Description
This Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet is a flavorful and easy one-pan meal combining seasoned ground beef, rice, black beans, corn, and tomatoes, all cooked together in a skillet and topped with melted cheese. Perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner with vibrant Mexican-inspired flavors and customizable toppings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 or 85/15)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 tablespoons taco seasoning
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt, or to taste
- 10-ounce can RoTel diced tomatoes and green chilies (original)
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn, frozen or canned, rinsed
- ¾ cup jasmine rice, rinsed and drained
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken stock
- 2 cups Mexican cheese blend, Colby Jack, or equal parts mozzarella and cheddar
Optional Garnish
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Beef and Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until no longer pink. Add diced onion and sauté until softened. Then add minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Add Seasoning and Vegetables: Stir in the taco seasoning. Add the RoTel diced tomatoes with their juices, drained black beans, corn, and rinsed jasmine rice. Stir everything together to combine thoroughly.
- Add Stock and Simmer: Pour in the low-sodium chicken stock and add sea salt to taste. Bring the mixture to a light boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid and let it simmer for 15 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked and tender.
- Rest with Cheese: Turn off the heat, sprinkle the Mexican cheese blend evenly over the top, and cover again. Let it rest for 5 minutes until the cheese melts beautifully over the top.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish the dish with fresh cilantro if desired and serve immediately with your favorite taco toppings like sour cream, avocado, or salsa.
Notes
- You can customize this recipe by adding your favorite taco toppings such as sour cream, diced avocado, jalapeños, or salsa for extra flavor.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, add extra diced green chilies or a pinch of cayenne pepper along with the taco seasoning.
- Using low-sodium chicken stock helps control the salt level, but adjust salt according to your taste preference.
- To make this dish vegetarian, substitute ground beef with a plant-based alternative and use vegetable broth in place of chicken stock.
