Description
Cheesy Taco Rice Skillet is a flavorful and hearty one-pan dinner combining seasoned ground beef, beans, corn, diced tomatoes, and rice, all topped with melted Colby Jack cheese and garnished with fresh cilantro, avocado, sour cream, and crunchy tortilla chips. This quick and easy recipe is perfect for busy weeknights and delivers a comforting Mexican-inspired meal in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Veggies
- 1 lb Lean Ground Beef (or ground turkey or diced chicken)
- 0.5 medium Onion, diced (or shallots for milder taste)
- 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)
Seasoning and Sauce
- 3 tbsp Taco Seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- 0.5 cup Prepared Salsa (fresh or store-bought)
Rice and Cheese
- 8.5 oz Ready Rice, microwaved (or cooked long-grain/brown rice)
- 4 oz Colby Jack Cheese, shredded (shred from block for best melting)
Toppings
- Fresh Cilantro
- Sliced Avocado
- Sour Cream
- Crushed Tortilla Chips
Instructions
- Prepare the skillet: Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat and lightly spray it with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook the beef and onions: Add the lean ground beef and diced onions to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is browned and onions have softened, about 8-10 minutes.
- Add seasoning and salsa: Stir in the taco seasoning and prepared salsa, mixing thoroughly to blend flavors into the beef and onions.
- Add beans, corn, and tomatoes: Add the drained black beans, undrained sweet corn, and undrained diced tomatoes with green chiles. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 5-6 minutes to combine flavors.
- Incorporate rice and cheese: Stir in the microwaved ready rice evenly throughout the skillet mixture. Then, sprinkle the shredded Colby Jack cheese evenly over the top.
- Broil the cheese: Place the skillet on the middle rack of your oven and broil until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden, about 1 minute. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the skillet from the oven and garnish with fresh cilantro, sliced avocado, sour cream, and crushed tortilla chips as desired. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- Use ground turkey or diced chicken as a leaner protein alternative to beef.
- Taco seasoning can be homemade with chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, and oregano for a fresh taste.
- If you do not have ready rice, precook long-grain or brown rice ahead of time for the recipe.
- Broil the cheese just until bubbly to prevent burning; oven times vary.
- Customize toppings to suit your preference for extra flavor and texture.
