Dirty Rice with Ground Beef

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 medium yellow onion
• 2 celery stalks
• 1 green bell pepper
• 3 clove garlic
• 1½ cup long-grain white rice
• 3 cup beef broth
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tsp Cajun seasoning
• ½ tsp dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley (optional)
• 2 green onions (optional)

Steps

1. Chop the onion, celery, and green bell pepper into a fine dice. Mince the garlic.
2. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned. Drain excess fat.
3. Add the diced onion, celery, and bell pepper to the skillet with the beef. Cook until vegetables soften, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in minced garlic, Cajun seasoning, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper, cooking for 1 minute more until fragrant.
4. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Add the uncooked rice and stir to coat, cooking for 2 minutes.
5. Pour in the beef broth and add the bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
6. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork and remove the bay leaf.
7. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and sliced green onions, if desired, and serve hot.