticky.
• Cook off the excess moisture from the beef. Let most of the liquid evaporate before adding the rice so the finished dish does not become watery.
• Toast the rice briefly. Stirring it into the beef mixture for a few minutes coats the grains with flavor and helps them hold their shape.
• Use hot water or broth. Hot liquid brings the skillet back to a gentle simmer quickly and helps the rice cook evenly.
• Keep the lid closed. The trapped steam cooks the rice, so avoid lifting the lid while it simmers.
• Let the rice rest before fluffing. Five minutes off the heat allows the remaining moisture to settle and improves the final texture.

Variations and Substitutions

• Use ground turkey or chicken. Either can replace the ground beef for a lighter version. Cook the meat completely before adding the rice.
• Use beef broth. Replace the water with low-sodium beef broth for a deeper, more savory flavor.
• Add frozen peas. Stir them in during the final 5 minutes of cooking so they stay bright and tender.
• Add a little heat. A pinch of red pepper flakes can be added with the dried herbs for a gentle kick.

What to Serve with Rice and Ground Beef

This one-pan meal is filling enough to serve on its own, but a fresh side adds a nice contrast. Pair it with my Creamy Cucumber Salad, simple pickles, roasted vegetables, or a crisp green salad. You can also browse my Easy Side Dish Recipes for more serving ideas.

Storage and Reheating

Transfer leftover rice with ground beef to an airtight container and refrigerate it within 2 hours of cooking. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm them gently in a covered skillet. Add a small splash of water or broth to restore moisture, then heat until the rice and beef are steaming hot.

To freeze, divide the cooled rice into freezer-safe containers and store it for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of rice works best?

Long-grain white rice works best because it becomes tender while the grains remain separate and fluffy. Avoid quick-cooking or instant rice, since it requires a different amount of liquid and cooking time.

Do I need to cook the rice separately?

No. The uncooked rice simmers directly in the skillet with the ground beef, vegetables, and broth, allowing it to absorb all the savory flavor.

Can I use ground turkey or chicken?

Yes. Either one can replace the ground beef, although the finished dish will have a lighter flavor. Cook the meat completely before adding the rice and liquid.

Why did my rice turn mushy?

Mushy rice is usually caused by too much liquid, excess starch, or cooking it for too long. Rinse and drain the rice well, measure the liquid carefully, and remove the skillet from the heat as soon as the rice is tender.

Can I use brown rice?

This recipe is tested with long-grain white rice. Brown rice needs more liquid and a longer cooking time, so it should not be substituted using the same measurements and method.

This Rice with Ground Beef is simple enough for a busy evening but still feels like a complete homemade dinner. The fluffy rice, savory beef, and tender vegetables make every bite hearty and comforting, with only one skillet to clean.