One-Pot Cheesy Taco Rice Skillet
A comforting and easy one-pot meal with seasoned ground beef, rice, and melted cheese. This mexican-inspired one pot ready in about 40 minutes pairs ground beef, olive oil, yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 4, 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 (85% lean) ground beef
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp taco seasoning
- 1 cup, rinsed long grain white rice
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup, canned, drained diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup, drained and rinsed black beans
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering, about 1 minute.
- Step 2: Add 1 diced medium yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves; sauté for 4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 1 lb ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spoon, and cook for 6-7 minutes until browned and no longer pink.
- Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp taco seasoning, 1 cup rinsed long grain white rice, 2 cups beef broth, 1 cup drained canned diced tomatoes, 1/2 cup drained and rinsed black beans, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 5: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- Step 6: Remove from heat, sprinkle 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top, cover again and let sit for 5 minutes until cheese melts.
- Step 7: Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Cheesy Taco Rice Skillet take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover One-Pot Cheesy Taco Rice Skillet?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Cheesy Taco Rice Skillet?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale One-Pot Cheesy Taco Rice Skillet for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with One-Pot Cheesy Taco Rice Skillet?
Mexican one pot like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
My kids begged for seconds! The cheese pull made it feel fancy but was so simple.
- ★★★★★
Perfect for my busy homeschool days. Rice cooked evenly and the taco spice was spot on.
- ★★★★☆
Great one-pot meal, though I doubled the spices for more kick.
