Garlic Butter Beef and Rice Skillet with Cheddar Parmesan Sauce
A hearty and flavorful one-pan meal featuring garlic-infused ground beef cooked with long-grain white rice, seasoned with Cajun spices, and finished with a creamy cheddar and Parmesan cheese sauce. This garlic butter beef and rice skillet is perfect for a comforting dinner that comes together quickly with minimal cleanup.
- Author: Leo
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Lactose
Meat and Rice
- 1 lb Ground Beef
- 1 cup Long-Grain White Rice (uncooked)
Seasonings and Oil
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 4 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 tablespoon Cajun Seasoning
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Cheese and Broth
- 1 cup Cheddar Cheese (shredded)
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese (grated)
- 2 cups Beef Broth
- Cook the Ground Beef: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned and fully cooked through. Season lightly with salt and pepper, then drain any excess fat if necessary.
- Sauté the Garlic: Push the cooked beef to one side of the skillet. Add the minced garlic to the empty space and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to let it burn.
- Add Spices: Sprinkle in the onion powder and Cajun seasoning. Stir well to coat the ground beef evenly with the spices and garlic.
- Add Rice and Broth: Pour in the uncooked rice and beef broth. Stir everything together to combine, then bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
- Simmer the Rice: Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for 18-20 minutes. Cook until the rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Finish with Cheese Sauce: Remove the skillet from heat. Fold in the grated Parmesan and shredded Cheddar cheese. Stir until the sauce becomes thick, creamy, and the cheese has fully melted into the mixture.
- Season and Serve: Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt, pepper, or Cajun seasoning if desired. Serve immediately, garnished if you like with extra cheese or chopped fresh parsley.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and grease.
- Be careful to not burn the garlic; sauté only until fragrant.
- Stir the rice occasionally during cooking to prevent it from sticking to the pan.
- For a spicier dish, increase the Cajun seasoning or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Feel free to substitute beef broth with chicken broth or vegetable broth for variation.
- Optional garnish ideas include chopped parsley, green onions, or extra shredded cheese.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 1.5g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1.5g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: garlic butter beef skillet, beef and rice recipe, cheesy beef skillet, easy dinner skillet, Cajun beef and rice