Plento Pasto CookbookGarlic Ginger Beef & Broccoli Rice Bowl
⏱ 35 min
🍽 Serves 4
≈ $8.20 ($2.05/serving)
novice
Why this fits a family on a budget
Ground beef and frozen broccoli keep this well under $1 per serving, making it one of the most budget-friendly ways to hit that $3/meal target. The entire meal comes together in about 35 minutes using just two pots and simple pantry sauces a novice cook can confidently manage.
Ingredients
• 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
• 12 oz frozen broccoli florets
• 1.5 cup long grain white rice
• 0.25 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 4 clove garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 0.25 cup water
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes
• 3 stalk green onions, sliced
Instructions
1. Combine 1.5 cups rice with 3 cups water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18 minutes until water is fully absorbed and rice is tender. Remove from heat and keep covered.
2. While rice cooks, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, cornstarch, and 1/4 cup water in a small bowl until the cornstarch is fully dissolved with no lumps. Set the sauce aside.
3. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the oil shimmers, about 1 minute. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, for 6 to 8 minutes until no pink remains and the meat has browned.
4. Drain excess fat from the skillet by carefully tilting it and spooning off any pooled grease, leaving about 1 tablespoon of fat behind.
5. Add minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes to the beef. Stir constantly and cook for 1 minute until fragrant — the garlic should smell toasty but not burned.
6. Add frozen broccoli to the skillet and stir to combine. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the broccoli is heated through and bright green.
7. Pour the prepared sauce over the beef and broccoli mixture. Stir everything together and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef in a glossy glaze.
8. Divide rice evenly into 4 bowls, spoon the beef and broccoli mixture over the top, and garnish with sliced green onions. Serve immediately.
Contains: soy, gluten. Always double-check labels for your household's allergies.
Cost is a national-average estimate and varies by store and region.
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This recipe was generated by Plento Pasto's AI from a library of family-friendly dishes and reviewed for a real photo before publishing. Cooking times, costs, and nutrition are estimates — use your judgment in the kitchen.
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