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Cheesy Taco Rice Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 336 reviews

Cheesy Taco Rice is a hearty one-pan meal featuring seasoned ground beef, aromatic onions, and garlic simmered with rice in a flavorful tomato and Rotel broth, all topped with melted cheese for a comforting Tex-Mex dish that’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • 2¼ cups beef broth
  • 1 (10 oz) can Rotel (diced tomatoes and green chilies)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1½ cups long-grain white rice (dry, uncooked)
  • 2 cups shredded cheese (any variety)

Instructions

  1. Brown Beef and Onions: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, warm the olive oil. Add ground beef and finely diced onion to the skillet. Cook and crumble the beef until no longer pink and onions are translucent, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain excess grease from the pan.
  2. Add Seasonings: Stir in the minced garlic and taco seasoning packet to the cooked beef mixture. Cook for an additional 30 seconds to release the flavors.
  3. Add Liquids and Rice: Pour in beef broth, Rotel, and tomato paste into the skillet. Stir until well combined and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, stir in the uncooked rice and bring back to a boil.
  4. Simmer: Cover the skillet with a lid and reduce heat to medium-low or low. Allow the rice and beef mixture to simmer gently for 15 minutes, or until the rice is cooked through and liquid is absorbed.
  5. Add Cheese: Evenly sprinkle shredded cheese over the top of the cooked mixture. Cover and cook for another 5 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
  6. Serve: Remove from heat and serve with your favorite taco toppings such as sour cream, guacamole, pico de gallo, or chopped fresh cilantro to enhance the flavors.

Notes

  • For a spicier dish, consider adding extra diced jalapeños or use a spicy taco seasoning.
  • Use any cheese you prefer; cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend work well.
  • Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • For a gluten-free version, verify that the taco seasoning and Rotel are gluten-free.
  • To make this dish vegetarian, substitute ground beef with cooked lentils or plant-based beef alternatives.

Keywords: cheesy taco rice, taco rice, one-pan taco dinner, ground beef rice skillet, Tex-Mex rice recipes

Find it online: https://cookwithruby.com/cheesy-taco-rice-recipe/