Cheesy Ranch Ground Beef and Rice
Our Cheesy Ranch Ground Beef and Rice is a dinner that’s not just easy to make but it’s bursting with flavor! This dish is a lifesaver on busy weeknights and a surefire hit with picky eaters. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to sneak in some veggies!
This delicious dish is a spin on our cheesy hamburger rice casserole. While both recipes might sound similar, they’re actually quite different.
The ranch ground beef and rice features blanched broccoli, adding extra nutrients and a bit of bulk. Unlike the Tex-Mex flavors of the casserole, this dish is all about that irresistible ranch flavor.
Now, let’s talk about the cheese. Sharp cheddar cheese, to be exact.
It melts beautifully over the beef, rice, and broccoli, creating an ooey, gooey layer of deliciousness that you won’t want to skip.
The combination of ranch seasoning with the savory ground beef and the slight crunch of broccoli is pretty much perfect.
Tips for Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice
Tips
Prep in Advance: Pre-cook your rice and blanch your broccoli ahead of time. This will make the final cooking process even quicker making this dish perfect for those busy weeknights.
Blanching the Broccoli: To achieve perfectly blanched broccoli, ensure the water is at a rolling boil before adding the florets. Shocking them in ice water after boiling keeps them bright green and crisp-tender.
Room Temperature Sour Cream: Use sour cream at room temperature to prevent it from curdling when added to the hot skillet.
Oven-Safe Pan: If you have an oven-safe skillet, use it! That way when you add the cheese, you can just pop the skillet into a hot oven for a couple of minutes and let the cheese melt.
What to Serve this With:
This dish is packed with protein and carbs, making it a complete meal on its own. But if you’re looking to round it out with a delicious side, I’ve got some fantastic recommendations for you:
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
More Ground Beef Recipes to Try
Ingredients
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 ounce packet ranch seasoning mix
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 4 ounces sour cream, room temperature
- 1 ½ cups long grain white rice, cooked
- 1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil, and add the broccoli florets. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until they turn bright green and soften slightly. Drain and set aside.2 cups broccoli florets
- In a large skillet (use one with a lid) over medium heat, cook the ground beef until no longer pink. Drain excess grease and return the beef to the skillet.1 pound lean ground beef
- Lower the heat to low-medium and add the ranch seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and sour cream. Stir to combine.1 ounce packet ranch seasoning mix1 teaspoon garlic powder½ teaspoon onion powder4 ounces sour cream
- Add the blanched broccoli and white rice, and stir until well combined. Remove from heat.1 ½ cups long grain white rice
- Top with cheese, add a lid to the skillet and allow the cheese to melt (about 3-5 minutes).1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese
- Serve immediately.