featured 58845

One-Pan Taco Rice Skillet Recipe for Quick Weeknight Dinners

Mix ground beef and rice with taco seasoning, diced tomatoes and onion for an easy one-skillet meal the whole family will love.

Fork ready to scoop up beef and rice mixture with cheese on top and lettuce and tomato in the background with the skillet and a plate of other garnishes like avocado.

Ground Beef and Cheese with Rice

This one-pot taco rice skillet starts by browning ground beef and coating it with taco seasoning. Add beef broth and a can of diced tomatoes (undrained) then stir in rinsed rice. Simmer until the rice is tender, then top with shredded cheddar or a Mexican cheese blend until melted.

Serve with shredded lettuce, sour cream, avocado and any other favorite taco toppings for a quick dinner ready in about 30 minutes.

Yellow cheese melted over a ground beef skillet meal with rice, tomatoes and taco seasoning on a large black spoon over top of a skillet.

Leftovers freeze and reheat well, or use them later as taco fillings or a hearty salad topping.

Ingredients Needed

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 medium onion – yellow, white, or sweet, chopped
  • 1 ounce taco seasoning
  • 14 ounce can petite diced tomatoes – undrained
  • 2 1/4 cups beef broth
  • 1 cup rice – rinsed (medium-grain white works well)
  • 1 cup shredded cheese – cheddar, Mexican blend, or Colby Jack
  • Taco toppings – shredded lettuce, sour cream, avocado, chopped tomatoes, etc.
Ingredients to make a Mexican beef rice skillet are ground beef, petite diced tomatoes, beef broth, onion, taco seasoning, sour cream, rice, lettuce and cheddar cheese on a wooden counter top.

How To Make a Taco Rice Skillet Meal

1. In a large deep skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and drain any excess fat.

2. Add the chopped onion and cook until tender and translucent.

3. Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the meat and stir to combine.

Meat masher breaking up hamburger to cook the pink out in a black skillet.
Spatula stirring taco seasoning into cooked ground beef and onions in a skillet.

4. Pour in the beef broth and the undrained can of diced tomatoes. The tomato juice helps cook the rice and adds flavor.

5. Add the rinsed rice, stir to combine, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 20–25 minutes, until the rice is tender and has absorbed the liquid.

Can of petite tomatoes poured into ground beef seasoned with taco spices.
Raw rice poured into a skillet with cooked ground beef, tomatoes and broth with a generous amount of taco seasoning.

6. Once the rice is cooked, sprinkle the shredded cheese over the skillet, cover briefly to melt, then serve immediately with your chosen toppings.

Overhead view of skillet full of a taco beef mixture on a blue and white napkin.
Overhead view of a flavorful cheesy Mexican beef and rice one pot meal in a skillet on a blue and white napkin.

Take a small taste before serving and adjust seasoning if needed.

Plate with a traditional Mexican ground beef, rice, tomato and cheese base that's easy to dress up with lettuce, sour cream with a fork on the back and the skillet full in the background on a blue napkin.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

  • One 1-ounce packet of taco seasoning equals about 4 tablespoons (1/4 cup).
  • Swap fire-roasted tomatoes for a smokier flavor if you prefer.
  • Cooking the rice in beef broth gives it more savory flavor than using water alone.
  • Leftovers work great frozen, reheated as a salad topper, or baked into crunchy taco shells.
Serving spoon full of a tender and delicious Mexican beef and rice skillet meal on a blue and white napkin.

Taco Rice Skillet — At a Glance

  • Servings: 5
  • Prep time: 5 minutes
  • Cook time: 30 minutes
  • Total time: 35 minutes

Notes

Garnish with sour cream and avocado, and serve with extra chopped tomatoes and shredded lettuce if desired.