Description
This Cheesy Taco Rice Skillet is a quick and flavorful one-pan meal combining seasoned ground beef, zesty salsa, black beans, corn, and spicy Mexican-style rice, all topped with melted Colby Jack cheese. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, it's easy to prepare with pantry staples and offers a satisfying blend of Tex-Mex flavors with a cheesy finish.
Ingredients
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- ½ medium onion, diced
- 15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 15 oz can sweet corn, not drained
- 10 oz can diced tomatoes and green chiles, not drained
Seasonings and Sauces
- 3 tbsp taco seasoning
- ½ cup prepared salsa (storebought or homemade, any salsa that is not thick and chunky)
Grains and Dairy
- 8.5 oz bag Ready Rice (microwaved according to package directions; spicy Mexican style preferred)
- 4 oz Colby Jack cheese, shredded
Optional Garnishes
- Fresh cilantro
- Sliced avocado
- Sour cream
- Crushed tortilla chips
Cooking Essentials
- Avocado oil spray or olive oil spray
Instructions
- Prepare the Skillet: Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat and spray it with avocado oil or olive oil spray to prevent sticking and help with cooking.
- Cook Beef and Onions: Add the lean ground beef and diced onions to the skillet. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes until the beef is fully browned and no longer pink, and the onions have softened, stirring occasionally to break up the meat.
- Preheat the Broiler: While the beef cooks, preheat your oven’s broiler and position the oven rack in the middle setting to ensure even cooking without burning.
- Add Seasonings and Salsa: Stir the taco seasoning and prepared salsa into the cooked beef and onion mixture thoroughly, blending all the flavors together evenly.
- Add Beans, Corn, and Tomatoes: Pour in the drained black beans, undrained sweet corn, and undrained diced tomatoes with green chiles. Stir everything together and let it simmer on medium-low heat for 5 to 6 minutes, allowing most of the excess liquid to evaporate and the flavors to meld.
- Stir in Rice and Cheese Topping: Add the microwaved Ready Rice to the skillet and mix well with the other ingredients. Then spread the shredded Colby Jack cheese evenly on top of the rice mixture.
- Broil the Skillet: Place the skillet under the preheated broiler and watch carefully as the cheese melts and becomes bubbly, which should take about one minute. Remove promptly to avoid burning.
- Garnish and Serve: Add any optional garnishes like fresh cilantro, sliced avocado, sour cream, or crushed tortilla chips as desired. Serve immediately while hot and cheesy.
Notes
- Use an oven-safe skillet to allow broiling directly in the pan.
- The recipe can be customized with your favorite salsa—choose mild or spicy depending on preference.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated on the stovetop or microwave.
- Ready Rice can be substituted with freshly cooked rice if preferred; adjust seasoning and moisture as needed.
- Watch the broiler carefully to prevent the cheese from burning.
