High-Protein Cheesy Beef & Rice Skillet Meal Prep

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
• 700 g lean ground beef
• 1 brown or yellow onion, finely diced
• 1 red capsicum or bell pepper, finely diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tsp (5 g) smoked paprika
• 1 tsp (2 g) ground cumin
• 1 tsp (2 g) garlic powder
• 1 tsp (2 g) onion powder
• 1 tsp (1 g) dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp (1 g) cayenne pepper
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) tomato paste
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) Worcestershire sauce
• 300 g uncooked long-grain rice
• 600 ml beef stock
• 1 x 400 g can crushed tomatoes
• 30 g unsalted butter
• 200 g shredded cheddar or Mexican-style cheese blend
• Salt, to taste
• Ground black pepper, to taste
• Fresh coriander, optional, to serve
• Pickled jalapeños, optional, to serve
• Sour cream, optional, to serve
• Hot sauce, optional, to serve

Method

1. Heat olive oil in a large deep pan over high heat.
2. Add the ground beef, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned and caramelised.
3. Add the onion, capsicum, and garlic. Cook for 3 minutes until softened.
4. Add smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and cayenne pepper. Stir through, then add tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
5. Add Worcestershire sauce and uncooked rice. Stir well and cook for 1 minute.
6. Pour in beef stock and crushed tomatoes. Stir, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low.
7. Cover with a lid and cook for 15 minutes.
8. Remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes with the lid on.
9. Remove the lid and stir through butter and half the cheese until melted.
10. Divide between 5 meal prep containers. Top with remaining cheese and melt before serving or reheating.
11. Finish with coriander, spring onions, jalapeños, sour cream, and hot sauce.