Description
This Garlic Butter Beef and Rice Skillet with Cheddar Parmesan Sauce is a hearty and flavorful one-pan dinner featuring savory ground beef, tender rice, and a rich, cheesy sauce. Perfect for a comforting weeknight meal, this easy-to-make dish combines garlic, butter, and a blend of cheddar and Parmesan cheeses to create a creamy sauce that brings the whole dish together. Garnished with fresh parsley, it’s a crowd-pleaser that’s both satisfying and simple.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Rice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef (85/15)
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 cup long-grain white rice (uncooked)
- 2 ½ cups beef broth
Cheddar Parmesan Sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- ½ cup whole milk
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until browned and cooked through, about 5–7 minutes. Drain excess grease if needed.
- Sauté onions and garlic: Add the finely chopped onion to the skillet and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Add the rice: Stir in the uncooked long-grain white rice, coating it thoroughly with the beef and spice mixture.
- Simmer the rice: Pour in the beef broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover the skillet, and simmer for 18–20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Make the cheese sauce: While the rice cooks, melt unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux. Slowly whisk in the whole milk to create a smooth sauce. Stir in the shredded cheddar and grated Parmesan cheeses until melted and creamy.
- Combine and serve: Once the rice is cooked, pour the cheese sauce over the beef and rice mixture in the skillet. Stir gently to combine everything evenly. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired and serve hot.
Notes
- You can use pre-cooked rice to speed up cooking—reduce the broth to 1 cup and simmer for 5–7 minutes.
- For extra heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a chopped jalapeño when sautéing the onions.
- This dish works well with ground turkey or chicken as a substitute for beef.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ½ cups
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 690mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
