Spanish Rice with Ground Beef

This recipe for Spanish rice with ground beef is a great way to enjoy this classic Mexican dish while adding in extra protein. The beef adds heartiness, while the combination of onion, garlic, bell peppers, tomato, and spices provides flavor.

Why You'll Love Spanish Rice with Ground Beef

This Spanish rice with ground beef is easy to make, packed with flavor, and full of nutrient-rich ingredients. You make the whole recipe in one dish, so cleanup is easy. This dish includes your protein, vegetables, and grain all in one recipe for a well-rounded meal.

It’s a great dish to make for a weeknight meal or for an impressive dinner party with friends and family. You can customize this recipe by adding in extra vegetables, swapping out the ground beef for your favorite protein, and changing up the spices to suit your taste buds.

Is this Recipe Healthy?

This Spanish rice with ground beef includes protein from the ground beef as well as antioxidant-filled vegetables like bell peppers and onion. It also contains carbohydrates in the form of rice, which provides essential vitamins and minerals. To make this recipe even healthier, use lean or extra lean ground beef and brown rice.

Ingredients You'll Need for this Recipe

• Ground beef
• Red bell pepper
• Italian green pepper 
• Onion 
• Garlic cloves
• Bunch of fresh cilantro
• White rice
• Tomato paste
• Olive oil 
• Salt
• Cumin 
• Black pepper
• Chili flakes
• Oregano
• Water

How to Make Spanish Rice with Ground Beef

1. Prep the veggies: Finely dice the onion and red and green bell peppers. Mash or mince the garlic cloves. Set aside.
2. Heat a bit of olive oil in a medium-sized pan. Add the veggies and cook for 10 minutes until they are soft and fragrant.
3. Leave the veggies in the pan. Add a bit more olive oil if needed and cook the ground beef with the veggies. Season with the salt, black pepper, cumin, oregano, and chili flakes. Cook until the beef is browned, making sure to break up any lumps in the meat.
4. Add the rice, tomato paste, and a bit of chopped fresh cilantro to the pan. Mix well to distribute all the flavors and coat every grain of rice.
5. Add water to the pan and mix well. Cook on medium heat until the rice has absorbed all the water. Do not mix while the rice is cooking.
6. Serve with more chopped fresh cilantro sprinkled on top.

Tips & Variations for this Dish

For the best Spanish rice with ground beef follow these tips and variation ideas:

• Make sure your spices are fresh and not expired.
• Do not mix the rice while it is cooking or it will release its starch and turn mushy.
• Depending on your type of rice, you may need a bit more water. Add more water if needed. You can also cover the pan and let it rest for 10 minutes after cooking to allow the rice more time to absorb the liquid.
• Substitute vegetable or beef stock for the water for a tastier dish.
• Add in black beans or pinto beans for extra protein and nutrients.
• Add more vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, or carrots.
• If you prefer a spicier dish, add in jalapeno peppers while cooking the veggies.
• Top with fresh diced tomatoes when serving for extra flavor.
• Add lime juice right before serving to bring out all the flavors.
• Serve with sliced avocado, sour cream, grated cheese, and/or chopped green onions.

More Mexican-Inspired Recipes

• Mexican Potatoes with Spicy Cilantro Mayo
• Spanish Cauliflower Rice
• Roasted Poblano Skillet Queso Blanco
• Black Bean Quesadillas

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