Description
A quick, 30-minute one-pot dinner featuring savory ground beef, caramelized onions, and rice in a rich broth, topped with melted sharp cheddar cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
- 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup long-grain white rice (rinsed)
- 2 cups beef broth (low-sodium)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prep ingredients: Slice onions thinly, mince garlic, and rinse rice under cold water until water runs clear. Measure broth and seasonings.
- Sauté onions: Heat butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and a pinch of salt. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft, golden, and caramelized.
- Brown beef: Add ground beef to the skillet. Break it up and cook for 5-6 minutes until no longer pink. Drain excess grease if necessary, leaving some for flavor. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add liquids and rice: Pour in beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and dark soy sauce. Stir to scrape up browned bits from the bottom. Add rinsed rice, dried thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Simmer: Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and simmer for 12-15 minutes without lifting the lid. Check rice for tenderness; if needed, simmer 2-3 more minutes.
- Rest and top: Remove skillet from heat and discard bay leaf. Fluff rice with a fork. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Cover and let sit for 5 minutes to melt cheese. Garnish with parsley and serve.
Notes
Rinse rice thoroughly to prevent mushiness. Do not lift the lid during simmering to ensure proper steam cooking. Use sharp cheddar for better flavor and melting. For a vegetarian version, substitute beef with lentils or mushrooms and use vegetable broth.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the skillet
- Calories: 520
- Sodium: 680
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 28
Keywords: one-pot meal, ground beef, french onion, rice, quick dinner, weeknight dinner, comfort food, cheddar cheese