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 made this skillet when I wanted a wholesome dinner without loads of dishes to wash afterward. It quickly became a go-to family meal for busy weeknights.
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 (optional): ½ tsp, for heat
- Chopped fresh parsley or cilantro: 2 tbsp, for garnish
- Shredded cheese (optional): ½ cup (50 g), for serving
Instructions
- Brown protein:
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef or turkey and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink, about 4–5 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Soften vegetables:
- Add the diced onion and bell pepper. Sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened.
- Add garlic:
- Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add grains and veggies:
- Add rinsed rice, corn, and peas. Stir to combine.
- Season:
- Sprinkle in salt, pepper, smoked paprika, oregano, and chili powder. Mix well.
- Add liquid:
- Pour in broth and bring to a gentle boil.
- Simmer:
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15–18 minutes 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.
Save This skillet is always a favorite at our table—even picky eaters love scooping their own portions and adding toppings. Sharing the meal together makes it even better.
Required Tools
Large deep skillet with lid, cutting board, chefs knife, wooden spoon or spatula, measuring cups and spoons
Allergen Information
Contains: None as written (dairy if cheese is used). May contain gluten if using store-bought broth check labels. Always check ingredient packaging for hidden allergens.
Nutritional Information
Per serving, without cheese: Calories 390, Total Fat 11 g, Carbohydrates 46 g, Protein 25 g
Save This easy skillet is wonderful for meal prep and leftovers. Enjoy the convenience and comfort any night of the week—it never disappoints.
Recipe Help
- → Can I substitute ground turkey for ground beef?
Yes, ground turkey works well and provides a leaner alternative without sacrificing flavor or texture.
- → What vegetables can I add or swap?
Feel free to include zucchini, carrots, green beans, or other favorites to customize the dish to your taste.
- → Is it possible to use brown rice in this dish?
Yes, but increase the cooking liquid and simmering time accordingly to ensure the rice becomes tender.
- → How can I make this meal dairy-free?
Simply omit the shredded cheese garnish to keep the dish free of dairy while maintaining great flavor.
- → What is the best cookware for preparing this dish?
A large deep skillet with a lid is ideal to brown the meat, sauté vegetables, and simmer the rice evenly.