Cheesy Taco Rice Skillet Recipe
Introduction
This Cheesy Taco Rice Skillet is a quick and flavorful dinner that combines seasoned ground beef, vibrant veggies, and melted cheese over spicy rice. It’s a one-pan meal that brings comfort and zest together in every bite.
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- ½ medium onion, diced
- 3 tbsp taco seasoning
- ½ cup prepared salsa (storebought or homemade; a smooth salsa works best)
- 15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 15 oz can sweet corn, not drained
- 10 oz can diced tomatoes and green chiles
- 8.5 oz bag Ready Rice, microwaved (such as Uncle Ben’s Spicy Mexican style rice)
- 4 oz Colby Jack cheese, shredded
- Optional garnishes: fresh cilantro, sliced avocado, sour cream, crushed tortilla chips
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat and spray with avocado oil spray or olive oil.
- Step 2: Add the ground beef and diced onions to the skillet. Cook for 8-10 minutes until the beef is browned and the onions are soft.
- Step 3: Preheat your oven to Broil and position the oven rack in the middle.
- Step 4: Stir the taco seasoning and salsa into the cooked beef and onions until fully combined.
- Step 5: Add the drained black beans, undrained corn, and undrained diced tomatoes with green chiles. Stir and simmer for 5-6 minutes until most of the liquid has reduced.
- Step 6: Mix the microwaved rice into the skillet, stirring well to combine everything evenly.
- Step 7: Sprinkle the shredded Colby Jack cheese on top of the mixture. Place the skillet under the broiler and watch carefully, broiling until the cheese bubbles and melts, about 1 minute.
- Step 8: Remove from the oven and garnish with your choice of fresh cilantro, sliced avocado, sour cream, or crushed tortilla chips before serving.
Tips & Variations
- Use ground turkey or chicken as a leaner protein alternative to beef.
- Swap Colby Jack cheese for cheddar or Monterey Jack for a different cheesy flavor.
- Add a diced jalapeño with the onions for extra heat.
- If you don’t have ready-made rice, cook 1 cup of your favorite rice separately to use in the recipe.
- To make it vegetarian, omit the meat and add extra beans or sautéed mushrooms.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of water to keep it moist. Avoid broiling leftovers again to prevent drying out the cheese.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use fresh salsa instead of storebought?
Yes, fresh salsa works well as long as it isn’t too chunky or thick; smoother salsa blends better into the mixture for even flavor.
Is it important to use an oven-safe skillet?
Yes, since you’ll broil the skillet to melt the cheese, it needs to withstand oven heat. If you don’t have one, you can transfer the mixture to a baking dish before broiling.
PrintCheesy Taco Rice Skillet Recipe
This Cheesy Taco Rice Skillet is a flavorful and easy one-pan meal combining seasoned ground beef, black beans, corn, diced tomatoes with green chiles, and spicy Mexican-style rice. Topped with melted Colby Jack cheese and optional garnishes like fresh cilantro and avocado, this dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or casual gathering.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- ½ medium onion, diced
- 3 tbsp taco seasoning
- ½ cup prepared salsa (storebought or homemade, not thick or chunky)
- 15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 15 oz can sweet corn, not drained
- 10 oz can diced tomatoes and green chiles, not drained
- 8.5 oz bag Ready Rice (microwaved according to package directions; e.g., Uncle Ben’s Spicy Mexican style rice)
- 4 oz Colby Jack cheese, shredded
Optional Garnishes
- Fresh cilantro
- Sliced avocado
- Sour cream
- Crushed tortilla chips
Instructions
- Heat the skillet: Place a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat and spray it with avocado oil spray or olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Cook ground beef and onions: Add the lean ground beef and diced onions to the skillet. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beef is browned and no longer pink, and the onions are soft and translucent.
- Preheat the broiler: While the beef cooks, preheat your oven to the Broil setting and position the oven rack in the middle to ensure even broiling of the cheese topping.
- Add seasoning and salsa: Stir in 3 tablespoons of taco seasoning and ½ cup of prepared salsa into the cooked ground beef and onions, mixing thoroughly to combine all flavors.
- Add beans, corn, and tomatoes: Incorporate the drained black beans, undrained sweet corn, and undrained diced tomatoes with green chiles into the skillet. Stir and let the mixture simmer for 5-6 minutes until most of the excess liquid has evaporated.
- Mix in rice and cheese: Add the microwaved Ready Rice to the skillet and stir well to evenly distribute all ingredients. Then, sprinkle the shredded Colby Jack cheese evenly over the top.
- Broil until bubbly: Transfer the skillet to the oven and broil for about one minute, watching carefully to prevent burning, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from the oven, add optional garnishes such as fresh cilantro, sliced avocado, sour cream, and crushed tortilla chips as desired, and serve hot.
Notes
- Use a large oven-safe skillet to simplify cooking and broiling in one dish.
- Salsa choice affects moisture and flavor—choose a smooth salsa to avoid excess chunkiness.
- Watch the cheese carefully while broiling as it can burn quickly under high heat.
- Ready Rice can be substituted with any cooked Mexican-style rice for convenience.
- To make this dish vegetarian, omit the ground beef and add extra beans or sautéed vegetables.
Keywords: Cheesy taco rice skillet, ground beef skillet, Mexican rice skillet, easy one-pan dinner, taco rice bake
