Perfect for busy weeknights, this Taco Rice Skillet comes together in around 30 minutes. Made with ground beef, and taco flavors kids love. The simplicity of a one-pan meal, makes this recipe a win for the entire family.
Table of contents
More taco flavored inspired recipes your family might enjoy are this simple taco pasta made in the instant pot, and this delicious taco lasagna recipe.
Why We Love This Recipe
- One-Pan Meal – Fewer prep dishes mean less cleanup and more time to enjoy with family.
- Full of Flavor – Taco seasoning, Tomato, and garlic pack this dish with bold, delicious flavors that kids love.
- Quick & Easy – A homemade meal that’s ready in about 30 minutes.
Recipe Ingredients for Taco Skillet Rice
- Ground Beef - Use lean ground beef for less fat. Ground turkey or chicken may also be used. If using ground turkey or chicken, add a drizzle of olive oil to the pan.
- Taco Seasoning - Use your favorite brand.
- Onion - Yellow or white. Diced.
- Rice - Long grain white rice. Rinsed and uncooked.
- Garlic - Minced.
- Beef Broth
- Tomato Sauce
- Rotel - Or diced canned tomatoes with green chiles. Undrained.
- Shredded Cheese - Use your favorite taco cheese blend.
- Optional Toppings - Sour cream, diced avocado, guacamole, cilantro, etc.
Step-by-step recipe directions
Brown the Meat: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and crumble in the ground meat. Add a drizzle of olive oil if using ground turkey or chicken. Add the diced onion and cook until the ground meat is browned and the onion is soft. Drain any excess fat.
Add Flavor: Stir in the minced garlic and taco seasoning. Cook and stir for about 1 minute to bring out the flavors.
Simmer Everything Together: Pour in the tomato sauce, Rotel (including the juices), beef broth, and rinsed rice. Stir the Taco Skillet Rice well to combine.
Cook the Rice: Cover the skillet with a lid and let it simmer on medium-low heat for about 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed all the liquid.
Add Cheese: Sprinkle shredded cheese over the top of the Taco Skillet Rice, cover again, and let it melt for a couple of minutes.
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Serve & Enjoy: Dish up and serve the Taco Skillet Rice with your favorite toppings like sour cream, diced avocado, or fresh cilantro.
Brown rice takes longer to cook, so you’ll need to add extra broth and increase the simmering time by about 10-15 minutes.
You can substitute with a can of diced tomatoes with green chiles.
Yes, store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stove with a splash of broth or in the microwave.
Other recipes you might like
Taco Skillet Rice is the perfect meal for busy nights when you need something fast, filling, and full of flavor. This no-fuss dinner is sure to become a regular in your meal rotation.
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating on the recipe card below & a review in the comments section further down the page.
Printable Recipe
Taco Rice Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 pound Ground Beef lean - ground turkey or chicken may be used
- 1 Onion medium, diced
- 2 cloves Garlic minced
- 1 packet Taco Seasoning
- 8 ounce Tomato Sauce
- 10- ounce Rotel not drained
- 1 ½ cups Beef Broth
- 1 cup Long Grain White Rice uncooked and rinsed
- 2 cups Cheese taco or Mexican blend, shredded
Optional Toppings
- Sour Cream
- Green Onion
- Avocado
- Cilantro
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and crumble in the ground meat. Add a drizzle of olive oil if using ground turkey or chicken.
- Add the diced onion and cook until the beef is browned and the onion is soft.
- Drain any excess fat.
- Stir in the minced garlic and taco seasoning. Cook and stir for about 1 minute to bring out the flavors.
- Pour in the tomato sauce, Rotel (including the juices), beef broth, and rinsed rice. Stir well to combine.
- Cover the skillet with a lid and let it simmer on medium-low heat for about 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed all the liquid.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese over the top, cover again, and let it melt for a couple of minutes.
- Dish up with your favorite toppings like sour cream, diced avocado, or fresh cilantro.
Keri
This recipe is super easy and delicious. We love it for those nights we don't really feel like cooking.