One-Pot Ground Beef and Rice

Ground beef and rice is a practical dinner for evenings when you want a complete meal without several pans on the stove. Tomato, paprika, and cumin give the rice a savory base, while peppers and peas add color.

Use ordinary long-grain white rice for this recipe. Brown rice and quick-cooking rice need different liquid amounts and cooking times.

Recipe overview

• Servings: 4
• Estimated preparation: 10 minutes
• Estimated cooking and resting: 35 minutes
• Estimated total: 45 minutes
• Equipment: Wide heavy-based pot with a tight-fitting lid

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 500 g ground beef
• 1 onion, finely diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• 200 g long-grain white rice, rinsed and drained
• 400 g canned chopped tomatoes, including juices
• 400 ml hot low-sodium beef stock, plus extra if needed
• 100 g frozen peas
• ½ teaspoon fine salt, plus more to taste
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• Chopped parsley, to serve

Instructions

1. Heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the beef and cook for 6–8 minutes, breaking it into small pieces. Drain excess fat if necessary.
2. Verify that the ground beef reaches 71°C/160°F.
3. Add the onion and pepper and cook for 4–5 minutes until beginning to soften.
4. Stir in the garlic, tomato paste, paprika, and cumin. Cook for 1 minute.
5. Add the rice, tomatoes, stock, salt, and pepper. Stir once to distribute everything and bring to a gentle boil.
6. Cover, reduce the heat to low, and cook for approximately 18–22 minutes. Avoid repeatedly lifting the lid.
7. Check the rice. If it is still firm and the pot looks dry, add 2–4 tablespoons hot stock, cover, and cook a little longer.
8. Once the rice is tender, scatter the peas over the surface. Cover and cook for another 3 minutes.
9. Remove from the heat and leave covered for 5 minutes. Fluff gently, taste, and finish with parsley.

Cooking tips and substitutions

• Keep the heat low once covered to reduce the risk of scorching.
• Stock saltiness varies; taste before adding extra salt.
• Replace the peas with a small amount of sweetcorn if preferred.
• Add chili flakes with the spices for a hotter version.

Serving suggestions

Serve in bowls with a cucumber salad. For another ground-beef dinner, try Beef Meatballs in Tomato Sauce.

Use a food thermometer to check safe doneness: FoodSafety.gov safe cooking temperatures.