This hearty Italian Beef and Rice Skillet is made in less than 30 minutes and perfect for your busy weeknight!
My one pan Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet is where I got the inspiration for this recipe, I just switched up the flavor profiles for a more Italian twist.
Another quick and easy skillet dinner! A great way to use up your ground beef for a delicious meal.
Ground Beef and Rice Skillet
I wasn’t necessarily going for an “Italian” flavor profile when I set out to switch up this dish, but when I started playing around with different liquids and veggies to add, it all just fell into place.
Ingredients Needed
Here’s the basic list of ingredients you’ll need in order to whip up Italian Beef and Rice Skillet. As always, you can find the full list of ingredients located in the printable recipe card below.
- Ground Beef – you can swap with ground turkey if desired
- Onion – Diced
- Diced Tomatoes – no need to drain the liquid
- Mixed Veggies – Peas and Carrots (any variety of vegetable would work too)
- White Rice – You can switch the rice out with any small pasta for a pasta-based version of this recipe
- Beef Broth – low sodium
- Seasonings – Oregano, Garlic, Basil, salt and pepper
- Mozzarella Cheese – Shredded
How To Make Italian Beef Skillet
I love recipes like this because they come together so easy. There is little preparation and even less dishes
Cook the Ground Beef
In a heated skillet, brown the ground beef until there is no more pink. Drain the excess fat out of the pan.
Cook The Rice
Return the skillet to the stove and add in the rest of the ingredients except the mozzarella. Stir everything together. Bring the mixture to a light boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer.
Cover and let everything cook until the rice is nice and tender. This should take about 17 minutes.
Finishing Touches
Once everything is cooked, fluff up the rice with a fork and top off the skillet with the mozzarella cheese. For a melted effect, cover the pan for an extra 3 minutes. Top with chopped parsley if desired.
Tips and Variations
P
RICE or PASTA?
Feel free to swap out the rice for a smaller pasta – similar to this Italian Beef and Pasta. The cooking time may vary when using different kinds of pasta.
VEGGIES
If you don’t have frozen peas and carrots on hand, you can use your favorite type of veggies – green beans, chopped broccoli or zucchini would be nice!
EXTRA SAUCE
For a saucier dish, try adding in 1/2 cup tomato sauce after the rice has cooked. If you want a cheesier dish, add parmesan to the mozzarella.
FREEZER FRIENDLY
This one pan meal is great because it’s easy to prep ahead and freeze. Once it’s cooked I like to stash it in my Souper Cubes and freeze for a later date. It will last in the freezer for up to 3 months.
One of my favorite things about this dish is that I pretty much have all these ingredients on hand at any time.
Similar Recipes
If you love how simple this recipe is, and I bet you would love these ones too!
- French Onion Beef and Rice – A classic flavor turned into a tasty easy dinner
- Creamy Ground Beef Taco Pasta – Another use of ground beef mixed with pasta
- Ground Beef Stuffed Pepper Skillet – One skillet recipe for a simplified stuffed peppers recipe
- Chicken Fajita Rice Skillet – A quick Mexican skillet dinner using fresh ingredients
I know you’re going to love this quick and easy ground beef recipe too!
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Italian Beef and Rice Skillet
Ingredients
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 15 oz diced tomatoes, canned
- 1 1/2 cups mixed veggies, peas and carrots
- 3/4 cup white rice
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp garlic salt
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef and onion in a large skillet until no longer pink, drain any excess fat.
- Return skillet to stove top and add in the tomatoes, mixed veggies, rice, beef broth, oregano, garlic salt, basil and pepper. Stir until combined and bring to a light boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover and let cook until rice is tender (about 17 minutes).
- Fluff rice with fork and top with the mozzarella cheese. Cover with the lid for about 3 minutes to let cheese melt. Sprinkle with parsley if desired. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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I’m shocked at how good this is. The ingredients seem too simple to do much but wow! We will definitely make this again.
This is a really good recipe that I might end up adding into my weekly rotation as it does only take under 30 minutes to make. I did add minced garlic, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder, and 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes at the beginning of the recipe when you are cooking the onions and the meat together.
I added 1 tsp of worcestershire sauce when you add the liquids and rice into the pot.
This is super close to the taste of stuffed peppers so next time I might add bell peppers to the pot or stuff the mix into the peppers, put the cheese on top the peppers and bake them for a few. It’s super easy and really good.
I’m so glad to hear you’re enjoying the recipe Mere. Sounds like you would really enjoy my Ground Beef Stuffed Pepper Skillet too!
I can’t believe you call this enything close to Italian. The most bland dish I’ve ever made, I’m actually ashamed if myself. I could find better frozen food any time of the day. Sorry!
That’s such a c*nty reply. If you don’t like it, make your own cooking website or shut up
I’d be more ashamed of that dreadful grammar. Ew
SO good!!! I did add regular salt onion powder and garlic! My picky 2 yr old daughter absolutely loved it! I was blown away!!
So quick and easy, and was so yummy!! Even my picky 1 year old wanted more!!
Absolutely amazing dish! Loved by everyone in my family, definitely making this again ❤️
I’m so thrilled you enjoyed it! Thank you for your sweet comment!
So yummy and fairly easy!
this was soooo yummy i only had a wild rice blend so i used that instead and could of used for a little more rice but i think it was just due to the different rice type. definitely saving this one for on the regular.
One of my favorite one pot meals. Add a packaged salad mix and garlic bread for a complete meal! I make exactly as the recipe calls for.