One-Pot Mexican Rice and Beef Skillet

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-05 · Updated 2026-08-05

A quick and satisfying one-pot meal combining ground beef, seasoned rice, and tomatoes with a hint of spice. This Mexican-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs ground beef, long grain white rice, diced tomatoes with green chilies 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 ground beef
• 1 cup long grain white rice
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 1 medium, diced yellow onion
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped, for garnish fresh cilantro
• 1/2 cup, optional shredded cheddar cheese

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb ground beef and 1 diced medium yellow onion. Cook, breaking up the beef with a spatula, for 6-8 minutes until browned and onion is translucent.
2. Step 2: Stir in 1 tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Add 1 cup long grain white rice and 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies, including juices. Stir to combine.
4. Step 4: Pour in 2 cups beef broth, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover skillet and simmer for 18-20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
5. Step 5: Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes. Fluff rice with a fork and garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro. Sprinkle 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese on top if desired before serving.