Rich, creamy, and deeply savory. This Garlic Butter Beef and Rice Skillet relies on simple ingredients to create a hearty meal. James requested something warm after a long workday, and this Ground Beef And Rice Skillet came together effortlessly in under an hour. It is a robust, comforting pan that feeds the whole family with minimal cleanup required.
Why You'll Love This
This Garlic Butter Beef and Rice Skillet transforms standard pantry staples into a unified dish. The primary benefit is how the grains cook directly in the broth, absorbing incredible savory flavor while saving you from washing multiple pots. You will also appreciate how the melted cheeses bind everything into a creamy finish. Ethan loves how these Skillet Meals Ground Beef recipes provide a comforting, dense bite without being overly complicated.
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Ingredients & Equipment
Gathering these simple pantry items ensures your meal develops the right balance of richness and texture. Every element contributes to building a flavorful foundation for these classic Rice Skillet Meals.
The full Garlic Butter Beef and Rice Skillet instructions are right in the card below.
Main Ingredients
- Ground beef: Browned to provide a hearty, savory foundation.
- Uncooked rice: Long-grain white rice cooks evenly in the broth.
- Beef broth: Infuses the grains with deep, robust flavor as they soften.
- Butter: Adds richness to the aromatics and a silky finish to the sauce.
- Cheddar & Parmesan cheese: Melts into the residual liquid to form a thick, creamy binder.
- Milk: Smooths out the cheese melt for a velvety texture.
- Garlic, Thyme, & Smoked Paprika: A simple blend that builds a warm, deeply seasoned profile.
Optional Extras
You can stir in a handful of frozen peas or diced bell peppers during the last ten minutes of cooking to sneak in some extra vegetables. A dash of hot sauce or red pepper flakes mixed in with the spices also brings a wonderful, lingering warmth to the creamy sauce.
How to Make Garlic Butter Beef and Rice Skillet at Home
Creating this dish requires a straightforward layering technique, offering a comforting alternative to a heavy Steak And Rice dinner.
Brown The Beef Melt one tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat and cook the ground beef with chopped onions for 5 to 7 minutes. This renders the fat and softens the aromatics, leaving you with browned crumbles.
Toast The Spices Add the minced garlic, thyme, smoked paprika, season salt, and black pepper, cooking for one minute until highly fragrant. Toasting the dry seasonings releases their essential oils, resulting in a dark, deeply aromatic meat mixture.
Add The Liquids Stir in the uncooked rice and beef broth, mixing well before bringing the skillet to a gentle boil.
Should I rinse the rice first? Rinsing removes excess surface starch to prevent a gummy texture, ensuring the grains absorb the savory broth cleanly.
Simmer The Rice Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet tightly, and let it simmer for 18 to 20 minutes. Cooking it gently traps the steam, yielding tender, fully cooked grains that have absorbed most of the liquid.
Melt The Cheese Stir in the remaining butter, milk, parmesan, and cheddar cheese, cooking uncovered for a few minutes. This binds the remaining liquid with the fats, creating a thick, creamy sauce that coats every grain.
Garnish And Serve Remove the pan from the heat and sprinkle fresh parsley over the top before serving warm. The fresh herbs cut through the heavy richness, presenting a bright, colorful dish ready for the table.
Tips
Mastering this Garlic Butter Beef and Rice Skillet depends on heat control and liquid ratios.
Use block cheese → melts smoothly into a Garlic Butter Steak style cream → look for creamy, stretchy ribbons without clumps.
Rinse the grains → removes excess surface starch → look for a smooth, creamy sauce instead of a gummy paste.
Brown meat fully → develops a deep savory base → look for dark, caramelized crumbles.
Toast the spices → releases their essential oils → look for a highly fragrant, dark mixture.
Keep it covered → traps the necessary steam → look for tender, plump grains.
Add cheese off heat → prevents the dairy from splitting → look for a glossy, unified finish.
Follow Aliana on Pinterest →Variations
You can adapt this dish to fit the ingredients you already have in the kitchen. For a robust Beef Tips Over Rice approach, swap the ground meat for seared sirloin chunks to add a satisfying chew. Using chicken broth instead of beef broth also works well if you want a lighter background flavor.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Because the grains absorb moisture as they sit, the mixture will thicken significantly when cold. Reheat portions gently on the stovetop with a splash of milk to restore the original creamy texture.
Serving Suggestions
This Garlic Butter Beef and Rice Skillet is incredibly rich and filling on its own. For a balanced plate, pair it with roasted green beans or a bright, acidic side salad. It also mimics the satisfying heft of a Pepper Steak And Rice meal when served alongside sautéed bell peppers.
FAQs About Garlic Butter Beef and Rice Skillet
Can I use brown rice?
Yes, you can use brown rice, but it requires more liquid and a significantly longer cooking time. You will need to add an extra half cup of broth and simmer for about 40 minutes to ensure the grains soften.
Why is my meal mushy?
A mushy texture usually happens if the skillet was boiled too vigorously or if too much liquid was added initially. Always maintain a gentle, low simmer with the lid tightly secured to cook the grains evenly.
Can I use a different cheese?
Absolutely, swapping the cheddar for provolone or Monterey Jack alters the flavor while maintaining a smooth melt. You want to avoid pre-shredded varieties, as they contain anti-caking agents that prevent a velvety finish.
What can I substitute for the milk?
If you lack milk, half-and-half or heavy cream will provide an even richer, thicker sauce. Even plain water or extra broth works, though you will lose some of that decadent creaminess.
More Recipes You'll Love
Dinner feels much simpler when you have a satisfying Garlic Butter Beef and Rice Skillet on the menu.
Tried this recipe? Tag me on Pinterest @AlianaRecipes - I'd love to see your twist on it!
Garlic Butter Beef and Rice Skillet
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Melt one tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat and cook the ground beef with chopped onions for 5 to 7 minutes. This renders the fat and softens the aromatics, leaving you with browned crumbles.
- Add the minced garlic, thyme, smoked paprika, season salt, and black pepper, cooking for one minute until highly fragrant. Toasting the dry seasonings releases their essential oils, resulting in a dark, deeply aromatic meat mixture.
- Stir in the uncooked rice and beef broth, mixing well before bringing the skillet to a gentle boil. "Should I rinse the rice first?" Rinsing removes excess surface starch to prevent a gummy texture, ensuring the grains absorb the savory broth cleanly.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet tightly, and let it simmer for 18 to 20 minutes. Cooking it gently traps the steam, yielding tender, fully cooked grains that have absorbed most of the liquid.
- Stir in the remaining butter, milk, parmesan, and cheddar cheese, cooking uncovered for a few minutes. This binds the remaining liquid with the fats, creating a thick, creamy sauce that coats every grain.
- Remove the pan from the heat and sprinkle fresh parsley over the top before serving warm. The fresh herbs cut through the heavy richness, presenting a bright, colorful dish ready for the table.
Nutrition
Notes
Pairing
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