Description
This Cheesy Turkey Rice Taco Skillet is a delicious and easy one-pan meal that combines savory ground turkey, vibrant bell peppers, and zesty taco seasoning with rice and melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, this dish is packed with flavor and topped with a bubbly cheese crust from a quick broil in the oven.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1-2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 2 bell peppers (1 red, 1 green), diced
- ½ medium red onion, diced
- 1 can diced green chilies (4 oz.)
- 1 can corn kernels, drained (15.25 oz., approx. 1½ cups)
- 1 can black beans (15 oz.)
- 1 can diced tomatoes with juices (14.5 oz.)
- ¼ cup cilantro, chopped
Seasonings and Staples
- 1½ tsp garlic powder, divided
- 1 packet taco seasoning (1 – 1.3 oz., we use Siete)
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- 1½ cup pre-cooked rice
- ½ cup tomato sauce
- Juice of 1 lime
- 2 – 2½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Heat the pan: Heat a large sauté pan, skillet, or shallow Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 1-2 tablespoons olive oil and let it heat until glistening.
- Sauté vegetables and start turkey: Add diced onion and bell peppers to the pan. Sauté, stirring regularly, until onions become translucent. Push veggies to the pan’s side and add ground turkey. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon garlic powder over the turkey and let it cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes before breaking it apart.
- Cook turkey and veggies: Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the ground turkey is fully cooked and no longer pink, and vegetables are softened.
- Add remaining ingredients and simmer: Reduce heat to medium. Add diced tomatoes, green chilies, black beans, corn, rice, taco seasoning, remaining garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well and let simmer for 4-6 minutes, allowing all flavors to meld and ingredients to heat through.
- Add cheese and fresh elements: Check that the rice is hot, then stir in 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, tomato sauce, lime juice, and chopped cilantro. Mix until cheese melts into the mixture.
- Broil with cheese topping: Remove skillet from stovetop heat. Sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Transfer skillet to oven and broil on high for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese melts and begins to brown.
- Serve: Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional cilantro or preferred taco toppings.
Notes
- Use pre-cooked rice to speed up preparation and avoid sogginess.
- Sieté taco seasoning adds authentic flavor, but feel free to use your preferred brand or homemade blend.
- Broil time can vary slightly depending on your oven; watch carefully to avoid burning the cheese.
- Add extra lime juice or fresh cilantro at serving for enhanced brightness.
- This recipe is easily doubled for larger groups.
- Leftovers reheat well and can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
