Cheesy Taco Rice

If there’s one thing I can always count on to make my family smile at the dinner table, it’s this Cheesy Taco Rice. It’s cozy, filling, and packed with those classic taco flavors that everyone seems to love—only this time, it’s all happening in one skillet. That means no taco shells to fall apart, no mess all over the counter, and definitely no stack of dishes to tackle afterward. It’s a total weeknight win!

Now, if you’re like me and constantly hunting for meals that check all the boxes—easy, budget-friendly, picky-eater approved—this one’s going to become a regular in your rotation. The combo of seasoned ground beef, tender rice, melty cheese, and a kick from the salsa just hits the spot. And the best part? You can tweak it however you like. Use ground turkey instead of beef, add in black beans, throw in some chopped bell peppers… the possibilities are endless.

Let me walk you through exactly how to make this crowd-pleasing dish. We’ll keep it simple, straightforward, and stress-free—because dinner should never feel like a chore.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 pound ground beef

• 1 small onion, diced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 packet taco seasoning

• 1 cup long-grain white rice

• 2 cups beef broth or water

• 1 cup canned corn, drained

• 1 cup salsa

• 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese

• Salt and black pepper to taste

• Optional toppings: fresh cilantro, green onions, sour cream

STEP 1: Brown the Ground Beef

First things first—grab a large, deep skillet and heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add your ground beef and cook it until it’s completely browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. If there’s a lot of grease in the pan, go ahead and drain off the excess fat. We want flavor, not grease puddles.

This is also where the kitchen starts to smell pretty amazing. There’s something about that sizzling beef that instantly gets everyone peeking into the kitchen, asking, “What’s for dinner?”

STEP 2: Add Onion and Garlic

Once the beef is cooked, toss in your diced onion and minced garlic. Cook it all together for another 2–3 minutes until the onion starts to soften and the garlic becomes fragrant. This step builds a lot of the flavor base, so don’t skip it!

If you’re feeling a little spicy, you can even add in a chopped jalapeño here for some heat.

STEP 3: Bring on the Taco Flavor

Now it’s time for that classic taco kick. Stir in one packet of taco seasoning, making sure it evenly coats the beef and onions. You can use a store-bought packet or your favorite homemade blend if you’ve got one. Personally, I keep a few packets on hand at all times for quick dinners like this one.

Immediately after adding the seasoning, stir in the uncooked rice, beef broth (or water), corn, and salsa. Everything comes together right in the skillet. Give it all a good stir to combine.

This is where the magic happens—you’re layering flavor upon flavor in a single pan. The rice soaks up all that delicious broth and seasoning while cooking, and the salsa adds a tangy kick that really brightens everything up.

STEP 4: Simmer to Perfection

Once everything’s mixed together, bring the skillet to a gentle simmer. Lower the heat to low, cover with a lid, and let it cook undisturbed for about 18 to 20 minutes. Be sure to check in once or twice and give it a gentle stir just to make sure nothing’s sticking to the bottom.

By the time the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed, you’re going to have one seriously satisfying skillet full of taco goodness. But don’t worry—we’re not done yet. There’s cheese involved. Lots of it.

Now that your rice is perfectly tender and all those bold taco flavors have simmered into the dish, it’s time for the best part—the cheese. This is what takes Cheesy Taco Rice from a tasty skillet dinner to total comfort food territory. Melty, gooey, and completely irresistible.

If you’re cooking for cheese lovers (and let’s be real—who isn’t?), you might want to go a little heavier with the cheese. This dish is super forgiving, and it’s all about what you and your crew like best.

Let’s jump back into the final steps and then talk about some quick tips and variations to help you make this recipe your own.

STEP 5: Stir in the Cheese

Once the rice is cooked through and there’s no liquid left in the skillet, go ahead and remove it from the heat. Now, stir in half of your shredded cheese—that’s about ¾ cup if you’re sticking to the recipe. You’ll see it start to melt right into the hot rice and beef, making everything creamy and extra satisfying.

Use a good-quality cheddar or Mexican blend cheese here. You want something that melts easily but also adds that classic cheesy flavor. If you’re using pre-shredded cheese, give it a quick fluff before adding it to avoid clumps.

STEP 6: Add the Final Cheese Layer

Sprinkle the remaining ¾ cup of cheese evenly over the top of the rice. Then, cover the skillet again (you don’t need to turn the heat back on) and let it sit for 2–3 minutes. The residual heat will melt that final layer of cheese into a perfectly gooey topping.

There’s just something about lifting that lid and seeing all that melty cheese on top—it’s the kind of thing that makes you want to dive right in with a spoon.

STEP 7: Top and Serve

Now comes the fun part: toppings! You can keep it simple, or go all out depending on your mood (or what’s in the fridge).

Here are a few topping ideas that work really well with this dish:

• Fresh chopped cilantro

• Sliced green onions

• A dollop of sour cream

• A drizzle of hot sauce for some kick

• Sliced avocado or a spoonful of guacamole

Scoop it into bowls and serve hot. It’s the kind of meal that makes people go quiet for a minute because they’re too busy enjoying it.

Tips & Variations to Make It Your Own

One of the best things about this recipe is how flexible it is. Once you’ve made it once, you’ll start to come up with your own favorite ways to mix it up. Here are some of my go-to tips and variations:

Make It Lighter

• Swap the ground beef for lean ground turkey or chicken. It still tastes amazing but cuts down on fat and calories.

• Use reduced-fat cheese if you’re looking to lighten it up a bit.

Add Extra Veggies

• Stir in chopped bell peppers, zucchini, or even a handful of spinach when you add the onions and garlic.

• Toss in a drained can of black beans with the corn to bulk it up with more fiber and protein.

Spice It Up

• Use a spicy salsa or add a diced jalapeño with the onion for extra heat.

• A sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes or a few dashes of hot sauce also do the trick.

Get Creative with Leftovers

• Use leftovers as a filling for burritos or tacos.

• Stuff it into bell peppers, top with cheese, and bake for an easy second-day meal.

• Reheat and top with a fried egg for a savory, Tex-Mex-style breakfast.