Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Brown the beef
- Brown ground beef in a large pot over medium-high heat, then drain the fat.
- Continue cooking until the beef is no longer pink, stirring occasionally so it browns evenly.
Sauté vegetables and seasonings
- Sauté onion and both bell peppers for 4-5 minutes until they soften.
- Add garlic and tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, stirring until fragrant and thickened.
Simmer the soup
- Add crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, beef broth, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and smoked paprika, then bring the mixture to a boil.
- Add uncooked rice, cover, and simmer for 18-20 minutes until the rice is cooked through and tender.
Finish and serve
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve hot with shredded cheddar and fresh parsley on top.
Notes
For best texture, keep the pot covered during the rice simmer so the rice cooks evenly; if it thickens too much, stir in a splash of beef broth. Store in the refrigerator up to 4 days. Freezing is yes—freeze portions up to 3 months, then reheat with a little broth to loosen. For a lower-fat option, use 93% lean or substitute ground turkey while keeping the seasonings the same.
