Introduction

This Cheesy Taco Rice Skillet is a quick and flavorful weeknight dinner that combines seasoned ground beef, vibrant veggies, and melted cheese all in one pan. It’s a comforting, easy-to-make dish that brings together classic taco flavors with the convenience of rice, perfect for busy cooks.

Cheesy Taco Rice Skillet Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

1 lb lean ground beef
½ medium onion, diced
3 tbsp taco seasoning
½ cup prepared salsa (storebought or homemade, smooth consistency)
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 (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 or olive oil.
Step 2: Add the ground beef and diced onions to the skillet. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beef is no longer pink and the onions are soft.
Step 3: Preheat your oven’s broiler and position the oven rack in the middle.
Step 4: Stir in the taco seasoning and salsa with the cooked beef and onions until well combined.
Step 5: Add the drained black beans, undrained corn, and undrained diced tomatoes with green chiles. Stir everything together and let it simmer for 5-6 minutes, allowing most of the liquid to reduce.
Step 6: Mix in the cooked rice until fully combined, then evenly sprinkle the shredded Colby Jack cheese over the top.
Step 7: Place the skillet under the broiler and watch carefully. Broil until the cheese is bubbly and slightly golden, about 1 minute. Remove from the oven, garnish as desired, and serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

For a spicier kick, add chopped jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the salsa before mixing.
Swap Colby Jack for cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican cheese blend for different flavor profiles.
Use leftover cooked rice instead of ready-to-heat rice, just ensure it’s warm before adding.
For a vegetarian version, replace ground beef with sautéed mushrooms or a plant-based crumbled protein.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a microwave or on the stovetop until warmed through. Adding a splash of water or salsa can help maintain moisture when reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh corn instead of canned?

Yes, fresh corn kernels work well. Add about 1 cup of fresh corn after sautéing the beef and onions, then proceed with the recipe.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Generally, yes, especially if you use gluten-free taco seasoning and rice. Always check labels on packaged ingredients to ensure they are gluten-free.

Cheesy Taco Rice Skillet Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 84 reviews

This Cheesy Taco Rice Skillet is a quick and flavorful one-pan meal combining seasoned ground beef, black beans, corn, and spicy Mexican-style rice, all topped with melted Colby Jack cheese. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, this dish is easy to prepare and can be customized with your favorite toppings like fresh cilantro, avocado, sour cream, and crunchy tortilla chips.

Author: zara
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Broiling
Cuisine: Mexican-American

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Vegetables

1 lb lean ground beef
½ medium onion, diced
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

Seasonings and Add-ins

3 tbsp taco seasoning
½ cup prepared salsa (storebought or homemade; any salsa that is not thick and chunky will work great)

Grains and Cheese

8.5 oz bag Ready Rice (microwaved according to package directions; recommended Uncle Ben’s Spicy Mexican style rice)
4 oz Colby Jack cheese, shredded from the block

Optional Garnishes

Fresh cilantro
Sliced avocado
Sour cream
Crushed tortilla chips

Instructions

Heat the skillet: Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat and spray with avocado oil spray or olive oil to prevent sticking.
Cook ground beef and onions: Add the ground beef and diced onions to the skillet. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the meat is no longer pink and the onions have softened and become translucent.
Preheat broiler: While the beef cooks, preheat your oven to the broil setting and position the oven rack in the middle position to ensure even heating.
Add seasoning and salsa: Stir in the taco seasoning and prepared salsa into the cooked meat and onions mixture, mixing thoroughly to evenly coat the ingredients.
Add beans, corn, and tomatoes: Add the drained black beans, undrained sweet corn, and undrained diced tomatoes with green chiles to the skillet. Stir everything together, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 5-6 minutes until most of the liquid has cooked down.
Combine rice and cheese: Stir the microwaved ready rice into the skillet mixture until well blended. Evenly sprinkle the shredded Colby Jack cheese over the top of the rice mixture.
Broil until bubbly: Place the skillet under the preheated broiler and watch carefully, broiling for about one minute until the cheese is melted and bubbly and slightly toasted.
Serve and garnish: Remove the skillet from the oven and garnish with fresh cilantro, sliced avocado, sour cream, and crushed tortilla chips as desired. Serve hot for a delicious and hearty meal.

Notes

Make sure to use an oven-safe skillet to allow broiling directly in the skillet.
You can substitute the Ready Rice for any pre-cooked rice style you prefer, but spicy Mexican-style rice adds extra flavor.
Adjust the amount of taco seasoning to your spice preference.
Watch the broiler closely during the final step to prevent the cheese from burning.
For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with plant-based meat alternatives and use vegetarian taco seasoning.

Keywords: taco rice skillet, cheesy taco skillet, Mexican rice skillet, one-pan dinner, easy taco recipe, ground beef skillet, taco dinner