Dirty Rice with Ground Beef

Total Time Prep/Total Time: 30 min.

Yield 4 servings

Dirty rice with ground beef is a departure from the typical chicken liver-centric version, but it's just as tasty. This recipe also cooks in just 30 minutes, quick enough for an improvised weeknight meal.

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean)
3 celery ribs, chopped
1 small green pepper, chopped
1 small sweet red pepper, chopped
1/4 cup chopped onion
2 cups water
1 cup instant brown rice
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons reduced-sodium beef bouillon granules
1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

Directions

In a large skillet, cook beef, celery, green and red peppers, and onion over medium heat until beef is no longer pink, 8-10 minutes; crumble beef; drain.
Stir in remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until rice is tender, 12-15 minutes.

Nutrition Facts

1-1/2 cups: 291 calories, 10g fat (4g saturated fat), 71mg cholesterol, 422mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 25g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 starch, 1 vegetable.

Dirty rice from a restaurant or box can end up having a surprisingly high amount of sodium and fat. This fast recipe is a hearty, healthy way to trim it down. —Raquel Haggard, Edmond, Oklahoma

Recipe Creator