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    Home » Main Course » Spanish Rice with Ground Beef

    Spanish Rice with Ground Beef

    Published: May 3, 2023 by Anne Clark · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
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    Spanish Rice with Ground Beef is a classic comfort food that is both delicious and satisfying. This family recipe is packed with flavors from the seasoned beef, vegetables, and spices, making it a great meal any time of the year. Whether you're cooking for your family or a group of friends, this dish is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

    This is my grandmother's recipe, and I'm so thankful to have it. The only thing I changed was she used fresh onion, bell pepper, and celery and I use the frozen version.

    Spanish Rice is a delicious and satisfying one pot meal that's perfect served all by itself or with a side such as Grilled Corn on the Cob or this Simple Tossed Green Salad. With its hearty flavors and easy preparation, I hope it becomes a favorite in your household, too.

    Cooked Spanish Rice topped with parsley in white serving bowl with silver serving spoon in the rice.
    Jump to:
    • Reasons to Love This
    • Key Ingredients You'll Need
    • How to Make It
    • What to Serve It
    • Ingredient Substitutions
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Tips for Success
    • More Comfort Food
    • Recipe
    • Comments

    I mean, have you ever tasted something so good that you wanted to do a little dance? That's how I feel about this Spanish Rice. It's the kind of meal that makes you want to do a little happy dance in your kitchen!

    And the best part? It's so easy to make! You don't have to be a master chef to whip up this dish. All you need is a few basic ingredients and some kitchen know-how.

    Reasons to Love This

    My top 4 reasons to love this Spanish Rice with Ground Beef!

    It's a homemade, hearty, and filling meal that's great for any occasion.

    This all-in-one meal hits all the targets! The ground beef provides a good source of protein, while the rice and vegetables make it a well-rounded meal.

    It's a great way to feed a hungry crowd, and the flavor is delicious that most everyone, even the kids, will love it. Double the recipe for a larger group.

    This dish is also very versatile and can be served with a variety of sides, making it a great option for any family meal. You can sneak in more vegetables, such as chopped carrots, to add more flavor and hearty goodness!

    Key Ingredients You'll Need

    Ingredients measured out in individual containers.

    Extra Lean Ground Beef - I really like using 90% lean / 4% fat ground beef for this recipe. It produces very little fat while cooking it so there won't be much fat to drain off. You may only need a paper towel to blot away the fat.

    Onion, Bell Pepper, and Celery - If you use the frozen chopped onion, bell pepper, and celery blend, you'll save yourself some prep time. And it's less wasteful! Just pop the bag back into the freezer for later use.

    Tomato Sauce - thickens and adds great flavor! If you don't have any tomato sauce, check out my list of substitutes further down the post.

    Long Grain Rice - this kind of rice doesn't get mushy or sticky! However, be sure not to use instant rice as the results will not be the same.

    Seasonings - chili powder, garlic powder, parsley flakes, salt, and pepper add more flavor and brings the dish together.

    How to Make It

    Only 4 easy steps are needed to make Spanish Rice with Ground Beef! See the actual recipe card below for full details.

    Ground beef, rice, onion, bell pepper, and celery browned in a pot.

    Step 1 - Sauté the beef, veggies, and rice until the beef is no longer pink.

    Tomato sauce, seasonings, and hot water added to beef and rice mixture.

    Step 2 - Stir in the seasonings, tomato sauce, and hot water.

    Cooked Spanish Rice in the pot.

    Step 3 - Cook covered on the stove for about 45 minutes.

    Cooked Spanish Rice in a white serving bowl with spoon inserted into the mixture.  Sliced green onions on the side.  Sliced tomatoes on the side.

    Step 4 - Top with sliced green onions! Serve with sliced tomatoes if desired.

    What to Serve It

    Spanish Rice with Ground Beef is a great one-pot meal that can be served on its own or with a variety of sides. Some great options include:

    • Buttered and toasted garlic bread or French bread
    • Sliced green onions (my dad's favorite!)
    • Sliced fresh tomatoes
    • Top with sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
    • Top it with shredded cheddar cheese right before serving.
    • Rolls (try stuffing the roll with some Spanish Rice!)
    • Don't forget the hot sauce!

    Ingredient Substitutions

    Substitutes for the Ground Beef

    • Ground Turkey - ground turkey is a great substitute and still provides a good source of protein.
    • Ground Chicken - ground chicken is leaner than ground beef but is milder in flavor so you may need to add extra seasonings.
    • Ground Pork - ground pork has a slightly sweeter flavor than ground beef and is a good sub for beef.

    Substitutes for the Tomato Sauce

    • Crushed or diced tomatoes - these have similar flavor but the texture is not as smooth; still a great substitute.
    • Tomato paste - the flavor is more intense and the texture is very thick so you'll need to add some water to it to thin it out.

    Substitutes for the Chili Powder

    • Cajun seasoning - this is a great substitute for chili powder but it's also much spicier (which is a good thing for some people!)
    • Cumin - this is another great sub for chili powder; it's widely used in Mexican dishes.
    • Paprika - paprika is very similar to chili powder but a lot less spicier. It has a slight smokey flavor. Use smoked paprika for more intense smoke flavor.

