Description
This Cheesy Taco Rice Skillet is a delicious, easy one-pan dinner that combines seasoned ground beef, beans, corn, tomatoes, and rice topped with melted Colby Jack cheese. Perfect for a quick family meal loaded with flavors and customizable with fresh toppings like cilantro, avocado, and sour cream.
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)
Garnishes and Toppings
- Fresh Cilantro
- Sliced Avocado
- Sour Cream
- Crushed Tortilla Chips
Instructions
- Heat the Skillet: Start by heating a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat and lightly spray it with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook Beef and Onions: Add the lean ground beef and diced onions to the skillet and cook until the beef is browned and onions are soft, about 8-10 minutes.
- Add Seasoning and Salsa: Stir in the taco seasoning and prepared salsa thoroughly to incorporate the flavors into the beef and onions.
- Add Beans, Corn, and Tomatoes: Pour in 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 blend flavors.
- Mix in Rice and Cheese: Incorporate the microwaved rice evenly, then top the mixture with shredded Colby Jack cheese.
- Broil the Skillet: Transfer the skillet to the middle rack of the oven and broil until the cheese is bubbly and slightly golden, about 1 minute.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and garnish the dish with fresh cilantro, sliced avocado, sour cream, and crushed tortilla chips, then serve hot.
Notes
- You can substitute lean ground turkey or diced chicken for the ground beef for a lighter protein option.
- For milder flavor, use shallots instead of onions.
- Homemade taco seasoning can be used to control sodium and spice levels.
- If an oven-safe skillet isn’t available, transfer the mixture to a baking dish before broiling the cheese.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated on the stovetop or microwave.
