Wednesday nights in our house are pure chaos. One kid has piano, the other soccer, and somehow I always forget to defrost whatever meat I had “planned” for dinner. So last week, standing in front of the fridge with zero inspiration and a family that was 20 minutes away from full-blown hangry mode, I had to get creative.
I spotted some ground beef, leftover bacon from breakfast, and a half-used bag of shredded cheddar. Rice? Check. A little ketchup and mustard? Double check. And that’s how this Bacon Cheeseburger Rice Skillet was born—by accident, under pressure, and fueled by desperation.
I threw everything into one skillet and hoped for the best. What came out was a cheesy, beefy, bacon-studded miracle. It smelled like a cheeseburger stand and tasted even better. My husband asked if I followed a recipe. I told him I winged it—and he looked at me like I deserved a trophy.
We’ve now made it three times in two weeks, and it’s quickly becoming a regular. One skillet, full of flavor, and minimal cleanup? That’s what I call a mom win.
Short Description
This one-pan Bacon Cheeseburger Rice Skillet delivers all the flavors of a loaded burger—beef, bacon, cheese, ketchup, and mustard—combined with tender rice for a fast, comforting meal the whole family will love.
Key Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend)
- 1 cup cooked bacon, chopped
- 1/2 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon fresh garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 2 cups instant rice
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Tools Needed
- Large skillet with lid
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Knife and cutting board
Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Cook Beef and Onion
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground beef and onion for 6–8 minutes until browned. Break up meat as it cooks.
Step 2: Add Garlic and Seasoning
Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute. Drain any grease. Add seasoned salt and stir to coat.
Step 3: Stir in Liquids and Rice
Pour in tomato sauce, ketchup, mustard, rice, and beef broth. Mix well.
Step 4: Simmer Until Tender
Bring to a simmer. Cook 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until rice is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
Step 5: Stir in Cheese and Bacon
Remove from heat. Mix in 1/2 cup cheese and 1/2 cup bacon until melted.
Step 6: Top and Cover
Sprinkle remaining cheese and bacon on top. Cover for 2–3 minutes to melt.
Step 7: Serve
Uncover and serve hot. Add extra ketchup or pickles if you’d like!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Flavor Explosion: All the comfort of a bacon cheeseburger in every bite.
Quick and Easy: One skillet and dinner’s done in 30 minutes.
Family Favorite: Kid-approved and husband-devoured.
One-Pan Wonder: Less mess, less cleanup.
Customizable: Add heat, veggies, or different cheeses to switch it up.
Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions
Using uncooked rice: Instant rice is essential for timing.
Fix: Cook traditional rice separately if needed.
Too much liquid left: You may have simmered too low.
Fix: Cook uncovered for a few minutes longer.
Cheese clumping: Adding cheese while boiling can make it clump.
Fix: Remove from heat before stirring in cheese.
Rice sticking to skillet: Skillet may be too hot or dry.
Fix: Stir often and keep heat medium-low.
Bacon too soft: Add it last to preserve the crunch.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
Serve as a main with pickles on the side.
Pair with a crisp green salad or roasted veggies.
Great with sweet tea, root beer, or a cold lager.
Scoop into bowls or serve buffet-style from the skillet.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Reheat: Warm in a skillet with a splash of broth or water, or microwave in 1-minute bursts.
Freezer: Best eaten fresh, but can be frozen up to 1 month.
FAQs
1. Can I use ground turkey instead?
Yes! Just reduce the broth by 1/4 cup since turkey releases more moisture.
2. Can I prep this ahead of time?
Absolutely. Reheats beautifully for lunch the next day.
3. Is it spicy?
Nope, but feel free to add hot sauce or diced jalapeños if you like heat.
4. What cheese works best?
Sharp cheddar melts great and brings that “cheeseburger” taste. Pepper jack is fun, too.
5. Can I make it without bacon?
Sure, but it won’t be quite as smoky. Try smoked paprika instead for flavor.
Tips & Tricks
Let the dish sit covered for a few minutes—makes the cheese extra melty.
Use a wide skillet so the rice cooks evenly.
Dice the onion small so it blends into the mix and doesn’t overwhelm.
Want extra crunch? Top with fried onions before serving.
Recipe Variations
Tex-Mex Style
- Add 1/2 tsp chili powder and swap ketchup for salsa
- Use Mexican blend cheese
- Top with sour cream and crushed tortilla chips
BBQ Cheeseburger
- Use BBQ sauce in place of ketchup and mustard
- Add a few drops of liquid smoke
- Use smoked cheddar
Low-Carb Version
- Swap rice for riced cauliflower (cooked separately)
- Reduce broth to 1/2 cup
- Stir everything together at the end
Veggie Boost
- Add bell peppers, mushrooms, or peas
- Cook with the onions and beef
Final Thoughts
This dish started as a last-minute dinner rescue and turned into one of the most requested meals in our home. It checks every box: fast, hearty, cheesy, and full of that comforting burger flavor we all secretly (or not-so-secretly) crave. I love that I can throw it together with pantry staples and leftovers, and still feel like I’m serving something special.
Even better, it’s flexible enough to make your own. Add spice, throw in veggies, or swap the cheese, whatever fits your mood. The whole thing comes together in one skillet, which keeps my kitchen cleaner and my weeknights smoother.
And let’s be honest, watching your kids go back for seconds without a single complaint? That’s the kind of dinner magic we all need more of.
Bacon Cheeseburger Rice Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef 80/20 blend
- 1 cup cooked bacon chopped
- ½ medium yellow onion diced
- 1 tablespoon fresh garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 2 cups instant rice
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
- Cook ground beef and onion in a skillet over medium-high heat for 6–8 minutes until browned.
- Stir in garlic for 1 minute. Drain grease and add seasoned salt.
- Pour in tomato sauce, ketchup, mustard, rice, and broth. Stir well.
- Simmer for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until rice is soft and liquid is mostly gone.
- Remove from heat. Stir in 1/2 cup cheese and 1/2 cup bacon.
- Add remaining cheese and bacon on top. Cover for 2–3 minutes to melt.
- Uncover and serve warm. Add extra toppings if you like!
