Description
This Cheesy Taco Rice recipe is a flavorful and easy one-pan dish combining seasoned ground beef, rice, tomatoes, and melted cheese. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, it brings the zest of taco flavors into a comforting, cheesy rice casserole that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Aromatics
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasoning and Liquids
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 2¼ cups beef broth
- 1 (10 oz) can Rotel diced tomatoes (with green chilies)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
Carbohydrates and Cheese
- 1½ cups long-grain white rice (dry)
- 2 cups shredded cheese (any variety, such as cheddar or Monterey Jack)
Instructions
- Brown the beef and onion: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, warm olive oil and add ground beef and diced onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is browned and the onion is softened, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain excess grease from the pan.
- Add garlic and taco seasoning: Stir in the minced garlic and taco seasoning packet, cooking for an additional 30 seconds to release the aroma and flavors.
- Add liquids and tomato paste: Pour in the beef broth, Rotel diced tomatoes (including the juices), and tomato paste. Mix everything well and bring the mixture to a boil over high heat.
- Cook the rice: Stir in the dry long-grain white rice, return the skillet to a boil, then cover and reduce the heat to low to let it simmer gently.
- Simmer until tender: Let the rice cook for about 15 minutes, or until it is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
- Add the cheese: Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the cooked rice and cover again. Allow the cheese to melt for about 5 minutes without stirring.
- Serve: Serve the cheesy taco rice hot, optionally garnished with your favorite toppings like chopped cilantro, sour cream, or avocado slices.
Notes
- You can use any shredded cheese variety you prefer, cheddar or Mexican cheese blends work great.
- If ground beef is not preferred, ground turkey or chicken can be substituted.
- For extra heat, add diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper along with the taco seasoning.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated on the stovetop or microwave.
- Adding chopped fresh cilantro or sliced green onions on top adds freshness and color.
