Red Beans and Rice with Ground Beef

In all my efforts to be creative (heh) in menu planning, I have forgotten about many of my stand-bys I used to make when coming home from a long day at the bank.  I've been making this since about the time we got married.  We really like it and I always have the ingredients on hand.  Plus, it is really versatile as substituting things out is easy.  I used to call it Poor Man's Jambalaya, but then I realized it's not really like jambalaya at all.  So Red Beans and Rice with Ground Beef it is.  :)

3/4-1 pound ground beef
2/3 c. diced onion
2 garlic cloves, minced (or if your feeling super lazy like I was, use garlic salt and omit the salt below)

1 1/2 Tbs. chili powder
2 dashes cayenne pepper
Salt and Pepper to taste
1 can kidney beans, drained (I've also used black or chili beans)

4 cups cooked rice

I have also put in cubed kielbasa sausage and a can of diced tomatoes, both of which are really good too.  I just didn't have either on hand tonight.

Add rice to rice cooker and prepare according to manufacturer directions.

Brown up the ground beef and diced onion.  Drain off the excess fat.

Add the minced garlic (or garlic salt) and other seasonings along with beans.  Once the rice is cooked, add to your beef and beans mixture.  (You would also add your kielbasa and/or tomatoes at the time as well.)  Mix thoroughly and heat through.  Serve with sliced green onions and Chipotle Tabasco, which is DH's absolute favorite.  (He parted ways with the original Tabasco long ago.)

Serve and enjoy!