Spanish Rice with Ground Beef Recipe

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Family dinner preparation can be tricky and time-consuming. But today, we’ve got you covered as we share a great Spanish rice with beef recipe to prepare and enjoy with the whole family!

Plenty of easy rice recipes are readily available online in various ways. But this perfectly spiced and simple Spanish rice recipe is ready to serve as your main dish in the household. Try this delicious and easy Spanish Rice with Ground Beef recipe cooked all in one pot to make your celebrations or regular dinners at home even more special!

Why You Should Try This Spanish Rice Recipe

This Spanish rice recipe has been tried and tested and it never fails! Here are some of the reasons why this Spanish rice recipe is the best:

Quick preparation time with simple daily ingredients that you likely have in your pantry or fridge.
The flavor in this Spanish rice is intense and perfect as a side dish or on its own.
Excellent for reheating and freezing.

How to Make Spanish Rice with Ground Beef

Add the toppings of your choice for an affordable, family-friendly meal, or cook this simple one-pot Spanish rice with ground beef as a delicious side dish!

Prep: 10 mins

Cook: 40 mins

Total: 50 mins

Yield: 4 servings

Recipe Ingredients:

½ pound lean ground beef or ground turkey
¾ cup diced green bell pepper
¾ cup diced red bell pepper
¾ cup chopped onion (white onion or yellow onion)
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 cup uncooked rice (long grain rice, white rice, or brown rice)
1 can diced tomatoes and green chilies (original or hot)
1 tablespoon chili powder (optional)
8 ounces tomato sauce
1 tablespoon Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
½ frozen corn
Chopped cilantro (optional)
Optional toppings: chopped tomatoes, chopped avocados, sliced green onions, Monterey jack shredded cheese, sour cream, and salsa

Recipe Directions:

Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Pour in the olive oil and add lean ground beef. Cook for about 5 minutes until the ground beef is no longer pink
Break up the ground beef with a wooden spoon as you cook on medium heat. If needed, drain the excess grease or blot it from the ground beef.
After you add ground beef and it turns brown on medium heat, add the green and red bell peppers, onion, and garlic.
Stirring occasionally, cook the green pepper, red bell pepper, onion, and garlic for 3 to 4 minutes or until they have softened up.
Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, taco seasoning mix, and uncooked rice, which can be either long grain rice, white rice, or brown rice, stirring frequently until well blended. If you want it spicy, add chili powder.
After you add rice and chili powder, stir in the chicken broth. Bring to a boil then reduce heat. Simmer for 25 minutes with the lid on.
Remove the lid and thoroughly mix the remaining ingredients.
Add in the frozen corn, cover the skillet, and simmer/ cook for another 5 minutes, or until the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is cooked.
Stir well and taste for seasoning. As needed, adjust the seasonings by adding black pepper and salt. If preferred with ground beef Spanish rice, garnish this great recipe with cilantro.
Serve with any Mexican dish, wrapped in tortillas, or just topped with your favorite toppings such as Monterey jack shredded cheese to turn it into a meal or a side dish.

Tips for Leftover Spanish Rice with Ground Beef

Storing: Rice can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 4 days after it has reached room temperature and make sure it is in an airtight container.

Reheating: Rice tends to dry quickly, so add a teaspoon of water over the dish before reheating. Rice should be heated in the microwave, stirring after every 30 seconds. You can also heat the leftover rice in a skillet or saucepan on the stovetop.

Freezing: Rice should cool down before being transferred to a freezer bag or airtight container. Don’t let the cooked rice sit at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Keep the rice dish in the freezer. It has a 3-month shelf life, after which it is prone to freezer burn.

Final Note

Spanish Rice with Ground Beef is the perfect recipe that is sure to please everyone’s taste buds. With the flavors of ground beef, a slight note of garlic and other spices, and creamy cheese, this rice meal will cook with a heartier and more fulfilling flavor you can serve to your family and guests. Are you ready to attempt more delicious rice meals? Check out our gallery for more easy recipes.