This Cheesy Taco Rice skillet recipe is a delicious one-pan meal that combines all your favorite taco flavors into a hearty dish. This easy taco rice recipe is loaded with veggies, beans, rice, tomatoes and your choice of ground meat. Top it with your favorite taco toppings for a family-friendly meal that’s sure to please!
Looking for more unique taco recipes to make for dinner? Check these ones out too: Taco Pasta, Taco Soup, and Taco Tater Tot Casserole.
Taco Rice Recipe
Quick and easy Taco Rice has all your favorite taco flavors but is made in one skillet! It’s the kind of meal that feels comforting and fun but is also easy enough for a weeknight dinner. The combination of lean ground beef (or turkey, if you prefer) with diced bell peppers, onions, and garlic fills the kitchen with the most amazing mouthwatering aroma – everyone is going to be anxiously awaiting for dinner to be ready!
Along with the rice and beans, the perfect amount of taco seasoning adds just the right amount of flavor without being overwhelming. What I love about this dish is how simple it is to throw together — everything cooks in one skillet, making cleanup a breeze.
The best part, though? The toppings! Once the skillet is ready, I love setting out fresh ingredients like pico de gallo, creamy sour cream and slices of avocado. This dish is so customizable that everyone can build their own version, making it perfect for busy nights when everyone needs a quick and satisfying meal. It’s a guaranteed hit at my house, and I’m sure it’ll be at yours too!
Why You’ll Love This Taco Rice
- One-Pan Convenience: This Taco Rice Skillet is a lifesaver for busy weeknights. With everything cooking in one skillet, you can have a delicious, hearty meal without the hassle of multiple pots and pans piling up in the sink to tackle afterwards.
- Customizable to Your Taste: Whether you prefer beef or turkey, or want to add your favorite taco toppings, this recipe is easily adaptable. From spicy jalapeños to creamy guacamole, you can make it as mild or as bold as you like.
- Flavor-Packed & Satisfying: With a perfect blend of savory taco seasoning, melty cheese, and wholesome ingredients like rice, corn, and black beans, this dish is both filling and full of flavor — making it a family favorite every time!
How to Make Taco Rice
Making this Taco Rice is quick and simple. Start by sautéing onion, bell pepper, and garlic, then cook the ground beef (or turkey) with taco seasoning. Add rice, chicken broth, corn, black beans, and diced tomatoes, letting everything simmer together until the rice is tender and flavors meld. Top with melted cheese and your favorite taco toppings for a meal that’s both easy and full of flavor. As always, you can find the full printable recipe card at the end of this post.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add diced onion and bell pepper and sauté until softened.
- Add ground beef and cook until no longer pink. Stir in the minced garlic, taco seasoning, salt and black pepper, cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Stir in the chicken broth, tomatoes, rice, black beans and corn. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the rice is cooked.
- Remove the skillet from the heat and sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top. Cover and allow the cheese to melt.
- Serve warm with your favorite taco toppings.
Customize the spice level by adding diced jalapeños or using a spicy taco seasoning. You can additionally control the heat by choosing mild or hot diced tomatoes with green chiles.
Storage Information
Refrigerator: Store the leftover taco skillet in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through.
Freezer: The turkey and rice skillet can be frozen for up to 3 months. Allow the dish to cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container or resealable bag for storage. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Reheating: When reheating, add a splash of chicken broth or water to the skillet to help revive the moisture.
Variations to Try
- Substitute the ground beef or turkey with plant-based protein, such as lentils, quinoa, or crumbled tofu.
- Add extra beans and veggies like bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms for added texture and flavor.
- Swap the ground meat for shredded rotisserie chicken or diced chicken breasts. Season with taco spices, and follow the same cooking steps for a different protein option.
- Add more cheese by mixing in cream cheese or sour cream while cooking for an extra creamy texture. Top with additional shredded cheese before serving.
- Stir in fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice at the end of cooking for a bright and zesty flavor that enhances the dish.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Ground meat: Use ground chicken, ground turkey or lean ground beef in this recipe. To make the dish vegetarian, replace the turkey with crumbled tofu, tempeh, or more beans.
- Vegetables: Use other vegetables such as zucchini, yellow squash, or mushrooms.
- Garlic: Use 1 teaspoon of garlic powder instead of fresh minced garlic.
- Spices: Use individual spices instead of the taco seasoning.
- Chicken broth: Substitute chicken broth or stock with vegetable broth for a vegetarian option.
- Rice: Substitute long-grain white rice with brown rice. Note that brown rice may require a longer cooking time and more liquid.
- Frozen corn: Use 1 can of corn kernels instead of frozen corn. If using canned corn, drain it before adding it to the dish.
- Black beans: Substitute black beans with pinto beans or kidney beans.
- Diced tomatoes and chiles: Use a can of regular diced tomatoes or fire-roasted tomatoes instead of the Rotel.
