Description
This Cheesy Taco Rice Skillet is a delicious and easy one-pan dinner that combines seasoned ground beef, beans, corn, tomatoes, and rice with melted Colby Jack cheese. Perfect for a quick 30-minute meal, it’s topped with fresh cilantro, avocado, sour cream, and crunchy tortilla chips for a flavorful Mexican-inspired dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb Lean Ground Beef (or ground turkey or diced chicken)
- 0.5 medium Onion, diced (or shallots for milder taste)
- 15 oz Black Beans, drained and rinsed (or pinto beans)
- 15 oz Sweet Corn, undrained (or frozen corn)
- 10 oz Diced Tomatoes and Green Chiles, undrained (or fresh diced tomatoes)
Seasoning and Bases
- 3 tbsp Taco Seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- 0.5 cup Prepared Salsa (fresh or store-bought)
- 8.5 oz Ready Rice, microwaved (or cooked long-grain/brown rice)
Toppings
- 4 oz Colby Jack Cheese, shredded (shred from block for best melting)
- Fresh Cilantro (for garnish)
- Sliced Avocado (for garnish)
- Sour Cream (for garnish)
- Crushed Tortilla Chips (for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat the Skillet: Start by heating a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat and lightly spray it with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook Ground Beef and Onions: Add the lean ground beef and diced onions to the skillet. Cook, stirring frequently, until the beef is browned and the onions are soft, about 8-10 minutes.
- Add Seasoning and Salsa: Stir in the taco seasoning and prepared salsa, mixing thoroughly to evenly coat the beef and onions with the flavors.
- Add Beans, Corn, and Tomatoes: Add the drained black beans, undrained sweet corn, and undrained diced tomatoes and green chiles. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 5-6 minutes to blend the flavors and heat everything through.
- Mix in Rice and Cheese: Incorporate the microwaved rice into the skillet, spreading it evenly. Then top with shredded Colby Jack cheese to prepare for broiling.
- Broil the Skillet: Place the skillet on the middle rack of your preheated oven and broil until the cheese is bubbly and slightly golden, about 1 minute—watch closely to prevent burning.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven and garnish with fresh cilantro, sliced avocado, sour cream, and crushed tortilla chips as desired. Serve immediately for a warm, hearty meal.
Notes
- For a lighter protein option, substitute ground turkey or diced chicken for the ground beef.
- Use fresh diced tomatoes instead of canned diced tomatoes for a fresher taste.
- If you prefer, use brown rice instead of ready rice, but adjust cook time accordingly.
- Oven-safe skillet is necessary since the dish is finished under the broiler.
- Keep a close eye during broiling to prevent the cheese from burning.
- Additional toppings like jalapeños or chopped green onions can add extra flavor.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in a skillet or microwave.
