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–+ servings
A spoonful of comforting ground beef casserole with noodles and a breadcrumb topping, served over rice.

Comforting Ground Beef and Rice Skillet

This easy skillet meal combines ground beef, green peppers, onions, and marinara sauce with rice, all topped with a cheesy, golden breadcrumb crust. It's a perfect weeknight dinner that feels like home.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Bake Time 10 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Skillet
  • 1 cup uncooked instant rice
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 2 medium green peppers cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 1 jar (26 ounces) marinara sauce
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons salt-free seasoning blend
For the Topping
  • 1/2 cup shredded Italian cheese blend
  • 1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Skillet

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Cook the instant rice according to the package directions.
  2. While the rice cooks, heat a large cast-iron or other ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, green peppers, and onion. Cook until the beef is no longer pink, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain off any excess fat.
  3. Stir the cooked rice, marinara sauce, and salt-free seasoning blend into the skillet with the beef mixture. Mix well to combine.
  4. Stir in the shredded Italian cheese blend until it is evenly distributed.
  5. In a small bowl, toss the seasoned bread crumbs with the olive oil until they are lightly coated.
  6. Sprinkle the bread crumb mixture evenly over the top of the skillet contents.
  7. Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the skillet is heated through.

Notes

This recipe is easily adaptable. Feel free to add other vegetables like corn or peas, or swap the Italian cheese for mozzarella or cheddar.

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