    Recipe FAQs

    Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?

    Yes, and it will turn out just as flavorful and great!

    Can I make Spanish Rice ahead of time?

    Yes, you can make it ahead of time and reheat it before serving. It also freezes well, so you can make a big batch and store it for later.

    Can I add more vegetables to this recipe?

    You can add any vegetables that you like to this recipe. Some great options include chopped or diced bell peppers, carrots, or zucchini.

    How long will it last in the fridge?

    Keep it covered and eat it within 3 days.

    Tips for Success

    To make this Spanish Rice with Ground Beef even more flavorful, you can use chicken broth instead of water to cook the rice. I use hot water because that's what my little Cajun grandmother used to do 😉

    Make sure to brown the ground beef and rice well before adding the liquids, to the pan. This will help to develop the flavors and ensure that the beef is cooked through. Use a spatula to scrape and incorporate any bits and pieces that may stuck to the bottom of the pan. Here's a fantastic video on the technique of How to Brown Ground Beef.

    Use a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven to cook this dish. This will help to distribute the heat evenly and prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom of the pot.

    Cooked Spanish Rice in a white serving bowl with spoon inserted into the mixture. Sliced green onions on the side. Sliced tomatoes on the side.

    More Comfort Food

    • cooked chicken and rice in skillet
      Southern Chicken and Rice (One Pot)
    • dirty rice dressing in bowl
      Easy Cajun Rice Dressing
    • Cooked Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya in pan with toasted french bread on the side
      Cajun Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya
    • Red beans and sausage next to rice on brown plate with cornbread on the side.
      Easy Cajun Red Beans and Rice

    If you'd like more easy recipes sent straight to your email, subscribe and get a free 5-day meal plan! How easy is that!

    If you tried this recipe, please let me know by leaving a comment! I'd love to hear from you.

    Recipe

    Cooked Spanish Rice in a white serving bowl with spoon inserted into the mixture. Sliced green onions on the side. Sliced tomatoes on the side.

    Spanish Rice with Ground Beef

    Homemade Spanish Rice is packed with delicious flavors and easy to make! Made with ground beef, rice, tomato sauce, and tasty seasonings.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Pin For Later Rate
    Course: Entree, Side Dish
    Cuisine: American, Mexican
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 45 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 55 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 296kcal
    Author: Anne Clark | My Kitchen Serenity

    Equipment

    • large pot with cover
    • measuring cup(s)
    • measuring spoons

    Ingredients

    • ½ pound extra lean ground beef
    • ½ cup frozen chopped onion, bell pepper, and celery "seasoning blend"
    • 1 cup long grain uncooked rice
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon chili powder
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
    • 16 ounces tomato sauce
    • 2 cups hot tap water
    • sliced green onion for garnish
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • In a large heavy duty non-stick pot or Dutch oven, saute the beef, onion, bell pepper, and celery mixture, and rice until the beef is no longer pink. Break apart and crumble the ground beef, mixing with the rice and veggies, as it is cooking. Chopping and stirring often. Drain off any grease (or move ground mixture to the side of the pan and blot the bottom of the pan with a paper towel).
    • Add seasonings, tomato sauce, and hot water. Blend well with a spoon. Taste test for flavor and add additional seasonings if needed.
    • Bring to a boil, cover, and cook 45 minutes on low heat (just barely a simmer). Remove cover and stir. (Or you can bake in the oven at 350F for 1 hour)
    • Top with sliced green onions, if desired. Serve as a main entree with whole kernel corn, green beans, and/or fresh sliced tomatoes on the side.

    Notes

    Make-ahead friendly - Make it ahead of time and reheat it before serving. It also freezes well, so you can make a big batch and store it for later.
    Storing leftovers - keep leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
    This meal is great all by itself but you can serve it with a green salad and garlic toast!
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @mykitchenserenity or tag #mykitchenserenity on Instagram!!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 296kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 1181mg | Potassium: 666mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 2142IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 3mg

    Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy to my readers. I'm not a nutritionist and I don't guarantee the accuracy of this data. The data may differ according to the brands I used versus the brands you use. To calculate the data yourself using your brands, try using an online nutrition calculator or app.

    « Cinnamon Swirl Cake
    Simple Lasagna with Jar Sauce »

    About Anne Clark

    Hi! I'm Anne, the founder and content creator at My Kitchen Serenity, a food blog focused on serving the needs of busy moms and dads who are looking for easy and delicious recipes for the family.

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    Hi. I’m Anne and I’m happy to share with you my easy, family-friendly recipes. I’ve been cooking for my family for 30 years, and what I’ve learned is that most busy families appreciate easy homemade meals. Now that the kids are grown, my passion is creating and sharing flavorful food for you and your family to enjoy as well. If you have any questions, feel free to email me at Anne@mykitchenserenity.com. 

    I’d love to hear from you!

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