Slow Cooker Ground Beef

 

# Slow Cooker Ground Beef and Rice Comfort Meal

**Hearty, Easy, and Budget-Friendly**

This Slow Cooker Ground Beef and Rice Comfort Meal is a simple one-pot dinner made with pantry staples. The rice cooks slowly in savory broth while the ground beef becomes tender and flavorful, creating a warm, satisfying meal that's perfect for busy weeknights.

## Prep Time

* 10 minutes

## Cook Time

* LOW: 4–5 hours

* HIGH: 2–3 hours

## Total Time

* 4–5 hours

## Servings

* 6 servings

## Ingredients

* 1 pound (450 g) lean ground beef

* 1 cup uncooked white rice

* 2 cups beef broth

* 1 small onion, finely chopped

* 1 can (10.5 oz / 300 g) cream of mushroom soup, cream of celery soup, or tomato soup

### Optional Seasonings

* 1 teaspoon garlic powder

* 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

* 1/2 teaspoon paprika

* Salt, to taste

### Optional Toppings

* Shredded cheddar cheese

* Chopped parsley

* Sliced green onions

## Instructions

### Step 1: Prepare the Slow Cooker

Lightly grease the slow cooker with cooking spray or a small amount of oil.

### Step 2: Combine Ingredients

Add the ground beef, uncooked rice, chopped onion, beef broth, and soup to the slow cooker.

If using seasonings, add them now.

### Step 3: Mix Well

Break up the ground beef with a spoon and stir everything together until evenly combined.

### Step 4: Cook

Cover and cook:

* **LOW:** 4–5 hours

* **HIGH:** 2–3 hours

The beef should be fully cooked and the rice tender.

### Step 5: Stir and Fluff

Remove the lid and stir gently. Break apart any large pieces of beef and fluff the rice with a fork.

If the mixture seems too thick, stir in a splash of warm broth.

### Step 6: Serve

Spoon into bowls and garnish with cheese, parsley, or green onions if desired.

## Easy Variations

### Cheesy Beef and Rice

Stir in:

* 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

during the last 15 minutes of cooking.

### Mexican Style

Add:

* 1 teaspoon chili powder

* 1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies

### Mushroom Version

Add:

* 1 cup sliced mushrooms

### Vegetable Boost

Add:

* 1 cup frozen peas

* 1 cup mixed vegetables

during the last hour of cooking.

## Storage

### Refrigerator

Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

### Freezer

Freeze portions for up to 2 months.

## Reheating

### Microwave

Heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval.

### Stovetop

Warm over medium-low heat with a splash of broth to restore moisture.

## Nutrition Information (Approximate Per Serving)

* Calories: 340

* Protein: 20g

* Carbohydrates: 28g

* Fat: 15g

* Saturated Fat: 5g

* Fiber: 1g

* Sodium: 650mg

## Tips for Success

✔ Use long-grain white rice for the best texture.

✔ Stir well before cooking to distribute ingredients evenly.

✔ Avoid opening the lid frequently during cooking.

✔ Add extra broth if the rice absorbs liquid too quickly.

✔ Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving for the best consistency.

This Slow Cooker Ground Beef 

and Rice Comfort Meal is the kind of simple, dependable recipe that turns basic ingredients into a hearty family dinner with almost no effort. 🍚🥩🥣