Cheesy Taco Rice (One-Pan Recipe) Recipe
This Cheesy Taco Rice is a delicious one-pan meal combining seasoned ground beef, savory rice cooked in beef broth with diced tomatoes and chilies, and topped with melted cheese. Perfect for a quick and hearty dinner, this recipe is flavorful, comforting, and easy to customize with your favorite toppings.
- Author: Maya
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
- Diet: Low Fat
Meat and Veggies
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
Seasoning and Liquids
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 2 1/4 cups beef broth
- 1 (10 oz) can Rotel (diced tomatoes with green chilies)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
Carbohydrates and Cheese
- 1 1/2 cups long-grain white rice (uncooked)
- 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Colby Jack, Pepper Jack, or your choice)
- Brown the Beef and Onions: In a large skillet with high sides, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and diced onion. Cook until beef is no longer pink and onion is softened, about 8–10 minutes. Drain any excess grease.
- Add Garlic and Seasoning: Stir in minced garlic and taco seasoning. Cook for 30 seconds, stirring frequently to release the flavors.
- Add Liquids and Rice: Pour in beef broth, Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, and tomato paste. Stir until well combined and bring the mixture to a boil. Add the uncooked long-grain white rice, stir again, and return to a boil.
- Simmer: Cover the skillet with a lid. Reduce heat to medium-low or low and let it simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the top of the rice. Cover again and cook for another 5 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and gooey.
- Serve: Serve the cheesy taco rice hot, topped with your favorite garnishes such as sour cream, guacamole, salsa, or chopped cilantro for added freshness and flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for ground beef to make it leaner.
- Adjust the level of spiciness by choosing mild or hot Rotel, or adding extra chili powder.
- Use low-sodium beef broth to reduce salt content if preferred.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute beef broth with vegetable broth and use plant-based meat alternatives or beans instead of ground beef.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
Keywords: taco rice, cheesy taco rice, one-pan recipe, ground beef recipe, Mexican-inspired dish, easy dinner, quick recipe