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Cheesy Slow Cooker Beef Rice Skillet: Easy One-Pot Dinner

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A hearty, cheesy slow cooker beef and rice dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights. The rice soaks up beefy broth and melted cheese for a creamy, satisfying one-pot meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 works best)
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice (uncooked; jasmine or basmati work beautifully)
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained (fire-roasted adds a nice smoky depth)
  • 2 cups beef broth (low-sodium is best)
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (regular paprika works, but smoked adds depth)
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (recommend Tillamook or Cabot)
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan (the real stuff)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
  • 1 green onion, sliced thin (for garnish)
  • A pinch of flaky sea salt (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Brown the ground beef. Heat your skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until it is no longer pink—about 6 to 8 minutes. Do not drain all the fat; leave about a tablespoon in the pan for flavor. If you are using lean beef, add a tablespoon of olive oil to keep things moist. Season the beef with a pinch of salt and pepper while it cooks.
  2. Sauté the aromatics. Push the beef to one side of the skillet and add the diced onion. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until it starts to soften and turn translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir everything together so the onions and garlic get mixed into the beef.
  3. Add the tomato paste. Push the beef mixture to the edges of the pan and drop the tomato paste into the center. Let it cook for about a minute, stirring constantly, until it darkens slightly. This step removes the raw tomato taste and adds a deeper, almost caramelized flavor. Stir the paste into the beef mixture.
  4. Transfer to the slow cooker. Spoon the beef mixture into the bottom of your slow cooker insert. Spread it out into an even layer.
  5. Add the rice and seasonings. Sprinkle the uncooked rice over the beef. Add the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir lightly to distribute the seasonings through the rice and beef.
  6. Pour in the liquids. Pour the undrained diced tomatoes and the beef broth over the top. Do not stir yet—just let the liquid settle. This helps the rice cook evenly without getting disturbed too much.
  7. Cook on low. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 2 to 2.5 hours. Check at the 2-hour mark—the rice should be tender and most of the liquid should be absorbed. If it still looks soupy, let it go another 30 minutes.
  8. Add the cheese. Once the rice is cooked, sprinkle the shredded cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan evenly over the top. Cover and let it sit for 5 minutes with the heat off so the cheese melts slowly. If you want a browned top, switch the slow cooker to warm and let it sit for 10 minutes.
  9. Garnish and serve. Sprinkle fresh parsley and sliced green onions over the top. Add a pinch of flaky sea salt if desired. Serve straight from the slow cooker or transfer to a serving dish.

Notes

Do not lift the lid during cooking. Use long-grain white rice; avoid instant rice. Shred your own cheese for best melting. Let the dish rest for 5-10 minutes after adding cheese. For a lighter version, use ground turkey or chicken and reduced-fat cheese. For a dairy-free version, use dairy-free cheese alternatives and skip the Parmesan.

Nutrition

Keywords: cheesy slow cooker beef rice skillet, one-pot dinner, ground beef and rice, slow cooker recipe, easy weeknight dinner, comfort food

Find it online: https://cookluma.com/cheesy-slow-cooker-beef-rice-skillet-easy-one-pot-dinner/