This simple, easy Spanish Rice and Ground Beef recipe makes a great 30 minute dinner, perfect for those nights when you need to get food on the table fast. It’s inexpensive but tasty and is a meal the whole family will love!
I discovered this easy Spanish rice and ground beef recipe in the early days of our marriage.
Back when I was still figuring out how to cook and struggling to make our very small grocery budget work, yet determined to do it because I desperately wanted to meet our goal of paying off our mortgage in 5 years.
I grew up in a meat and potatoes kind of family that rarely ate rice, so not only was eating it somewhat new to me, I also wasn’t familiar with good recipes that used it.
But I knew that it was a frugal pantry staple and was super versatile, so I started looking for easy rice recipes that I could add to our menu and hopefully stretch our grocery budget as a result!
This simple beef and rice recipe was one of the first that I tried. It caught my eye because it didn’t use a lot of meat, which is often one of the biggest grocery expenses, and the rest of the ingredients were inexpensive things that I had on hand- including tomato juice which I can myself.
Even though it is a simple dish without a lot of extra flavor, we really liked it! And it’s been a regular on my frugal menu plans ever since.
In fact, I’m not really sure why I waited so long to share it with you all here! I think it was mostly because it’s such a basic recipe that I wasn’t sure people would even want to try it.
But, I’ve learned that sometimes simple is the best and I’ve discovered that many of you feel the same way. So, here it is, in all it’s simple, delicious glory. 🙂
So if you’re looking for an inexpensive, basic recipe that will satisfy your family, but be easy on your grocery budget, this recipe is perfect for you!
It’s also great for nights when you need to get dinner on the table fast! It’s called Speedy Spanish Rice and Beef Skillet for a reason you know. 🙂
Happy cooking, friends!
Speedy Spanish Rice and Ground Beef Skillet
Speedy Spanish Rice and Beef Skillet
This simple, easy Spanish Rice and Ground Beef recipe makes a great 30 minute dinner, perfect for those nights when you need to get food on the table fast. It’s inexpensive but tasty and is a meal the whole family will love!
Ingredients
- 1/2 to 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 large onion, diced
- 1/2 c. diced bell pepper opt.
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 c. Jasmine or long grain rice, uncooked
- 1/4 tsp. black pepper
- 2 c. tomato juice
- 2 c. water
- 1 c. shredded cheese
Instructions
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In a large skillet, brown meat, onion and bell pepper.
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Add remaining ingredients, except cheese. Cover and simmer 20 minutes or until rice is soft. Add more water if needed.
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Top with cheese and let sit until melted. (You can also stir the cheese into the rice if you prefer.)
Recipe Notes
If you prefer more flavor, you can add a little chili powder as well.
Brown rice does not really work in this recipe. If you use plain white rice, you will probably need to cut back the water to just 1 1/2 cups.
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Laurie Graves says
There are thrifty ways to jazz up the rice dish. Salsa can be added, as well as cumin, chili powder, and garlic. Of course, it all depends on your family’s taste.
ThriftyFrugalMom says
Those are great suggestions, Laurie! Thanks!
Super Mom - No Cape! says
I keep packages of cooked rice in the freezer for quick dinners like this.
ThriftyFrugalMom says
That’s so smart! It definitely does speed meal prep, doesn’t it?
Catherine says
Mmmm such a comforting meal for weeknights…these look so good!
ThriftyFrugalMom says
Thanks, Catherine! I love how easy it is and my family loves the comfort food factor…which of course makes it a total win. 🙂
Alicia says
We love rice dishes! I recently made a paella that will become part of our regular rotation. Now that hubby likes that, he would probably enjoy this one
ThriftyFrugalMom says
If you are fans of rice, then I think this one will be a hit! And now you have me googling what paella is. That’s a new one for me!
Kim says
This looks absolutely delicious and I love how quick and easy it is!
ThriftyFrugalMom says
Thanks, Kim! Quick and easy are my favorites these days.
larry says
Going to try your recipes.
ThriftyFrugalMom says
I hope you enjoy them, Larry!
Melissa says
I made this tonight and all of my kids loved it! These days that’s a grand miracle. Thanks for sharing!
ThriftyFrugalMom says
A grand miracle. Ha! I totally get that. 🙂 So glad that it was a winner with everyone!
Liz says
I was searching for recipes for hamburger meat and came across this one, I’m in the process of making right now. The only thing is that I don’t have onion or ther pepper, my family doesn’t like either so that’s good. I did add spices and I also didn’t have tomato juice so I used tomato sauce instead. So we’ll see how it turns out.. Thank you for this!!
ThriftyFrugalMom says
I love that you figured out how to tweak it to make it work with what you had on hand and what would fit you family’s taste! How did it turn out, Liz? I’m especially curious if you needed to add any water to the tomato sauce to get the rice to cook enough.
Linda says
Last week we had your Spanish Rice & Ground Beef Skillet. Everyone enjoyed it.
I appreciated that it was simple and that I had everything already at home to prepare it.
I love your website and delicious cost cutting recipes. Thank you!
ThriftyFrugalMom says
So glad that you all enjoyed it, Linda! And thanks for your kinds words and for taking the time to let me know. That means so much!