Beef Taco Rice Skillet

This delicious Beef Tacos Rice Skillet recipe is a Mexican-inspired, one-skillet meal idea. It’s tasty, full of tender ground beef, enchilada sauce, diced peppers and onions, rice, and cheese. It’s excellent as a quick main, in a taco bowl, or a burrito.

My family loves tacos, but Taco Tuesday can get pretty dull if you don’t explore and try different tacos from time to time. That’s why we love finding new, taco-infused dishes like our Baked Tacos, our amazing Chicken Fajita Bake, and this flavorful Beef Taco Rice Skillet. These main dishes bring those great taco flavors to the table in a fun new way to keep the taste buds happy.

How to Make a Beef Taco Rice Skillet

The BEST thing about this Beef Taco Rice Skillet is that it’s a one-pan meal idea! Just kidding. It’s the delicious flavor, but I do like not having a mountain of dishes to clean. This is a quick and straightforward skillet recipe. Perfect for busy week nights and families!

Ingredients for an Easy Taco SKillet

• 1 pound lean ground beef
  • You will not be draining off the grease, so lean is best!
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 large bell pepper, red, yellow, or orange, chopped
  • We love peppers and throw in more than enough.
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 Tablespoons tomato paste
• 10 ounces, 1 can, red enchilada sauce
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 Tablespoons taco seasoning
• 2 cups minute rice
  • If you use long-grain rice, adjust the beef broth and cooking times accordingly.
• 2 cups beef broth
  • We use Better than Bouillon Base.
• 1 cup shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese
• Optional: shredded lettuce, limes, cilantro, avocado, and/or hot sauce

Equipment Used and LOVED!

5Q Enamel Cast Iron Skillet

Glass Prep and Mixing Bowls

Instructions for an Easy Taco Skillet with Rice

First, in a large skillet, brown the meat over medium heat with chopped onions and peppers, continually breaking apart the meat as it cooks.

Once the meat is brown and no longer pink, mix in the tomato paste, red enchilada sauce, water, salt, and taco seasoning.

Then, add the minute rice and beef broth, stir, and keep the rice submerged in the broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, then turn off the heat. Cover the skillet with a lid and let it sit for 5-10 minutes, allowing the rice to absorb the liquid.

Finally, top the beef and rice with cheese and cover again until the cheese is melted. And enjoy!

Serving Beef Taco Rice Skillet

This taco skillet can be enjoyed in many ways. Our family loves to eat it as a Mexican chip dip with tortilla chips. It’s an easy nacho topping. It’s excellent in a flour-tortilla wrap with lettuce and sour cream, perfect for a soft taco or burrito. It’s also great plain for an easy main.

Storing Leftovers

Store this taco meat and rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat it on the stove, in the oven, or the microwave. This Beef Taco Rice Skillet reheats well, making it an ideal choice for meal prep and quick lunches.

Other Great Meal Ideas

This Easy Chicken Fajita Bake recipe is a tasty way to enjoy Mexican food. It’s great for making tacos, burritos, or a taco bowl. This versatile recipe works in many ways and reheats well, making it perfect for meal planning.

For lighter, summertime meal ideas, try our Egg Roll in a Bowl or Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet with Vegetables. These one-pan dishes are packed with great protein and fiber, keeping you full and healthy!

Pasta will always hold a special place in my heart. This Creamy Ground Beef and Bowtie Pasta dish is always a hit, thanks to its subtle flavors!