Spanish Rice with Ground Beef

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.