One Pan 30-Minute Taco Rice Skillet

This easy one-pan cheesy taco rice comes together in just 30 minutes with simple ingredients like ground beef, black beans, and enchilada sauce for a hearty, flavor-packed weeknight dinner everyone will love! It’s the perfect way to satisfy your taco cravings without all the mess.

Easy Cheesy Taco Rice Recipe

• A wildly simple one-pan meal made with pantry staples is ready in 30 minutes.
• Melty, cheesy, and full of bold taco flavor that the whole family will love.

Ingredients for Cheesy Taco Rice

• Ground Beef: Use 80/20 for the best flavor and tenderness. You can use ground chicken or ground turkey if you prefer.
• Taco Seasoning: Adds bold, classic taco flavor. Use store-bought or make my super easy homemade taco seasoning recipe.
• Long Grain White Rice: Cooks up fluffy and absorbs all the delicious taco flavors. If you use another kind of rice, you may need to adjust the cooking time and amount of liquid to accommodate.
• Rotel Tomatoes: Adds a kick of spice and freshness. If you prefer milder flavors, use plain diced tomatoes instead.
• Black Beans: Adds delicious heartiness to the dish. Pinto beans work great as an alternative.
• Red Enchilada Sauce: Adds depth and a tangy, savory flavor. You can use green enchilada sauce as well.
• Chicken Broth: Helps the rice cook evenly and enhances the flavor. Vegetable broth works as a substitute.
• Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Melts beautifully and adds a rich, tangy flavor. Try Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, or a Mexican cheese blend instead.
• Toppings: Sour cream, sliced green onion, and chopped cilantro add freshness and contrast. My easy fried tortilla strips would add a delicious crunch as well!

How to Make Cheesy Taco Rice

Brown the beef. Heat a large sauté pan over medium-high heat and add the ground beef. Cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until browned and cooked through.

Add the seasonings and liquids. Stir in taco seasoning, rice, Rotel tomatoes, black beans, enchilada sauce, chicken broth, and a couple pinches of salt and pepper. Mix until everything is well combined.

Simmer and cook. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then cover and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook for about 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and fully cooked. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Add the cheese. Sprinkle shredded cheddar over the top.

Melt cheese. Cover again for a few minutes, or until the cheese melts. Alternatively, broil it in the oven for 1–2 minutes for a bubbly, golden top.

Garnish and serve. Top with sour cream, cilantro, and green onion, and serve with your favorite crunchy tortilla chips.

Tips for Making Cheesy Taco Rice

• Use a large sauté pan or 5 quart braising pan with a tight-fitting lid to help the rice cook evenly.
• If the rice isn’t fully cooked after 20 minutes, add a splash more broth and continue simmering until it’s tender.
• For extra heat, add diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce before simmering.
• Want it creamier? Stir in a few spoonfuls of sour cream or heavy cream before adding the cheese.

Storing Leftovers

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Reheating Cheesy Taco Rice

• Reheat in a covered skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of broth or water until warmed through.
• You can also microwave in short intervals, stirring in between, until hot.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper before serving.

Serving Suggestions

• fried tortilla strips
• copycat Chipotle corn salsa
• creamy cilantro lime avocado sauce
• cheesy street corn dip
• easy cheese quesadillas

Try these easy family dinner recipes next!