This cheesy taco rice is one of our favorite weeknight dinners, seasoned beef and rice simmered together and topped with melted cheese, all in one pan in about thirty minutes. For us that kind of fast, satisfying comfort is exactly what real food for real life is about. It is the kind of dinner that delivers all the fun of taco night with a fraction of the fuss, since everything simmers together in one skillet and comes out hearty, cheesy, and ready to customize.
Ground beef, taco seasoning, tomatoes with green chilies, and rice cook together in a single skillet, then get blanketed with melted cheese. This cheesy taco rice delivers all the bold, cheesy flavor of taco night in one easy, hearty, customizable bowl. Letting the rice cook right in the seasoned beef and tomatoes means every grain soaks up that bold, spiced flavor, and a blanket of melted cheese on top ties the whole skillet together.
Seasoned beef and rice under a layer of melted cheese make this cheesy taco rice a quick, hearty, one pan dinner.
Why You Will Love This Cheesy Taco Rice
- One pan meal. Beef, rice, and cheese cook together for easy cleanup.
- Ready in about thirty minutes. A fast, satisfying dinner for busy nights.
- Bold taco flavor. Taco seasoning and tomatoes with green chilies pack a punch.
- Cheesy and hearty. A melty cheese topping makes it pure comfort.
- Easy to customize. Top it your way with all your taco favorites.
What Makes This Cheesy Taco Rice So Good
A great cheesy taco rice starts by browning the beef with onion, then blooming taco seasoning and garlic, which builds a deep, savory, well spiced base before the liquids go in. Browning the beef and blooming the taco seasoning and garlic before the liquids go in is what builds a deep, savory base, so the finished dish tastes well spiced rather than flat.
Simmering the rice right in beef broth, tomato paste, and tomatoes with green chilies lets it cook up tender and packed with flavor, soaking everything up as it goes. Simmering the rice directly in the broth, tomato paste, and tomatoes with green chilies lets it drink up all that flavor, cooking tender and well seasoned rather than plain.
The key to this cheesy taco rice is the cheese. Sprinkling it over the top and covering the pan until it melts creates that irresistible, gooey, taco night finish. A blanket of cheese melted over the top is the signature finish, turning the skillet gooey and rich, and covering the pan briefly is all it takes to melt it evenly.
Optional Pro Tip: Let the Cheese Melt Covered
Add the cheese at the end and cover the pan off the heat or on low so it melts evenly into a gooey blanket. For the best cheesy taco rice, let the rice rest covered for a few minutes after cooking so it finishes steaming and stays fluffy. Melting the cheese off the heat or on low keeps it gooey rather than greasy, and a short covered rest after cooking lets the rice finish steaming so it stays fluffy and separate.
Tips for the Best Cheesy Taco Rice
Brown the beef well so the cheesy taco rice has savory depth, and use long grain rice so it cooks up tender. Browning the beef well develops savory depth, and reaching for long grain rice helps it cook up tender and distinct rather than sticky in the skillet.
Keep the lid on while the rice simmers so it cooks evenly, then melt the cheese on top and let it rest a few minutes before serving. Keeping the lid on while the rice simmers traps the steam it needs to cook evenly, and a few minutes of rest after melting the cheese lets everything set before serving.
Variations and Add Ins
- Spicy. Use a hot Rotel or add diced jalapenos.
- Different cheese. Try pepper jack, Colby Jack, or a Mexican blend.
- Veggie packed. Stir in bell peppers, corn, or black beans.
- Leaner. Use ground turkey in place of beef.
- Loaded. Top with sour cream, guacamole, salsa, and cilantro.
How to Store and Make Ahead
Store leftover cheesy taco rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. It makes great meal prep lunches. Stored airtight, it keeps its bold flavor for several days, which makes it an easy, satisfying option to portion out for quick lunches through the week.
Reheat in the microwave or on the stove until hot, adding a splash of broth or water if the rice has dried out. Add fresh toppings after reheating. A splash of broth or water stirred in while reheating brings the rice back to life if it has dried out, and adding fresh toppings afterward keeps them bright.
Serving Suggestions for Cheesy Taco Rice
Serve this hot, topped with sour cream, guacamole, salsa, and chopped cilantro, with tortilla chips or warm tortillas on the side. It makes an easy, crowd pleasing dinner. A spread of sour cream, guacamole, salsa, and cilantro lets everyone dress their own bowl, and tortilla chips or warm tortillas on the side round it into a full meal.
