One-Pot Cheesy Taco Rice

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-01 · Updated 2026-05-01

A comforting one-pot rice dish infused with taco spices and melted cheese. This Mexican-inspired one-pot recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs ground beef, olive oil, onion, diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp taco seasoning
• 1 cup long grain white rice
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 cup diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium heat. Add 1 diced medium onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent.
2. Step 2: Add 2 minced garlic cloves and 1 lb ground beef; cook, breaking up meat with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink, about 6-7 minutes.
3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp taco seasoning, 1 cup long grain white rice, and 1 cup drained diced tomatoes with green chilies; cook for 1 minute to toast the rice.
4. Step 4: Pour in 2 cups beef broth, add 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18-20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
5. Step 5: Remove from heat, sprinkle 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese over the top, and cover again for 5 minutes to melt the cheese.
6. Step 6: Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro before serving.