Spanish Rice with Ground Beef

We love a good rice casserole. They’re fast, versatile, easy to scale when feeding a crowd. They also make the absolute best leftovers. While family favorites like this chicken and rice casserole will never go out of style, Spanish rice with ground beef is a fun way to change up the protein and flavors.

Recipes that use a pound of ground beef will always save a busy weeknight, and this one happens to be packed with your favorite Tex-Mex spices. It’s also a useful way to get rid of leftover rice in your fridge.

Aside from being totally delicious, you’ll love this dish for its easy preparation and cleanup since it’s a single skillet recipe (unless you’re cooking the rice fresh, in which case you’ll have two pans). Additionally, this Spanish rice casserole is also easy to customize. Add extra veggies, toss in extra spices, change up the protein, or load up with your favorite taco-style toppings—whatever your heart desires. There aren’t many rules to follow when it comes to making this one-pan recipe. The only thing we can recommend is making a double batch because everyone is going to want a second helping.

Ingredients for Spanish Rice with Ground Beef

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• Ground beef: For this Spanish rice recipe with ground beef, we like to use 90% lean hamburger meat to prevent the recipe from tasting overly greasy and keep the casserole healthy.
• Onion: Aromatic onion infuses the rice casserole with a mild flavor. Our favorite types of onions for this recipe are everyday white or yellow onions.
• Bell peppers: While you can use any color bell peppers for this recipe, we often choose green peppers. Their green color offers a nice contrast to the red tomatoes, and they tend to have a stronger bite than red, orange or yellow bell peppers.
• Canned tomatoes: A can of diced tomatoes adds moisture, flavor and color to the recipe. We like to use no-salt-added diced tomatoes to better control the sodium content in the recipe.
• Tomato sauce: The tomato sauce absorbs all the flavors from the beef, spices and vegetables to make a tasty and simple sauce for the rice dish.
• Spices: Spanish rice with hamburger wouldn’t be much without the correct seasonings. A blend of cumin, chili powder, garlic powder and salt adds subtle spice and flavor.
• Brown rice: We love to use brown rice for its extra fiber and nutritional content. If you don’t like brown rice, you can use any type of rice you prefer. Try jasmine, basmati, or even swap for quinoa.
• Green onions: Use chopped green onions as a garnish for a splash of color and fresh flavor.

Directions

Step 1: Cook the beef and veggies

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In a large skillet, cook the beef (breaking it up into crumbles), onions and peppers over medium heat for six to eight minutes or until the beef is no longer pink and the onions are tender. Drain the excess liquid in the skillet.

Step 2: Make it saucy and serve

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Stir in the tomato sauce, canned tomatoes and seasonings, then bring it to a boil.

Editor’s Tip: Not all canned tomato products are created equal. For a more robust flavor, look for canned tomatoes packed in tomato puree rather than water. This will yield a thicker sauce.

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Add the cooked rice and heat through, stirring occasionally. Garnish with green onions, if desired, and serve warm.

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Recipe Variations

• Eat your veggies: This Spanish rice is the perfect vessel for getting in your veggie servings. Add grated zucchini or yellow squash, or try fresh corn kernels straight off the cob.
• Make it vegetarian: Omit the ground beef and instead opt for extra veggies, plant-based meat crumbles or a can of rinsed and drained black beans or pinto beans.
• Use a different meat: Instead of Spanish rice with hamburger, try swapping for ground chicken, ground turkey or ground chorizo sausage. You could even use leftover shredded chicken or slow-cooked carnitas, too.
• Change the herbs and spices: You can intensify the heat and flavor of this casserole recipe with other herbs and spices you enjoy. Ground coriander, paprika, onion powder, cayenne pepper, chipotle chili powder or fresh or dried oregano would all be excellent additions.
• Try different toppings: Treat Spanish rice with ground beef like a burrito bowl. You can load it up with anything you enjoy, including sour cream, shredded lettuce, cilantro, homemade guacamole, shredded Mexican cheese and your favorite homemade salsa.

How to Store Spanish Rice with Ground Beef

This Spanish rice recipe with ground beef makes excellent leftovers. Store in an airtight food storage container (or individual meal prep containers) and refrigerate for up to five days. To reheat, warm the dish in the microwave with a splash of water in a vented, microwave-safe container until heated through. You may also reheat it in a nonstick skillet over medium heat until heated through.

Can you freeze Spanish rice with ground beef?

Yes! Store in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to six months. To serve, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then reheat as directed above.

Spanish Rice with Ground Beef Tips

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What can you serve with Spanish rice with ground beef?

Because it has a starch and a protein, this dish can be served as a standalone meal. Just doctor it up with toppings, if desired, and enjoy. For a more filling meal, pair it with a batch of homemade tortillas, a skillet of this spicy jalapeño buttermilk cornbread or a few ears of grilled Mexican street corn.

How else can you use Spanish rice with ground beef?

Reinvent your leftovers by turning them into a giant tortilla for a fast and flavorful burrito recipe. If you’re heading to a gathering with friends to watch the game, you can also melt shredded cheese over the casserole and serve it with a big bowl of homemade air-fryer tortilla chips to dip and scoop.