Description
This Cheesy Taco Rice recipe is a flavorful, one-pan meal that combines seasoned ground beef, rice, black beans, and Rotel tomatoes with melted sharp cheddar cheese. Finished with classic taco toppings and crispy tortilla chips, it’s a comforting and easy dinner perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Meat and Seasoning
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20)
- 1 packet (3 tablespoons) taco seasoning
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Fresh cracked pepper, to taste
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 10 ounce can Rotel tomatoes
- 15 ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup red enchilada sauce
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 8 ounces shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Toppings and Serving
- Sour cream, for garnish
- Sliced green onion, for garnish
- Chopped cilantro, for garnish
- Sliced jalapenos, for garnish
- Tortilla chips, for serving
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: Heat a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spatula, and cook until fully browned and no longer pink.
- Add Ingredients: Stir in the taco seasoning, rice, Rotel tomatoes, black beans, enchilada sauce, chicken broth, and season generously with salt and pepper. Mix until fully combined.
- Simmer: Cook the mixture over medium heat until it reaches a gentle simmer. Stir occasionally, scraping the bottom of the pan to prevent rice from sticking.
- Cook Covered: Reduce heat to medium-low and cover the pan. Let it cook for about 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and fully cooked. Check and adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- Melting Cheese: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the cooked rice mixture and cover again. Allow the cheese to melt for a couple of minutes on the stovetop, or optionally place the dish under a broiler for 1-2 minutes to melt and slightly brown the cheese.
- Garnish and Serve: Top with sour cream, chopped cilantro, sliced green onion, and jalapenos. Serve alongside crispy tortilla chips for a delicious taco rice meal.
- Enjoy and Review: Enjoy your cheesy taco rice and if you loved this recipe, please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review!
Notes
- Use leaner ground beef if preferred for a lower fat option.
- If you don’t have Rotel tomatoes, diced tomatoes with green chilies can be substituted.
- For vegetarian variation, replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or extra beans.
- Keep an eye on the rice while cooking to avoid burning or sticking to the pan.
- Broiling the cheese adds a nice texture and flavor but can be skipped for simpler preparation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
