Some nights, you walk in the door and the clock’s already mocking you—dinner feels like a mountain you don’t want to climb. This Simple Ground Beef Dinner is what I reach for when the day’s been long and my brain just can’t handle a complicated recipe. The smell of onions and garlic sizzling in the pan fills the kitchen with a cozy kind of comfort, and that’s when I breathe a little easier. I usually let the beef brown while I catch up on whatever show is playing in the background, though sometimes I get distracted and almost forget to stir the rice in right on time. It’s forgiving like that.
Once the broth is simmering and the vegetables join the party, the kitchen feels alive—the kind of alive that makes you pause and just be in the moment, even if only for a minute. It’s not fancy, but it hits the spot perfectly.
- Hearty and budget-friendly without feeling like a compromise.
- Only one pan is needed, so cleanup is minimal — though that means you have to keep an eye on it.
- The timing is flexible; you can sneak in a quick break while it simmers.
- It’s simple — and that’s kind of the point.
If you’re worried about the vegetables, frozen mixed ones work just fine here, and the rice cooks right in with the beef, soaking up all those savory flavors. Leftovers reheat well, making this an easy repeat for busy nights.
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Simple Ground Beef Dinner
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
A budget-friendly, hearty ground beef dinner featuring seasoned beef, vegetables, and rice, perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup long grain white rice
2 cups beef broth
1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, corn)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Instructions
Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 3-4 minutes until the onion is translucent.
Add ground beef to the skillet and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.
Drain excess fat from the skillet if necessary.
Stir in salt, black pepper, and paprika, mixing well to evenly season the beef.
Add the rice to the skillet and stir to combine with the beef and onions.
Pour in the beef broth and bring the mixture to a boil.
Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover the skillet, and simmer for 15 minutes.
After 15 minutes, add the frozen mixed vegetables to the skillet, stir gently, cover again, and cook for an additional 5 minutes until the rice is tender and vegetables are heated through.
Remove from heat and let the dish sit covered for 5 minutes before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
Don’t worry about fancy equipment for this one—just a reliable skillet will do. When serving, I love scooping it into bowls with a little extra cracked pepper on top or alongside a crisp salad to brighten things up. Sometimes, I swap in whatever veggies I have around, like bell peppers or zucchini, and it still turns out pretty great. I haven’t tested every variation, but adding a pinch of chili flakes or a splash of soy sauce seems to give it a nice twist if you’re feeling adventurous.
FAQ
Can I use brown rice instead of white? You can, but it’ll take longer to cook and might need more liquid. I usually stick with white rice for speed.
Is it possible to make this gluten-free? Yes, just be sure your beef broth doesn’t contain gluten.
Can I prepare this ahead of time? You can cook it fully and reheat; just add a splash of broth or water when warming so it doesn’t dry out.
Ready to make dinner a little easier? Give this Simple Ground Beef Dinner a try tonight and see how fast comfort can come together.