AmericanMedium · Hot
One-Pan Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Skillet
A cozy one-pan meal where savory ground beef and rice cook together in tomato sauce, finished with melted cheddar cheese. Deconstructed so everyone at the table can customize their portion.
Prep
10 min
Cook
30 min
Total
40 min
Method
1
Dice the yellow onion finely. Mince the garlic cloves. Peel and finely dice the carrot into small pieces so they blend into the dish for the picky eater who might otherwise pick them out.
2
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until fully browned and no pink remains, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed. Stir in the garlic and diced carrot, cooking for another 2 minutes until fragrant.
3
Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover tightly with a lid and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed the sauce.
4
Cover again and let sit for 3 minutes, or until the cheese has melted into a gooey, irresistible layer.
C
Nutri-Score
Fair balance
A–E · lower is better · score 3
Calories
1110
per serving
High in protein · 61gLow sugar · 11g
Protein
61g
Carbs
90g
Fat
55g
Sat. fat
25g
Fiber
6g
Sugar
11g
Sodium
1720mg
Gluten FreeHigh ProteinBalanced Meal
Nutri-Score is a general nutritional-balance guide, not medical or dietary advice.
E
Environmental impact
Very high impact
A–E · lower is better · includes estimates
kg CO2e
13
per serving
ECarbonBEU all-round· carbon sets the grade
Water
1.9m³
Land
293Pt
Runoff
0.3g P
Ground Beef drives 88% of this recipe’s estimated footprint.
Carbon from Poore & Nemecek 2018; water, land & runoff from Agribalyse — modelled averages for comparing recipes, not a measurement of your groceries.
Flavor Profile
7
Umami
4
Sweet
5
Salty
2
Sour
1
Bitter
3
Spicy
Textures
TenderGooeyHeartySaucy
Aromas
SavoryUmami RichGarlickyCheesyHerbal
Kitchen Equipment
Safety & Storage
Cooking Temperature
Ground beef must reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) to ensure harmful bacteria are destroyed before adding other ingredients.
Cross Contamination
Use separate cutting boards for raw ground beef and vegetables. Wash all utensils, surfaces, and hands thoroughly after handling raw meat.
Storage
Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of cooking. Store in airtight containers and consume within 3-4 days.
Handling
Allow dish to cool slightly before covering with lid for cheese melt step to prevent steam burns. Use oven mitts when handling the hot skillet.
High Risk Population
Ensure young children are seated while eating to prevent choking hazards from the hot dish and small carrot pieces.
Carrot Size
Dice carrots to approximately 1/4 inch (6mm) pieces for children under 3 years to reduce choking risk. Avoid mincing to shred consistency for any child under 5.
Pro Tips
Technique
Dice the carrots really small — almost to a shred — so they blend into the dish. My seven-year-old won't touch a visible carrot, but she never notices when they're finely minced and melty.
Substitution
Swap the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken if your family prefers lighter meat. The dish still comes out rich and satisfying with the cheese on top.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The rice absorbs more sauce overnight, so add a splash of water when reheating to loosen it back up.
From the chef
Some nights, getting everyone to the table feels like a small victory. This skillet has become my secret weapon — the rice cooks right in the tomato sauce so the kids don't even realize they're eating vegetables hidden in every bite. My oldest loads up with extra cheese while my youngest picks around the carrots, and somehow we all end up satisfied without me cooking three different dinners.
TagsWeeknight DinnerFamily FriendlyCheeseComfort FoodGround BeefHidden VeggiesKid FriendlyOne PotCheddar
AllergensMilk
Source: generated · June 10, 2026