- Colby Jack cheese: Use cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend cheese instead of Colby Jack.
Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
Yes, you can use brown rice, but keep in mind that it will require a longer cooking time and more liquid. Make sure to adjust the chicken broth quantity and cooking time accordingly.
What kind of meat can I use in this recipe?
Any ground meat will work. This one is made with ground turkey but we frequently use ground beef as well as ground chicken in this recipe – all are delicious options.
How can I make this dish spicier?
To make the dish spicier, add more cayenne pepper, diced jalapeños, or a splash of hot sauce.
How can I make the dish milder?
Replace the diced tomatoes and chiles with a can of regular diced tomatoes and omit the cayenne pepper.
Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned diced tomatoes?
Yes, you can use fresh tomatoes. Substitute the can of diced tomatoes and green chiles with about 1 ½ cups of diced fresh tomatoes and add a small can of diced green chiles.
What should I do if my rice is not cooked but the liquids have all been absorbed?
If the rice is still not tender after the initial cooking time, stir in ¼ cup of chicken broth or water to the skillet, cover, and cook for another 5-10 minutes. Make sure the heat is set to low while simmering. Too high of heat can cause the liquid to evaporate too quickly without cooking the rice properly.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as all ingredients (such as the broth and spices) are certified gluten-free.
How can I make this dish dairy-free?
To make the dish dairy-free, simply omit the cheese or use a dairy-free cheese alternative.
Serving Suggestions
This skillet recipe makes a complete and hearty meal as is. But if you want to serve it with anything, these are a couple of fun ideas to try!
- Cornbread: Serve warm cornbread, Jalapeño Cornbread or blueberry corn muffins on the side for a comforting, slightly sweet addition that complements the savory flavors of the skillet.
- Tortilla Chips: Offer crispy tortilla chips for scooping up the Taco Rice Skillet or as a crunchy side. You can even serve it with pico do gallo or queso dip for extra flavor.
- Tortillas: Homemade tortillas will make this meal extra special and they are perfect for scooping up some of the yummy taco rice!
- Cilantro Lime Rice: Enhance the meal with a side of cilantro lime rice. The fresh citrus flavor will complement the taco spices beautifully.
- Mexican Street Corn: Grilled or roasted Mexican street corn (elote) makes a fantastic side dish, adding a sweet and smoky element to your meal.
- Fresh Fruit: For a light dessert, serve a fruit salad or fresh mango salsa. The sweetness of the fruit will balance the savory spices of the skillet.
Trish’s Tips
- Ensure you monitor the rice as it cooks. If using white rice, keep an eye on it to prevent it from becoming mushy; it should be tender but do not over or under cook.
- While Colby Jack cheese is a great choice, feel free to mix in other types like cheddar, pepper jack, or even cream cheese for a creamy twist.
- For the best texture and flavor, serve the Taco Rice immediately after cooking. The cheese will be melty, and the dish will be hot and fresh.
- This dish can easily be made in larger quantities for meal prep. Divide into individual portions for quick lunches or dinners throughout the week.
More Recipes To Taco ‘Bout
Taco Rice
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oilolive oil
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 1 medium bell red pepper diced
- 1 pound lean ground beef or ground turkey
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 4 teaspoons taco seasoning
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 2 cups chicken broth low sodium
- 10 ounces diced tomatoes and green chiles 1 can, undrained (Rotel)
- 1 cup long-grain white rice uncooked
- 15 ounces black beans 1 can, drained and rinsed
- 1 ½ cups frozen corn kernels
- 1 ½ cups Colby Jack cheese shredded, about 6 ounces
Taco Topping
- diced tomatoes
- pico de gallo
- sour cream
- jalapenos
- cheese
- avocadoes
- guacamole
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oilolive oil
- Add the diced onion and bell pepper, and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.1 small yellow onion, 1 medium bell red pepper
- Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned and no longer pink, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.1 pound lean ground beef
- Stir in the minced garlic, taco seasoning, salt and black pepper, cooking for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.3 cloves garlic, 4 teaspoons taco seasoning, ½ teaspoon fine sea salt, ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- Stir in the chicken broth, diced tomatoes and green chiles (including juice), uncooked rice, black beans, and frozen corn kernels, bringing the mixture to a boil.2 cups chicken broth, 10 ounces diced tomatoes and green chiles, 1 cup long-grain white rice, 1 ½ cups frozen corn kernels, 15 ounces black beans
- Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the rice is cooked and the liquid is absorbed.
- Remove the skillet from the heat and sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top. Cover and allow the skillet to sit for a few minutes until the cheese is melted.1 ½ cups Colby Jack cheese
- Serve warm with your favorite taco toppings if desired.diced tomatoes, pico de gallo, sour cream, jalapenos, cheese, avocadoes, guacamole
Notes
Check out the post above for FAQs, ingredient substitutions, tips and more!
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