Cheesy Taco Rice Skillet – Quick, Comforting & Packed with Flavor

A one-pan wonder loaded with seasoned ground beef, fluffy rice, melty cheese, and all your favorite taco flavors—perfect for busy weeknights or an easy family dinner!

🎉 Introduction

This Cheesy Taco Rice Skillet is the ultimate comfort food: tender rice, juicy taco-seasoned ground beef, salsa, and plenty of gooey cheese—all cooked together in one skillet. It’s hearty, satisfying, and ready in 30 minutes for a meal everyone will devour. Top it with your favorite taco fixings for the perfect easy dinner! 🌮🧀

🧰 Equipment Needed

• Large skillet with lid
• Knife & cutting board
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Measuring cups & spoons

🛒 Ingredients

🌮 Main Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced (any color)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup salsa
• 2 cups beef or chicken broth
• 1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade)
• 1½ cups shredded cheddar or Mexican cheese blend

🌿 Optional Toppings

• Sour cream
• Sliced green onions
• Diced tomatoes
• Chopped cilantro
• Jalapeños

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Brown the Beef

1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon.
3. Drain excess fat if needed.

Step 2: Sauté the Veggies

1. Add diced onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet; sauté 2–3 minutes until softened.

Step 3: Add Rice & Seasoning

1. Stir in uncooked rice, taco seasoning, salsa, and broth.
2. Mix well, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.

Step 4: Simmer

1. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low.
2. Cover and simmer 18–20 minutes, until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.

Step 5: Add Cheese & Serve

1. Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the top.
2. Cover again for 2–3 minutes, until cheese is melted.
3. Remove from heat and top with your favorite garnishes.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 4–6
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: ~30 minutes

🥄 Variations

• Spicy: Add diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce.
• Veggie Boost: Stir in corn, black beans, or spinach.
• Low-Carb: Replace rice with cauliflower rice (reduce liquid by half).
• Chicken Option: Use ground chicken or shredded rotisserie chicken.

🧊 Storage & Reheating

• Fridge: Store leftovers in airtight container up to 4 days.
• Reheat: Microwave or warm in a skillet over medium heat until hot.
• Freezer: Freeze in portions up to 2 months; thaw overnight before reheating.

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Can I use brown rice?
   Yes, but increase broth and cooking time by ~10 minutes.
2. Is it spicy?
   Mild as written—adjust with hot salsa or added chili.
3. Can I use instant rice?
   Not recommended; it can become mushy.
4. Can I make it vegetarian?
   Yes—use plant-based meat or swap with extra veggies and beans.
5. What cheese works best?
   Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend.
6. Can I double the recipe?
   Yes—use a very large skillet or Dutch oven.
7. Do I have to cover it?
   Yes—traps steam to cook rice evenly.
8. What sides go well?
   Salad, tortilla chips, or guacamole.
9. Can kids eat this?
   Absolutely—it’s mild and cheesy.
10. How do I keep leftovers moist?
    Add a splash of broth or water before reheating.

🏁 Conclusion

This Cheesy Taco Rice Skillet is easy, flavorful, and perfect for family dinners—everything you love about tacos in one cheesy, comforting skillet meal! 🌮🧀

Adam

Cheesy Taco Rice Skillet – Quick, Comforting & Packed with Flavor

This Cheesy Taco Rice Skillet is the ultimate comfort food: tender rice, juicy taco-seasoned ground beef, salsa, and plenty of gooey cheese—all cooked together in one skillet. It’s hearty, satisfying, and ready in 30 minutes for a meal everyone will devour. Top it with your favorite taco fixings for the perfect easy dinner! 🌮🧀

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

🌮 Main Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey
• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 1 small onion diced
• 1 bell pepper diced (any color)
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 cup salsa
• 2 cups beef or chicken broth
• 1 packet taco seasoning or homemade
• 1½ cups shredded cheddar or Mexican cheese blend

🌿 Optional Toppings

• Sour cream
• Sliced green onions
• Diced tomatoes
• Chopped cilantro
• Jalapeños

Equipment

• Large skillet with lid
• Knife & cutting board
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Measuring cups & spoons

Method

 

Step 1: Brown the Beef

1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon.
3. Drain excess fat if needed.

Step 2: Sauté the Veggies

1. Add diced onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet; sauté 2–3 minutes until softened.

Step 3: Add Rice & Seasoning

1. Stir in uncooked rice, taco seasoning, salsa, and broth.
2. Mix well, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.

Step 4: Simmer

1. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low.
2. Cover and simmer 18–20 minutes, until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.

Step 5: Add Cheese & Serve

1. Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the top.
2. Cover again for 2–3 minutes, until cheese is melted.
3. Remove from heat and top with your favorite garnishes.

Notes

🥄 Variations
Spicy: Add diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce.

Veggie Boost: Stir in corn, black beans, or spinach.

Low-Carb: Replace rice with cauliflower rice (reduce liquid by half).

Chicken Option: Use ground chicken or shredded rotisserie chicken.

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Fridge: Store leftovers in airtight container up to 4 days.

Reheat: Microwave or warm in a skillet over medium heat until hot.

Freezer: Freeze in portions up to 2 months; thaw overnight before reheating.

❓ 10 FAQs
Can I use brown rice?
Yes, but increase broth and cooking time by ~10 minutes.

Is it spicy?
Mild as written—adjust with hot salsa or added chili.

Can I use instant rice?
Not recommended; it can become mushy.

Can I make it vegetarian?
Yes—use plant-based meat or swap with extra veggies and beans.

What cheese works best?
Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend.

Can I double the recipe?
Yes—use a very large skillet or Dutch oven.

Do I have to cover it?
Yes—traps steam to cook rice evenly.

What sides go well?
Salad, tortilla chips, or guacamole.

Can kids eat this?
Absolutely—it’s mild and cheesy.

How do I keep leftovers moist?
Add a splash of broth or water before reheating.

🏁 Conclusion
This Cheesy Taco Rice Skillet is easy, flavorful, and perfect for family dinners—everything you love about tacos in one cheesy, comforting skillet meal! 🌮🧀