Meal I ate every night as a d1 athlete to gain 10 pounds of muscle

Meal I ate every night as a d1 athlete to gain 10 pounds of muscle is a easy American recipe that serves 2. 1128 calories per serving. Recipe by Dan Petcash on YouTube.

Prep: 12 min | Cook: 26 min | Total: 48 min

Cost: $6.75 total, $3.37 per serving

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp Unsalted Butter (grass‑fed, no seed oils)
  • 1 lb Grass‑Fed Ground Beef (80/20 lean‑to‑fat ratio)
  • 1 tsp Salt (Kosher or sea salt)
  • 0.5 tsp Black Pepper (Freshly ground)
  • 0.5 tsp Garlic Powder (Optional)
  • 0.5 tsp Onion Powder (Optional)
  • 2 large Eggs (Room temperature)
  • 1 cup White Rice (Long‑grain, uncooked)
  • 0.5 cup Bell Pepper (Diced, any color)
  • 0.5 cup Bone Broth (Low‑sodium)
  • 0.25 cup Salsa (Aldi's best salsa)
  • 1 tsp Hot Sauce (Optional, for extra kick)
  • 0.25 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese (Full‑fat, shredded)

Instructions

  1. Cook the Rice

    Rinse 1 cup of white rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Add the rice and 2 cups of water to a medium saucepan, bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed and rice is tender.

    Time: PT15M

    Temperature: Boiling then simmer 95°C

  2. Dice the Bell Pepper

    While the rice cooks, dice ½ cup of bell pepper into uniform bite‑size pieces.

    Time: PT5M

  3. Melt Butter

    Heat the large skillet over medium‑high heat and melt 2 tbsp of unsalted butter.

    Time: PT2M

    Temperature: Medium‑high

  4. Brown the Ground Beef

    Add the 1 lb of grass‑fed ground beef to the skillet. Break it up with a spatula, sprinkle with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is fully browned and no longer pink, about 5 minutes.

    Time: PT5M

    Temperature: Medium

  5. Scramble the Eggs

    Push the browned beef to one side of the skillet. Crack the two eggs into the empty side and scramble, mixing gently with the beef until the eggs are just set, about 2 minutes.

    Time: PT2M

    Temperature: Medium

  6. Add Bell Pepper

    Add the diced bell pepper to the skillet and stir‑cook for 2 minutes until slightly softened.

    Time: PT2M

    Temperature: Medium

  7. Combine Rice

    Fluff the cooked rice with a fork and add it to the skillet. Stir to combine with the beef‑egg mixture, breaking up any clumps.

    Time: PT2M

    Temperature: Medium

  8. Add Bone Broth

    Pour ½ cup of low‑sodium bone broth over the mixture, stir, and let it simmer for 2 minutes so the broth is absorbed and the dish stays moist.

    Time: PT2M

    Temperature: Medium

  9. Season with Salsa and Hot Sauce

    Stir in ¼ cup of salsa and 1 tsp of hot sauce until evenly distributed.

    Time: PT1M

  10. Melt the Cheese

    Sprinkle ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese over the top, cover the skillet for 1 minute, or until the cheese melts.

    Time: PT1M

  11. Serve

    Transfer the hot bowl to a serving dish or keep in the skillet, and enjoy immediately.

    Time: PT1M

Nutrition Facts

Calories
1128
Protein
116 g
Carbohydrates
144 g
Fat
121 g
Fiber
2 g

Dietary info: High‑protein, Gluten‑free (if using gluten‑free salsa), Nut‑free

Allergens: Dairy, Egg, Beef

Last updated: April 19, 2026

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Meal I ate every night as a d1 athlete to gain 10 pounds of muscle

Recipe by Dan Petcash

A calorie‑dense, high‑protein bowl designed for athletes looking to pack on muscle. Ground beef, butter, eggs, white rice, bone broth, salsa and cheese come together for a tasty, nutrient‑rich meal that can be thrown together in under an hour.

