Description
This Cheesy Taco Rice recipe is a comforting and flavorful one-pan meal combining seasoned ground beef, rice, and melted cheese. Perfect for a quick dinner, it features a blend of taco spices, Rotel tomatoes, and gooey cheese, making it a crowd-pleaser that’s easy to prepare and packed with zest and savory goodness.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Aromatics
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Liquids
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 2¼ cups beef broth
- 1 (10 oz) can Rotel (diced tomatoes with green chilies)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
Grains and Cheese
- 1½ cups long-grain white rice (dry, uncooked)
- 2 cups shredded cheese (any variety)
Instructions
- Brown Beef and Onions: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Add the ground beef and diced onion, cooking and crumbling the beef until no longer pink and the onions are translucent, about 8-10 minutes. Drain excess grease from the pan to keep the dish from being greasy.
- Add Seasonings: Stir in the minced garlic and the entire packet of taco seasoning with the cooked beef and onions. Cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant to release the flavors of the seasoning.
- Add Liquids and Rice: Pour in the beef broth, Rotel tomatoes, and tomato paste. Stir well to combine all ingredients and bring the mixture to a rolling boil. Once boiling, stir in the dry rice, then return to a boil.
- Simmer: Cover the skillet with a lid and reduce the heat to medium-low or low. Let the mixture simmer gently for 15 minutes, allowing the rice to cook through and absorb all the savory flavors.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top of the rice mixture. Cover again and cook for an additional 5 minutes or until the cheese has completely melted and become gooey.
- Serve: Serve hot, optionally topped with your favorite taco fixings such as sour cream, guacamole, pico de gallo, and chopped fresh cilantro for extra flavor and freshness.
Notes
- You can use any variety of shredded cheese you prefer, such as cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend.
- Try substituting ground turkey for ground beef for a leaner option.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
- Adjust the heat level by choosing mild or hot Rotel tomatoes or adding fresh jalapeños.
- For gluten-free, ensure the taco seasoning packet is certified gluten-free, as some brands contain gluten.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
