Description
This Ground Beef and Rice recipe is a flavorful, comforting one-pot meal combining tender ground beef, aromatic spices, basmati rice, and protein-packed chickpeas. Perfect for a hearty family dinner, it’s seasoned with a warm blend of 7 Spice and cinnamon, and topped with fresh parsley and toasted pine nuts for added texture and taste. Ready in just 35 minutes, it’s a satisfying dish that’s both easy to prepare and delicious.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 tablespoon 7 Spice seasoning
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup basmati rice, rinsed and drained
- 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 1 ½ cups water
For Serving
- Fresh chopped parsley
- Toasted pine nuts
Instructions
- Heat and cook beef and onions: In a large pot over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add the chopped onions and ground beef, then season with 7 Spice, cinnamon, salt, and black pepper. Cook for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions soften and the beef is browned.
- Add rice and chickpeas: Stir in the rinsed basmati rice and drained chickpeas, mixing well to combine all ingredients evenly in the pot.
- Cook the rice: Pour the water over the mixture and stir gently. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and let it cook undisturbed for 15 minutes, allowing the rice to absorb the liquid and cook through.
- Steam the rice: Remove the pot from heat but keep it covered. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes to allow the steam to finish cooking the rice perfectly.
- Fluff and serve: Uncover the pot and fluff the rice gently with a fork. Sprinkle the dish with fresh chopped parsley and toasted pine nuts before serving warm to enjoy a delightful mix of textures and flavors.
Notes
- Rinse and drain the basmati rice well to remove excess starch for fluffy rice.
- Use lean ground beef to reduce fat content and keep the dish light.
- Adjust the seasoning to taste, especially the salt and 7 Spice blend according to your preference.
- Make sure the pot has a tight-fitting lid to trap steam for perfectly cooked rice.
- To toast pine nuts, simply heat them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently until golden and fragrant.
