Description
This Cajun Beef Rice is a bold and savory one-pan meal that brings the vibrant flavors of Louisiana straight to your dinner table. It combines hearty beef mince with the ‘holy trinity’ of Cajun cooking onion, celery, and green peppers all simmered together with zesty spices and fluffy rice for a satisfying, family-friendly dinner. Finished under the grill with a layer of melted cheese and fresh spring onions, this dish offers a perfect balance of smoky heat and creamy, comforting textures.
Ingredients
For the Cajun Beef Rice
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- 1.1 lb Beef mince
- 1 Onion, peeled and chopped
- 3 Garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
- 4 Celery sticks, cut into small chunks
- 3 Green peppers, cut into small chunks
- 4 tsp Cajun spice mix
- 7 oz Long grain rice
- 4 tbsp Tomato puree
- 3.5 cups Hot beef stock
- 3 oz Cheese, grated
To Serve
- 6 Spring onions (optional), chopped
Instructions
Step 1: Brown the Beef
Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large, deep frying pan. Add the beef mince and fry for about 5 minutes until it is thoroughly browned.
Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics
Add the chopped onion, crushed garlic, celery, green peppers, and Cajun spice mix to the pan. Cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are starting to soften and the spices are fragrant.
Step 3: Prepare the Rice
Rinse your long grain rice really well in a sieve until the water coming out is completely clear.
Step 4: Simmer
Add the rinsed rice to the pan along with the hot beef stock, tomato puree, salt, and pepper. Give everything a good stir to ensure the tomato puree is fully incorporated.
Step 5: Cook Through
Place the lid on the pan and cook for 15-20 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking, and continue until the rice has soaked up all the stock and is cooked through.
Step 6: Grill and Melt
Preheat your grill (broiler) to HIGH. Remove the lid from the pan, fluff the rice up with a fork, and sprinkle the grated cheese evenly over the top.
Step 7: The Final Touch
Place the pan under the grill for 3-5 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling. Sprinkle with chopped spring onions if using, and serve hot.
Notes
Rice Preparation: Rinsing the rice until the water runs clear is a non-negotiable step. It removes excess surface starch, which ensures the grains stay fluffy and light rather than becoming sticky or gummy in the pan.
The Flavor Bloom: Let the Cajun spice mix cook with the meat and vegetables for a full minute before adding the liquid. This blooms the spices in the oil, intensifying the smoky heat and aromatic profile of the dish.
Storage Tips: This recipe freezes beautifully for up to 2 months. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, and reheat with a small splash of beef stock to maintain the moisture of the rice.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet / One-Pan
- Cuisine: Cajun / Creole
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 485
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: cajun beef rice, one pan beef and rice, spicy beef skillet, louisiana style beef rice, easy cajun dinner, cheesy beef rice bake