This dish is a skillet cousin of taco rice, a popular Okinawan plate of taco seasoned beef over rice with cheese and toppings, as described in this overview of taco rice. That bold, comforting idea is the heart of this cheesy taco rice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What beef should I use?
Lean ground beef works well. Drain excess fat after browning for the best texture. Lean ground beef keeps the skillet from turning greasy, so brown it well and drain any excess fat for the best texture and flavor.
What rice works best?
Long grain white rice cooks evenly in the skillet. Adjust liquid and time for other types. Long grain white rice cooks evenly and stays fluffy in the skillet, though you can use other types if you adjust the liquid and simmering time to match.
Can I use ground turkey?
Yes. Ground turkey or chicken is a leaner swap that still tastes great with taco seasoning. Ground turkey or chicken is a leaner swap that still carries the taco seasoning beautifully, so use whichever you prefer for a lighter skillet.
What cheese melts best?
Cheddar, Colby Jack, pepper jack, or a Mexican blend all melt beautifully. Cheddar, Colby Jack, pepper jack, or a Mexican blend all melt into a gooey layer, so pick your favorite or reach for pepper jack if you want a little extra kick.
How spicy is it?
It depends on your Rotel and seasoning. Use mild or hot to control the heat. The heat comes mostly from your tomatoes with green chilies and seasoning, so choosing mild or hot versions lets you dial the spice exactly where your family likes it.
Can I add beans or vegetables?
Yes. Black beans, corn, or bell peppers all stir in well and add substance. Black beans, corn, or diced bell peppers all stir in easily, adding color, fiber, and substance that stretch the skillet into an even heartier meal.
Why is my rice undercooked?
Add a splash more broth, cover, and simmer a few more minutes until tender. Undercooked rice usually just needs a little more time and liquid, so add a splash more broth, cover, and simmer a few minutes longer until tender.
Can I make it ahead?
Yes. It keeps for up to four days and reheats well, making it great for meal prep. Because it reheats so well, it is a great make ahead option, giving you several days of satisfying, bold flavored lunches with no extra effort.
Can I freeze it?
Yes. Freeze the cooled rice and beef for up to two months, then thaw and reheat. It freezes nicely too, so cool the rice and beef fully, seal them away, and you have a quick, hearty dinner waiting for a busy night.
What toppings go well?
Sour cream, guacamole, salsa, cilantro, and extra cheese all work beautifully. Sour cream, guacamole, salsa, cilantro, and extra cheese all pile on beautifully, so let everyone build their bowl the way they like it best.
A One Pan Taco Night in a Bowl
This cheesy taco rice brings all the bold, cheesy flavor of taco night into one easy, hearty skillet meal in about thirty minutes. It is satisfying, customizable, and always a hit. It brings all the bold, cheesy flavor of taco night into one easy skillet in about half an hour, and it is endlessly customizable to suit every taste.
Top it your way with sour cream, salsa, and cilantro, and add beans or vegetables to make it your own. It is a flexible, crowd pleasing dinner and a great meal prep option. Top it your way with sour cream, salsa, and cilantro, fold in beans or vegetables, and you have a flexible, crowd pleasing dinner that doubles as great meal prep.
If you love bold, comforting dishes like this, you will also enjoy our sweet potato enchiladas, another favorite from our kitchen.
Results vary by ingredients, equipment, and cooking conditions. Always taste and adjust seasoning as you go.
Cheesy Taco Rice
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large skillet with high sides, heat olive oil over medium high heat.
- Add ground beef and diced onion. Cook until beef is no longer pink and onion is softened, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain any excess grease.
- Stir in minced garlic and taco seasoning. Cook for 30 seconds, stirring frequently.
- Pour in beef broth, Rotel, and tomato paste. Stir until well combined and bring to a boil. Add the uncooked rice, stir, and return to a boil.
- Cover the skillet with a lid. Reduce heat to medium low or low and simmer for 15 minutes, or until rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the top. Cover and cook for another 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted and gooey.
- Serve hot with your favorite toppings such as sour cream, guacamole, salsa, or chopped cilantro.
Nutrition
Notes
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