I once stitched together dinner while chatting with my former colleague Ms. Ramirez during a Saturday cleanup at the local community garden. We were hauling compost and talking about making meals that feel hearty but don’t require hours in the kitchen.
After hauling wheelbarrows all morning, I returned home craving something rich and satisfying but still easy to make. That spark led me to invent this skillet dish—melding savory ground beef, crisp bacon, tangy condiments, and fluffy rice into one comforting pan.
While stirring it over the stove, the aroma reminded me of lunchtime in the teachers’ lounge—warm, familiar, and instantly mood-lifting. One bite, and my husband joked I could open a diner.
Now, on busy evenings or leftovers night, this skillet resurfaces—quick enough for weeknights but delicious enough for the weekend.
Short Description
A hearty one-pan dish combining seasoned ground beef, bacon, tomato-rice base, and melted cheddar in a skillet—quick, cozy, and full of savory flavor.
Key Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
- 1 cup cooked bacon, chopped
- ½ medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 Tbsp fresh garlic, minced
- 1 tsp seasoned salt
- 8 oz tomato sauce
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 1 Tbsp yellow mustard
- 2 cups instant rice
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Tools Needed
- Large heavy skillet (at least 12-inch)
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cheese grater
Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Cook Beef & Onion
Heat skillet over medium-high. Add ground beef and diced onion; cook 6–8 minutes until beef is no longer pink and onions are softened. Break meat evenly.
Step 2: Add Garlic & Season
Stir in minced garlic; cook 1 minute until fragrant. Drain excess grease. Sprinkle seasoned salt over mixture.
Step 3: Build the Base
Add tomato sauce, ketchup, yellow mustard, instant rice, and beef broth. Stir until combined.
Step 4: Simmer Rice
Bring to a gentle simmer. Cook 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until rice absorbs broth and becomes tender.
Step 5: Mix in Cheese & Bacon
Remove from heat. Stir in ½ cup shredded cheddar and ½ cup chopped bacon until cheese melts into rice.
Step 6: Finish Layer & Steam
Top with remaining cheese and bacon. Cover skillet and let rest 2–3 minutes so steam melts the cheese.
Step 7: Serve Hot
Remove lid and serve immediately—warm, cheesy, and comforting.
Troubleshooting Tip
If rice is undercooked or dry, add ¼ cup more broth and cover to steam an extra minute or two. If too wet, cook a bit longer uncovered.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Flavor Explosion: Bold beef and smoky bacon marry with tangy tomato base and melted cheddar.
Quick & Easy: From start to finish in about 20 minutes, with rice already prepped.
All-in-One Convenience: Protein, starch, and veg, or can add sides, make this ideal for busy evenings.
Kid-Friendly Comfort: Familiar flavors that appeal to pickier eaters, but adults will love the richness too.
Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions
Rice undercooked or mushy: Avoid skipping the simmer step. If too firm, add a splash more broth. If soggy, let it rest uncovered to evaporate excess liquid.
Dry or bland beef: Don’t skip the garlic and seasoned salt—they bring vital steakhouse flavor.
Cheese not melting fully: Stir while still hot and allow the covered rest period, steam is key to melting that top layer.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
Serve straight from skillet for a homey, family-style feel.
Pair with crisp garden salad or steamed greens for balance.
Goes well with pickles or tangy coleslaw to cut richness.
Great potluck dish, serve in the skillet or transfer to a casserole as needed.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Storage: Cool completely, then store in airtight container in refrigerator up to 3 days.
Reheating: Reheat over low-medium heat in skillet or microwave, adding a splash of broth if needed to loosen before reheating.
Freezing: Once cooled, freeze in freezer-safe container up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in fridge before reheating.
FAQs
1. Can I substitute white rice with brown rice?
Yes, but use precooked or adjust cooking time and liquid, brown rice takes much longer to cook.
2. Can I make this vegetarian?
Swap ground beef with plant-based crumbles, use vegetable broth instead of beef. Stir in crispy tempeh bacon for smoky flavor.
3. What if I don’t have instant rice?
Use long-grain white rice—pre-cook half the required rice, then reduce broth and simmer with meat until tender.
4. Can I prep this ahead?
Yes, prepare the meat sauce ahead and refrigerate. Add rice and broth when ready to finish cooking.
5. Is it possible to reduce fat?
Use leaner beef (90/10) and turkey bacon. Use half the cheese or a lower-fat cheddar.
Tips & Tricks
Cook bacon ahead in batches and freeze for quick use in other meals.
Stirring in half the cheese early adds richness; saving the rest on top ensures a melty cheesy crust.
Using firm instant rice keeps texture from turning mushy.
Taste and adjust mustard or ketchup amounts to suit tang preference.
Recipe Variations
Spicy Kick: Stir in chopped jalapeños and a bit of hot sauce. Adjust seasoned salt to include cayenne.
Tex‑Mex Version: Use taco seasoning in place of seasoned salt, swap tomato sauce for salsa, top with pepper jack cheese and chopped cilantro.
Veggie-Loaded: Stir in frozen peas and diced bell peppers during the simmer for added color and nutrition.
Final Thoughts
I often think back to that morning in the community garden with Ms. Ramirez—sweaty, laughing, and planning dinner from scraps in the pantry. That memory is woven into this skillet recipe now, comforting and practical. Each time I lift the lid and steam fog drifts upward, it feels like a little reward after a long day.
The melty cheese on top, the sweet tang of tomato and mustard, and salty bacon create layers of flavor that feel unexpectedly special. Serving it up feels like offering a warm invitation: take a seat, refill your plate, share the day.
Quick Bacon Cheeseburger Rice Skillet
Print ThisIngredients
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
- 1 cup cooked bacon, chopped
- ½ medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 Tbsp fresh garlic, minced
- 1 tsp seasoned salt
- 8 oz tomato sauce
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 1 Tbsp yellow mustard
- 2 cups instant rice
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
Step 1: Brown Beef and Onion
Cook ground beef and diced onion in a skillet over medium-high heat for 6–8 minutes until browned and softened.
Step 2: Add Garlic and Seasoning
Stir in garlic, cook 1 minute. Drain grease. Season with seasoned salt.
Step 3: Add Sauce and Rice
Add tomato sauce, ketchup, mustard, instant rice, and beef broth. Stir to combine.
Step 4: Simmer Until Tender
Simmer 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender.
Step 5: Stir in Cheese and Bacon
Remove from heat. Mix in ½ cup cheese and ½ cup bacon until melted.
Step 6: Top and Steam
Sprinkle remaining cheese and bacon on top. Cover and let sit 2–3 minutes.
Step 7: Serve
Uncover and serve hot.
