4-Ingredient Budget Beef & Rice Skillet

This old-fashioned beef and rice dinner is a hearty, budget-friendly meal that’s perfect for feeding the whole family. Made with just four pantry staples, it’s comforting, filling, and comes together with very little effort.

Ingredients

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
• 1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 medium onion, diced

Optional Seasonings

• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 2 cups beef broth or water (if needed)

Instructions

1. Brown the ground beef with the diced onion in a large skillet or Dutch oven. Drain excess grease.
2. Stir in the uncooked rice and diced tomatoes with their juices.
3. Add garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and beef broth if using.
4. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low.
5. Cover and simmer for 20–25 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the rice is tender.
6. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Prep Time

10 minutes

Cook Time

30 minutes

Total Time

40 minutes

Servings

6 servings