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Spinach and Ground Meat Rice Skillet
Easy spinach and ground meat rice skillet—ready in 40 minutes total. Simple pantry ingredients and one pan for quick weeknight dinners.
Why this recipe works
This Spinach and Ground Meat Rice Skillet is a straightforward one-pan meal combining rice, seasoned ground meat, and leafy spinach. It's suited to busy cooks who want a quick, hearty dinner with minimal cleanup.
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- one pan rice recipe
- quick weeknight skillet dinner
- easy ground beef spinach rice
- 30 minute rice skillet
Key takeaways
One pan, about 40 minutes total.
Flexible—swap proteins or add aromatics.
Adjust liquid for brown rice or frozen spinach.
Recipe guide
This Spinach and Ground Meat Rice Skillet is a straightforward one-pan meal combining rice, seasoned ground meat, and leafy spinach. It's suited to busy cooks who want a quick, hearty dinner with minimal cleanup.
One-pan dinner that cooks in 25 minutes after a short prep.
- One pan, about 40 minutes total.
- Flexible—swap proteins or add aromatics.
- Adjust liquid for brown rice or frozen spinach.
Ingredients & timing
Makes 3–4 servings. Prep 15 min, Cook 25 min. Ingredients: 1 cup rice, 2 cups water, 2 tbsp oil, 400 g ground meat (beef, pork, or turkey), 200 g spinach (fresh or thawed frozen), 1 tsp salt. Optional: pepper, garlic, onion, or stock cube for more flavor.
Step-by-step cooking
1) Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. 2) Add ground meat and brown, breaking up lumps, 5–7 min. Season with salt (and pepper/garlic/onion if using). 3) Push meat to the side, add rice and toast 1–2 min then add 2 cups water (or stock). Stir to combine. 4) Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 15–18 min until rice absorbs liquid. 5) Stir in spinach, cover 2–3 min until wilted and heated through. Fluff and adjust seasoning before serving.
Quick tips & variations
Use long-grain rice or adjust water/time for different rice types. For extra flavor, sauté onion and garlic with the meat or use 1 cup water + 1 cup stock. If spinach is frozen, thaw and squeeze out excess water first. Finish with a squeeze of lemon or grated cheese if desired.
Ingredients
- 1 cup rice
- 2 cups water
- 2 tbsp oil
- 400 g ground meat
- 200 g spinach
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
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FAQs
Can I use brown rice?
Yes—use the package water ratio and increase simmer time (usually 35–45 min) until tender.
How do I prevent the rice from sticking?
Use a well-heated skillet, enough oil, and avoid stirring during simmer; keep heat low and use a tight-fitting lid.
Can I make this ahead and reheat?
Yes—store in the fridge up to 3 days. Reheat gently with a splash of water or stock to loosen the rice.