Hearty Portuguese Rice: A Flavorful Easy Recipes for Dinner

What to Expect in This Guide

Hello and welcome! I’m Betty from Betty Cooks, where I focus on creating flavorful, family-friendly meals that fit into busy lives. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about making a fantastic Portuguese Rice dish.

• Table of Contents
• Key Takeaways
• Why This Dish Became My Go-To
• The Secret Is in the Sofrito
• Why It Works for Weeknight Dinners
• Customize It for Your Family
• Tips for Perfect Texture Every Time
• The Final Touch That Makes a Difference
• Portuguese Rice Recipe Outline
• Notes and Tips

Key Takeaways

Portuguese Rice is a savory, one-pan wonder that transforms simple pantry staples into a comforting and complete meal. It combines seasoned ground beef with rice and vegetables, all cooked together for maximum flavor and minimal cleanup. This recipe is incredibly adaptable, making it a perfect foundation for countless easy dinner recipes.

Why This Dish Became My Go-To

When you’re searching for truly satisfying easy dinner recipes, you need a dish that’s both nourishing and straightforward. That’s exactly what Portuguese Rice delivers. I discovered this recipe during a particularly hectic week and it quickly earned a permanent spot in my rotation. It’s the kind of meal that fills your kitchen with an inviting aroma and leaves everyone at the table happy. The best part? It’s one of those easy dinner recipes that feels special without requiring special effort.

The Secret Is in the Sofrito

Don’t let the fancy name fool you; a sofrito is simply a flavorful base of sautéed onions, peppers, and garlic. In this Portuguese-inspired version, it’s the soul of the dish. Cooking these aromatics slowly in olive oil until they’re sweet and soft builds a depth of flavor that infuses the entire pot. This step is non-negotiable for creating a rich foundation that makes this more than just rice with meat—it’s a savory ground beef recipe with incredible character.

Why It Works for Weeknight Dinners

This recipe is a champion of efficiency. From start to finish, you can have a hearty meal on the table in well under an hour, which is the hallmark of great easy dinner recipes. Everything cooks in one pot, meaning fewer dishes to wash. It’s also incredibly forgiving. The ingredients are pantry-friendly and flexible, allowing you to adapt based on what you have. Whether you’re planning ahead or pulling together a last-minute meal, this dish is a reliable solution for those busy evenings when you need a delicious family meal fast.

Customize It for Your Family

One of the joys of this dish is how easily it adapts to different tastes. Not a fan of peas? Try corn or chopped green beans. Want to spice it up? A pinch of red pepper flakes with the paprika works wonders. You can even swap the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version. This flexibility makes it an excellent base for creating your own signature quick and easy dinner recipes.

Tips for Perfect Texture Every Time

The key to perfect, fluffy rice in this dish is patience. Once you add the broth and rice and bring it to a simmer, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it work its magic. Resist the urge to lift the lid and stir—this lets out steam and can make the rice gummy. Trust the process, and you’ll be rewarded with perfectly separate, tender grains every time, a crucial tip for mastering dinner recipes with ground beef that include rice.

The Final Touch That Makes a Difference

Just before serving, I always stir in a generous handful of fresh, chopped parsley. It might seem like a small detail, but that pop of green adds a vibrant freshness that brightens the entire dish. It’s a simple garnish, but it elevates the presentation and flavor, turning a humble pot of rice into a meal that looks as good as it tastes. It’s these little touches that transform a simple recipe into one of your favorite ground beef recipes for dinner.

Notes and Tips

Make It Ahead: This dish reheats beautifully. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of broth or water to prevent drying.
Spice It Up: For a smoky kick, use hot smoked paprika instead of regular.
Vegetable Swap: Feel free to add diced carrots with the onions or stir in a handful of spinach at the end.
Broth vs. Water: Using low-sodium chicken broth instead of water adds a wonderful layer of savory flavor to the rice.

Hearty Portuguese Rice: A Flavorful Easy Recipes for Dinner

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time25 minutes mins

Total Time40 minutes mins

Cuisine: Portuguese

Keywords: Portuguese Rice, easy dinner recipes, ground beef recipes, family meals, savory rice, weeknight meals, comforting dinner

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

For the Rice

• 1 ½ cups long-grain white rice
• 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth or water
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

For the Sofrito and Meat

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste

For Finishing

• ½ cup frozen peas
• ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Base

1. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat.
2. Add the onion and bell pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
3. Add the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

Step 2: Brown the Beef

1. Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon.
2. Cook until the beef is no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.
3. Season with smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper.

Step 3: Simmer the Sauce

1. Stir in the diced tomatoes (with their juices) and tomato paste until well combined.
2. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it cook for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 4: Cook the Rice

1. Stir in the rice and chicken broth.
2. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low.
3. Cover the skillet and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
4. Avoid stirring during this time to prevent the rice from becoming mushy.

Step 5: Finish and Serve

1. Once the rice is cooked, turn off the heat.
2. Stir in the frozen peas, cover the skillet again, and let it sit for 5 minutes to allow the residual heat to cook the peas.
3. Fluff the rice with a fork, stir in the chopped parsley, and serve warm.

Notes

• For a richer flavor, you can use hot smoked paprika. • This dish is excellent for meal prep. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and reheat with a splash of broth. • Feel free to add other vegetables like diced carrots or corn.