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Beef and Zucchini Skillet Rice

Ground beef browned with garlic and onion, simmered with zucchini, red bell pepper, and diced tomatoes, then finished with basmati rice and a little melted cheddar. A savory one-pan dinner.

Standard Savory

Made September 27, 2026

Prep

8m

Cook

22m

Serves

1

Difficulty

easy

Total: 35 minutes (incl. 5m rest)

Allergens: dairy

Cook ground beef to 71°C/160°F and avoid cross-contamination by washing hands and surfaces after handling raw meat.

Nutrition estimates

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Ingredients

  • 150 g ground beef

  • 15 ml olive oil

  • 1/2 red onion

  • 2 cloves of garlic

  • 1 zucchini

  • 1 red bell pepper

  • 80 g canned diced tomatoes

  • 80 g basmati rice

  • 1 tsp smoked paprika

  • 1/2 tsp cumin

  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano

  • 1/2 tsp salt

  • 1/4 tsp black pepper

  • 40 g cheddar cheese

Tools you'll need

skillet with lid wooden spoon knife cutting board measuring cups

Chef's tip: Let the cooked skillet stand covered off the heat for the full 5 minutes; the rice finishes steaming and the cheese melts without scorching.

Chef's tip: If the rice is still firm when the liquid is absorbed, add 2 tbsp hot water, cover, and steam 3 more minutes off the heat.

Instructions

  1. 1

    Dice the red onion, red bell pepper, and zucchini into 1.5 cm pieces. Mince the garlic. Measure the basmati rice, water, smoked paprika, cumin, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper.

    ~8 min
  2. 2

    Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes.

    ~3 min
  3. 3

    Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart, until browned and no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic, smoked paprika, cumin, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

    ~6 min
  4. 4

    Stir in the zucchini, red bell pepper, canned diced tomatoes, basmati rice, and water. Bring to a simmer, then cover and cook until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed, about 12 minutes.

    ~12 min
  5. 5

    While step 4 cooks

    While the rice cooks, grate the cheddar cheese.

    ~2 min
  6. 6

    Remove the skillet from the heat and scatter the cheddar cheese over the top. Cover and let stand until the cheese melts, about 5 minutes.

    ~5 min