Description
This Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet is a flavorful one-pan meal perfect for a quick and hearty dinner. Ground beef is browned and combined with aromatic onions, garlic, and taco seasoning, then simmered with rice, black beans, corn, and diced tomatoes for a rich, savory dish. Topped with melted cheese and fresh cilantro, it offers a comforting, satisfying taste of Mexican-inspired home cooking in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 or 85/15)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 tablespoons taco seasoning
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt, or to taste
- 10-ounce can RoTel diced tomatoes and green chilies (original)
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn, frozen or canned, rinsed
- ¾ cup jasmine rice, rinsed and drained
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken stock
- 2 cups Mexican cheese blend, Colby Jack, or equal parts mozzarella and cheddar
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Brown Beef and Sauté Onion: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook it thoroughly, breaking it up with a spatula until no pink remains. Then add the diced onion and sauté until the onion is softened and translucent. Finally, add minced garlic and cook for about one minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Season and Add Ingredients: Stir in the taco seasoning evenly throughout the beef mixture. Next, add the canned RoTel tomatoes with their juices, drained black beans, corn, and rinsed jasmine rice. Mix thoroughly to integrate all ingredients.
- Simmer: Pour in the low-sodium chicken stock and season with salt to taste. Increase the heat to bring the mixture to a light boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid and let it simmer for 15 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked and tender.
- Melt Cheese: Turn off the heat. Sprinkle the Mexican cheese blend evenly over the top of the skillet mixture. Cover again and let it rest for 5 minutes so the cheese can melt perfectly.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired. Serve warm with your favorite taco toppings such as sour cream, avocado slices, or extra salsa for added flavor and texture.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for ground beef if preferred.
- For a spicier dish, choose a hot variety of RoTel or add additional chili powder to the taco seasoning.
- If you prefer a vegetarian version, omit the beef and use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock.
- This dish stores well and can be refrigerated for up to 3 days; reheat thoroughly before serving.
- Additional toppings like sliced jalapeños, chopped green onions, or a squeeze of lime add great freshness.
