Description
This *Quick and Tasty Dirty Rice with Ground Beef* is a bold, one-pan Southern favorite that transforms everyday ingredients into a savory, deeply flavorful dish. Perfect for busy weeknights, it’s hearty, budget-friendly, and ideal for meal prep. With tender rice, seasoned ground beef, and aromatic vegetables like bell peppers and onions, it’s an easy recipe you’ll want on repeat. Whether you’re looking for dinner ideas, a quick lunch, or new comfort food ideas, this dirty rice checks every box—spicy, filling, and satisfying from the first bite to the last. Great for easy dinners, family meals, and anyone craving a homemade dish with soul.
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
2 cups cooked white rice
1 small green bell pepper, diced
1 small red bell pepper, diced
1 stalk celery, diced
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
Salt and black pepper, to taste
0.25 cup chicken broth or water
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
Optional: a pinch of cayenne pepper or hot sauce
Instructions
1. Prep your vegetables: dice the bell peppers, celery, onion, and garlic. If needed, cook the rice and let it cool.
2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef for 2–3 minutes undisturbed, then break it up and cook until fully browned. Drain excess fat.
3. Add diced onion, celery, and bell peppers. Sauté for 5–6 minutes until soft, then add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
4. Stir in Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and cayenne or hot sauce if using. Mix well.
5. Add cooked rice and pour in chicken broth. Stir everything to combine and cook for 3–5 minutes until heated through.
6. Remove from heat, mix in chopped parsley, and taste for seasoning.
7. Garnish with sliced green onions and serve hot.
Notes
Use cold, day-old rice for best texture—fresh rice can make the dish mushy.
Browning the beef properly enhances flavor—don’t rush that step.
The parsley and green onions at the end brighten the dish—don’t skip them!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern / Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1¼ cups
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 21g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: dirty rice, ground beef recipe, easy dinner, Southern food ideas, one-pan meals, comfort food, quick meal prep, rice and beef