Tasty Texas Hash Skillet

This one-pan Texas Hash brings together juicy ground beef, fluffy rice, crunchy veggies, and aromatic spices for a filling dinner that's perfect when you're short on time. You'll only spend about 15 minutes getting things ready, then your oven handles the rest, delivering big taste without much work. I stumbled upon this dish when looking for quick skillet dinners and couldn't believe how basic ingredients came together for such a tasty meal.

The other day, I made this for my husband who usually turns his nose up at 'combined' dishes, and he actually came back for more! What's the trick? The flavors blend perfectly while each ingredient keeps its own texture, so nothing turns mushy when mixed together.

Key Ingredients and Smart Shopping Advice

• Ground Beef: Pick 85% lean for the richest taste without too much fat
• Rice: Go with regular long grain (not quick-cook) as it soaks up flavors better
• Tomatoes: Keep all the juice to cook your rice properly; no draining needed
• Green Pepper: Brings brightness and pop of color; thawed frozen ones work too
• Chili Powder: Adds gentle heat without making the dish too spicy

Something wonderful happens when the rice soaks up all those tasty juices from the meat and tomatoes while baking. You end up with a dish that's just right—moist but never soggy.

Simple Step-by-Step Cooking Method

Step 1: Cook Meat with Veggies

Put ground beef, chopped onion, and green pepper into a large 12" cast iron skillet over medium heat. This saves time by softening the veggies while they soak up meaty flavors. Keep cooking until you don't see any pink in the beef and the veggies start getting soft.

Step 2: Remove Extra Fat

Tip the skillet to pour off any excess grease. This keeps your meal from being too oily and helps the rice cook better.

Step 3: Combine Everything Else

Mix in the tomatoes with their juice, raw rice, chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, crushed garlic, salt, and pepper. Stir well so all the flavors get evenly spread throughout.

Step 4: Get Ready to Bake

Put a tight-fitting oven-safe lid or some aluminum foil over your skillet. Getting a good seal is important because the steam inside will cook your rice.

Step 5: Bake Until Done

Pop the covered skillet into your 375°F preheated oven for about 35-45 minutes. The rice should soak up most of the liquid and get soft. Some types of rice might take a bit longer or shorter.

Step 6: Add Cheese Topping

Take it out and gently stir with a fork to separate the rice. Scatter shredded cheddar across the top while everything's still hot.

Step 7: Melt the Cheese

The dish will be hot enough to melt the cheese on its own. If you want it more melty, put it back in the oven uncovered for a couple minutes.

Step 8: Let it Sit

Give your casserole about 5 minutes to rest before digging in. This helps the flavors come together and makes serving easier.

Step 9: Time to Eat

Dish it straight from the skillet for a homey touch or move it to a serving plate.

Step 10: Save What's Left

Put any leftover Texas Hash in a sealed container in your fridge for up to 3 days. It warms up great in the microwave.

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The first time I made this, some of my rice turned out crunchy because I didn't cover the pan well enough. Trust me, getting that tight cover with foil or a lid is the key to getting perfectly soft rice.

Wallet-Friendly Dinner Ideas

This Texas Hash shows how budget cooking should be done, running under $10 for a whole meal that feeds five people well. The ground beef goes much further when you mix it with rice and veggies, helping your grocery money stretch. You probably already have most ingredients in your kitchen, and they often go on sale so you can stock up when they're cheap. One pan gives you enough for dinner plus next-day lunch that actually tastes even better after sitting overnight.

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Kid-Friendly Dinner Solutions

When cooking for folks with different tastes, this dish changes easily to make everyone happy. For those who love heat, throw in more chili powder or some chopped jalapeños. If you've got people who hate veggies, chop the peppers and onions super small so they blend right in. My kids started eating this when I let them top it their own way with sour cream, extra cheese, or some crunchy tortilla chips on top.

Year-Round Veggie Options

This flexible dish works great with whatever produce you can get your hands on throughout the year. In summer, toss in garden-fresh tomatoes and peppers. During fall, try mixing in some diced butternut squash with your peppers. Winter meals work perfectly with canned tomatoes and frozen peppers. When spring arrives, stir in some fresh peas just before serving. Changing things up keeps this meal exciting all year while using what's in season.

Prep Ahead and Freezer Strategies

For those crazy weeknights, you can get a head start on Texas Hash. Cook the meat and veggies, then stick them in the fridge up to a day before finishing the recipe. Or make the whole thing, let it cool down completely, then split it into freezer containers for up to three months. Thaw in your fridge overnight and warm it up covered in a 350°F oven for about 20-25 minutes until it's hot throughout.

Expert Cooking Tricks

• Try adding a teaspoon of smoked paprika with your chili powder for richer taste
• Use beef broth instead of water if you want more flavor
• A little hot sauce in the mix gives nice background warmth without too much heat
• Let your beef get really brown before stirring to build extra flavor
• If you don't have cast iron, think about moving everything to a baking dish for even cooking

I figured out these little tweaks after making this dish many times. The smoked paprika trick especially made a huge difference, giving the meal more depth without changing what makes it great.

This simple skillet dinner has become one of my most trusted recipes when I need something filling without spending forever in the kitchen. Having protein, carbs, and veggies all in one pan makes it perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends when you want something that feels like a hug.

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This Texas Hash shows that tasty, filling meals don't need fancy cooking skills or weird ingredients. Just put things together thoughtfully and let simple flavors do their magic.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I swap white rice for brown rice?

Sure, brown rice works fine, but you'll need to cook it about 15-20 minutes longer and maybe add another 1/4 cup of liquid since brown rice takes more time and moisture to cook properly.

→ Is it okay to use ground turkey instead of beef?

Definitely! Ground turkey, chicken, or even meat alternatives work great in this dish. Just know that if you go with leaner meats, your meal might not taste quite as rich.

→ How do I turn up the heat in this dish?

You can make it hotter by throwing in extra chili powder, mixing in a chopped jalapeño with your bell pepper, splashing in some hot sauce, or adding a bit of cayenne pepper.

→ Can I throw in other veggies with this recipe?

For sure! Try adding corn, chopped zucchini, or black beans. Mix corn or beans in when you add tomatoes; put zucchini in with your onions and peppers.

→ Can I get this ready beforehand?

You can prep everything through step 2, then stick it in the fridge. When you're ready to bake, you might need to pour in a little more liquid and let it cook 5-10 minutes longer.