Description
Bring the heart of the South to your dinner table with this delicious Southern Style Dirty Rice. This easy recipe is packed with ground beef, Cajun spices, and fluffy rice, all cooked together in one skillet for maximum flavor and minimum mess. Perfect as a quick dinner, meal prep option, or a satisfying side dish—this is one of those quick dinner ideas you’ll want to keep on repeat. If you’re looking for easy food ideas or something comforting yet bold, this Southern favorite hits the spot every time.
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
3 cups cooked long grain white rice
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup chopped bell pepper (optional)
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until browned and fully cooked through. Drain excess fat if needed.
2. Add the chopped onion, garlic, and optional bell pepper to the skillet with olive oil or butter. Sauté for 5–7 minutes until soft and fragrant.
3. Stir in Cajun seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix well and let cook for 2–3 more minutes.
4. Add the cooked rice to the skillet and stir to combine everything evenly. Let the rice soak up all the flavors.
5. Cook the mixture for another 5 minutes, letting some of the rice slightly crisp on the bottom.
6. Remove from heat and stir in freshly chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
Use day-old rice for best texture—it prevents the dish from becoming mushy.
Taste and adjust seasoning as you go, especially if your Cajun blend varies in saltiness.
Letting the rice sit undisturbed for a few minutes helps create delicious crispy bits at the bottom.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 17g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: quick dinner, southern style dirty rice, easy rice recipe, weeknight meal, one skillet dinner, comfort food