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A close-up shot of a savory bowl of ground beef and rice, garnished with chopped green onions, peas, and diced red peppers.

Hearty Mediterranean Ground Beef & Rice Skillet

A flavorful and satisfying one-pan meal featuring seasoned ground beef, tender rice, diced tomatoes, and aromatic herbs, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 5 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Mediterranean
Calories: 480
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Skillet
  • 1.5 lbs ground beef 80/20 lean recommended
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 can diced tomatoes 14.5 oz, undrained
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 cups beef broth low sodium
  • 1.5 cups long-grain white rice uncooked, rinsed
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 0.5 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp salt or to taste
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper freshly ground, or to taste
For Garnish (Optional)
  • 0.25 cup fresh parsley chopped
  • 0.25 cup feta cheese crumbled

Equipment

  • Large Skillet (with lid)
  • Cutting board
  • Chef's knife
  • Wooden Spoon

Method
 

Prepare Ingredients
  1. Chop the onion and mince the garlic. Rinse the uncooked rice under cold water until the water runs clear; drain well.
Cook Beef and Aromatics
  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet (at least 10-12 inches) over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and no pink remains, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
  2. Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the beef and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and tomato paste, cooking for another 1 minute until fragrant.
Combine and Simmer
  1. Stir in the undrained diced tomatoes, beef broth, dried oregano, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
  2. Add the rinsed rice to the skillet, stirring gently to combine. Ensure the rice is mostly submerged in the liquid.
  3. Reduce heat to low, cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid, and simmer for 18-20 minutes, or until the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is tender. Avoid lifting the lid during this time.
Finish and Serve
  1. Remove the skillet from the heat and let it rest, still covered, for 5 minutes. This allows the rice to steam and become perfectly fluffy.
  2. Uncover the skillet, fluff the ground beef and rice mixture with a fork. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.
  3. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and crumbled feta cheese, if desired, and serve warm.

Notes

This one-pan ground beef and rice dish is excellent for meal prepping. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For added vegetables, consider stirring in a cup of fresh spinach or diced bell peppers along with the diced tomatoes.