By Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff | Published on June 12, 2026
Serves 1
999 cal · 40 min
Lean Ground Beef Over Rice
Recipe GLPRfe544107ebdbb7
A simple and wholesome one-bowl meal featuring seasoned lean ground beef in tomato sauce served over fluffy brown rice, finished with fresh basil. This dish is naturally high in fiber, protein, and satisfying enough for a complete dinner.
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Ingredients
1 1/2 cups brown rice
6 ounces lean ground beef
1 (14-ounce) jar tomato sauce
2 tablespoons fresh chopped basil
Salt to taste
Black pepper to taste
Directions
Rinse the brown rice under cold water. In a medium pot, bring water to a boil according to package directions (typically 3 cups water per 1 1/2 cups rice). Add the rinsed rice, stir once, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for approximately 30 minutes until the rice is tender and all liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes.
While the rice cooks, place the lean ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook for about 5 minutes, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks, until the beef is no longer pink and reaches an internal temperature of 160°F. Drain any excess fat if desired.
Season the cooked ground beef with salt and black pepper to taste. Pour the entire jar of tomato sauce into the skillet with the beef and stir to combine. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce is heated through.
Transfer the cooked rice to a serving bowl. Top with the ground beef and tomato sauce mixture. Garnish generously with the fresh chopped basil and serve immediately.
Comments
This is a solid weeknight single serving, but the 40-minute stated time is optimistic—brown rice alone needs 45 minutes, so plan for closer to an hour if you're cooking from scratch. Ingredient costs run low (ground beef, rice, tomato sauce, and basil are all staple finds at any Charlotte chain like Harris Teeter or Food Lion), making this budget-friendly at roughly $3 to $4 per serving depending on beef quality. The dish works well and reheats nicely, though it's a one-plate meal that won't stretch to feed a family. For a single person cooking ahead or looking for a simple, affordable dinner, this delivers without fuss—just set a realistic timer and account for the rice cook time.
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