A One-Pan Wonder Loaded with Bold Flavor & Melty Cheese!
If tacos and cheesy rice had a baby, it would be this glorious, flavor-packed Cheesy Taco Rice. This easy one-pan dinner is everything you want on a busy night—hearty ground beef, tender rice, warm Mexican spices, juicy tomatoes, and a generous helping of melty cheese. It’s simple, satisfying, and ready in under 30 minutes!
Think of it as a deconstructed taco meets comfort food casserole, without the need to turn on the oven. Whether you spoon it into bowls, wrap it in tortillas, or pile it into lettuce cups, this is a dish the whole family will devour.
🛒 Ingredients
Serves: 4–6 | Prep Time: 10 mins | Cook Time: 20 mins | Total: 30 mins
Main Ingredients:
- Ground beef (85% lean) – 450g
- Onion – 100g, finely chopped
- Garlic – 2 cloves (6g), minced
- Cooked white rice – 300g (about 1.5 cups cooked or 100g dry)
- Canned diced tomatoes – 400g (1 can), with juice
- Tomato paste – 30g (2 tbsp)
- Taco seasoning – 25g (2 tbsp) (store-bought or homemade)
- Water or beef broth – 125ml (½ cup)
- Olive oil – 1 tablespoon (15ml)
- Salt – ½ tsp (adjust to taste)
- Black pepper – ¼ tsp
For the Cheese:
- Cheddar cheese – 150g, shredded
- Monterey Jack cheese – 100g, shredded
Optional Toppings:
- Sour cream
- Sliced jalapeños
- Fresh cilantro
- Diced avocado
- Salsa or hot sauce
👨🍳 Instructions
🔥 Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add chopped onion and cook until soft, about 3–4 minutes.
- Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
🥩 Step 2: Brown the Beef
- Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spatula.
- Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 6–7 minutes.
- Drain excess fat if needed.
🍅 Step 3: Add the Flavors
- Stir in taco seasoning, tomato paste, diced tomatoes (with juice), and broth or water.
- Let simmer for 5 minutes, allowing flavors to meld.
🍚 Step 4: Mix in the Rice
- Add cooked rice to the skillet and stir to combine everything.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer for 2–3 minutes, letting it thicken slightly.
🧀 Step 5: Get Cheesy
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese over the top.
- Cover with a lid for 2–3 minutes until the cheese is melted and gooey.
🌿 Step 6: Garnish & Serve
Top with your favorite garnishes like sour cream, jalapeños, avocado, or cilantro, and dig in!
🍽️ Nutrition (Per Serving – Based on 6 Servings)
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Protein: 27g
- Fat: 25g
- Carbs: 36g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 650mg
🧠 Tip: You can lighten this up by using ground turkey, brown rice, or reduced-fat cheese!
💡 Tips & Tricks
- Make it spicy: Add cayenne or hot sauce for extra heat.
- Use rotisserie chicken: Swap beef for shredded chicken for a quicker twist.
- Turn it into a burrito: Roll it up in a tortilla with beans and guac.
- Meal prep friendly: Stores great in the fridge for up to 4 days.
🔄 My Twist: Taco Rice Stuffed Peppers
Scoop your cheesy taco rice into halved bell peppers, top with cheese, and bake at 190°C (375°F) for 20 minutes. A lower-carb, veggie-forward way to enjoy this dish!
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