EasyAmericanServes 2

Shop all ingredients on Amazon in one click • Printable PDF with shopping checklist

Source Video
7m
Prep
31m
Cook
10m
Cleanup
48m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$6.75
Total cost
$3.37
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • Browning the ground beef until fully cooked and caramelized.
  • Scrambling the eggs just until set to keep them tender.
  • Adding bone broth to keep the bowl moist and boost protein.
  • Melting the cheese without over‑cooking the rest of the dish.

Safety Warnings

  • Handle raw ground beef with clean hands and sanitize surfaces.
  • Cook beef to an internal temperature of at least 160°F (71°C).
  • Be careful when adding hot bone broth to avoid splatter burns.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about this recipe

Q

What is the cultural significance and history of high‑protein muscle‑gain meals like the Beef & Rice Bowl in American athlete nutrition?

A

In the United States, strength‑training athletes often rely on calorie‑dense, high‑protein meals to support muscle hypertrophy. The beef‑and‑rice bowl combines inexpensive, protein‑rich ingredients that have become a staple in college‑athlete and gym‑goer meal‑prep routines.

cultural
Q

How does the Beef & Rice Bowl fit into the broader American fitness cuisine tradition?

A

American fitness cuisine emphasizes convenience, macro‑balance, and cost‑effectiveness. This bowl mirrors classic “body‑builder” meals that pair lean meat, complex carbs, and dairy for a quick, all‑in‑one plate.

cultural
Q

What occasions or celebrations is the Beef & Rice Bowl traditionally associated with in the fitness community?

A

It’s commonly served after intense weight‑training sessions, during bulking phases, or as a post‑practice meal for college sports teams. It’s not tied to holidays but to the routine of gaining mass.

cultural
Q

What are the authentic traditional ingredients for the Beef & Rice Bowl versus acceptable substitutes?

A

Traditional ingredients include grass‑fed ground beef, unsalted butter, white rice, bone broth, eggs, cheddar cheese, salsa and hot sauce. Acceptable substitutes are regular ground beef, ghee or coconut oil, jasmine rice, chicken broth, mozzarella cheese, or a different hot sauce.

cultural
Q

What other American fitness dishes pair well with the Beef & Rice Bowl?

A

A side of steamed broccoli, a mixed green salad with olive‑oil vinaigrette, or a sweet‑potato mash complement the bowl’s protein and carbs while adding micronutrients.

cultural
Q

What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making the Beef & Rice Bowl?

A

Common errors include under‑browning the beef, over‑cooking the eggs, using brown rice (which changes texture), and adding too much broth which makes the dish soggy. Follow the critical steps for browning and broth addition.

technical
Q

Why does this Beef & Rice Bowl recipe use bone broth instead of water or regular broth?

A

Bone broth adds extra collagen and protein without excess sodium, enhancing both nutrition and mouthfeel. Water would dilute flavor, while regular broth may add unwanted sodium.

technical
Q

Can I make the Beef & Rice Bowl ahead of time and how should I store it?

A

Yes. Cook the rice and brown the beef a day ahead, store each component in airtight containers in the refrigerator, and assemble with fresh eggs, broth, salsa and cheese just before eating. Reheat gently and add a splash of broth if needed.

technical
Q

What texture and appearance should I look for when the Beef & Rice Bowl is done?

A

The beef should be fully browned with no pink, the eggs soft‑scrambled, rice fluffy, and the cheese melted into a glossy coating. The broth should be absorbed, leaving the mixture moist but not soupy.

technical
Q

What does the YouTube channel Dan Petcash specialize in?

A

The YouTube channel Dan Petcash focuses on practical, high‑calorie meals for athletes, budget‑friendly cooking hacks, and straightforward nutrition‑focused recipes for strength‑training enthusiasts.

channel
Q

How does the YouTube channel Dan Petcash's approach to American fitness cooking differ from other cooking channels?

A

Dan Petcash emphasizes cost‑effective, muscle‑building meals using readily available supermarket ingredients, prioritizing macro‑counts and simplicity over gourmet presentation, which sets his channel apart from more gourmet‑oriented food channels.

channel

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