Spanish Rice Recipe – Spanish Rice is a well-loved side dish. But this family favorite Spanish Rice with Beef recipe is a delicious main dish ready in under 30 minutes!
Looking for more easy ground beef recipes? I think you’ll love my Classic Chili, Lasagna, and Stuffed Peppers.
One of my favorite dishes to order when we go to our local Mexican restaurant is their Spanish rice. Well, along with the chips, salsa, queso dip, and guacamole! Ha!
Their Spanish rice though always just goes perfectly with whatever I order for my entree – from enchiladas to whatever their specials are for the day.
But, as much as I love their Spanish rice, it still doesn’t really compete with the version that my Mama has made since as long as I can remember. While theirs is served as a side dish, Mama’s was always the main attraction, served with a salad or beans.
Her Spanish rice is made with ground beef that takes it to a whole new level!
I love that it comes together in less than thirty minutes and just takes one skillet to prepare. We also love to prepare this for a camp style meal as well. No wonder Mama loved making this recipe so much! It’s an all-around favorite for sure!
Spanish Rice Recipe
How to Freeze Spanish Rice
Once cooked, allow to cool completely. Portion into freezer-safe container(s) and freeze up to 3 months.
To serve, thaw in the refrigerator overnight, reheat and serve.
Here’s her Spanish Rice Recipe with Ground Beef. So simple, I think you’ll love it, too!
Skillet Spanish Rice with Ground Beef Recipe
Ingredients
- 3/4 pound ground beef
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 medium onion, diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 3/4 cup uncooked white rice
- 1/4 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chiles
Instructions
- Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently. Drain and set aside.
- Drizzle olive oil into the skillet over medium heat. Saute onions until softened, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and rice, stirring frequently until rice is lightly browned. Add ground beef, oregano, chili powder, cumin, salt, black pepper, water, and tomatoes. Bring to a boil. Turn heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes or until all liquid is absorbed.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Enjoy!
Robyn xo
I have been making and loving this recipe for I think 7 years now. It is delicious, easy to make, budget friendly, the ingredients are easy to get… I could go on. It’s just the perfect recipe.
I always throw a can of black beans in there too and serve it with cheese on top for a Mexican twist. I’ve made it with chicken too and it was great.
Eva, I am thrilled that you love this recipe. I’ve loved it ever since I was a little girl and my mother made it for us. It sounds great with the black beans and cheese, too.
Delicious & quick. Followed recipe exactly except added cubed zucchini cause it’s that season. Made a large amount (3 meals for 3 of us) maybe due to the zucchini. Will definitely make again.
Cheryl, I’ll have to try this with zucchini. Thanks for the tip.
This recipe taste great and quick to make! I’ve even used ground sausage in place of the ground beef and added green peppers. Thanks for the recipe!
Thanks, Pam. I bet this was good with the sausage and peppers.
Love this recipe!! Great taste & easy to prepare!!
Thank you for sharing this recipe. It reminds me of the Spanish Rice my mom used to make many, many years ago. I will be making this recipe. It sounds delicious! 💖
Terri, this is the way my mother made it for us when I was little. I hope you enjoy.