Description
This Cheesy Taco Rice Skillet is a delicious and easy one-pan dinner perfect for busy weeknights. Combining hearty ground beef, vibrant vegetables, and flavorful taco seasoning with cheesy rice, it’s a comforting and satisfying meal that’s ready in just 30 minutes. Topped with fresh cilantro, avocado, sour cream, and crunchy tortilla chips, it’s a crowd-pleaser that brings bold Tex-Mex flavors to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb Lean Ground Beef (or ground turkey or diced chicken)
- 0.5 medium Onion, diced (or shallots for milder taste)
- 3 tbsp Taco Seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- 0.5 cup Prepared Salsa (fresh or store-bought)
- 15 oz Black Beans, drained and rinsed (or pinto beans)
- 15 oz Sweet Corn, undrained (or frozen corn)
- 10 oz Diced Tomatoes and Green Chiles, undrained (or fresh diced tomatoes)
- 8.5 oz Ready Rice, microwaved (or cooked long-grain/brown rice)
- 4 oz Colby Jack Cheese, shredded (shred from block for best melting)
For Garnish
- Fresh Cilantro
- Sliced Avocado
- Sour Cream
- Crushed Tortilla Chips
Instructions
- Preheat Skillet and Cook Beef: Start by heating a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat and lightly spray it with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Brown Beef and Sauté Onions: Add the lean ground beef and diced onions to the hot skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is fully browned and the onions become soft and translucent, about 8-10 minutes.
- Add Taco Seasoning and Salsa: Stir in the taco seasoning and prepared salsa, mixing them thoroughly into the beef and onion mixture to distribute the flavors evenly.
- Add Beans, Corn, and Tomatoes: Incorporate the drained black beans, undrained sweet corn, and undrained diced tomatoes and green chiles into the skillet. Let this mixture simmer gently for 5-6 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Mix in Rice and Top with Cheese: Fold in the microwaved ready rice until evenly combined. Sprinkle the shredded Colby Jack cheese evenly on top of the mixture.
- Broil to Melt Cheese: Carefully transfer the oven-safe skillet to the middle rack of your oven. Broil until the cheese is bubbly and slightly golden, about 1 minute. Watch closely to avoid burning.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven and garnish with fresh cilantro, sliced avocado, dollops of sour cream, and crushed tortilla chips for added texture and flavor. Serve warm.
Notes
- Substitute ground turkey or diced chicken for a lighter protein option.
- Use homemade taco seasoning to control sodium levels.
- If you don’t have ready rice, use fully cooked long-grain or brown rice.
- Broil cheese carefully as it can burn quickly; stay attentive during this step.
- Oven safety: ensure your skillet is oven-safe before broiling.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days.
