Description
This Cheesy Taco Rice Recipe is a flavorful and comforting one-pan meal combining seasoned ground beef, long-grain white rice, and melted cheese. Infused with taco seasoning, diced tomatoes, and beef broth, this dish offers a perfect blend of Tex-Mex flavors in just 25 minutes, making it an ideal weeknight dinner for the whole family.
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: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil. Add the ground beef and finely diced onion. Cook and crumble the ground beef until it is no longer pink and the onions become translucent, about 8-10 minutes. Drain any excess grease from the skillet for a leaner dish.
- Add Seasonings: Stir in the minced garlic and the taco seasoning packet into the cooked beef mixture. Cook this combination for about 30 seconds to release the spices’ aroma.
- Add Liquids and Rice: Pour in the beef broth, the canned Rotel, and tomato paste. Stir well until all ingredients are combined. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, stir in the uncooked white rice and bring back to a boil again.
- Simmer: Cover the skillet with a lid and reduce the heat to medium-low or low. Let it simmer gently for 15 minutes, allowing the rice to cook and absorb the flavorful liquids.
- Add Cheese: After the rice is tender and liquid mostly absorbed, evenly sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top of the skillet. Cover and cook for an additional 5 minutes or until the cheese has completely melted and is gooey and delicious.
- Serve: Dish out the cheesy taco rice and serve with your choice of taco toppings such as sour cream, guacamole, pico de gallo, or chopped fresh cilantro for an authentic Tex-Mex finishing touch.
Notes
- You can use any cheese variety that melts well such as cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend.
- For a spicier version, add jalapeños or use spicy Rotel.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated on the stovetop or microwave.
- This recipe can be made gluten-free by verifying the taco seasoning and Rotel do not contain gluten.
- For a lighter version, substitute ground turkey for ground beef and reduce cheese or use a low-fat cheese option.
