Cheesy Taco Rice
Are you ready to dive into a bowl of pure comfort? Cheesy Taco Rice is the ultimate fusion dish that combines all your favorite taco ingredients into one cheesy, hearty meal. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a dish that will impress at your next gathering, this recipe checks all the boxes. It’s colorful, flavorful, and packed with everything you love about tacos—all served on a bed of fluffy rice and topped with melted cheese. Let’s get cooking!
Why It Deserves a Spot
This Cheesy Taco Rice deserves a prime spot on your dinner table for several reasons. Firstly, it’s incredibly versatile. You can customize it with your favorite toppings, making it a hit with both kids and adults. Secondly, it’s a one-pan meal, which means fewer dishes and more time enjoying your meal. Finally, it’s packed with protein, fiber, and flavor, making it a nutritious option that doesn’t skimp on taste.
What You’ll Gather
To whip up this delicious dish, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 medium bell red pepper, diced
- 1 pound lean ground beef or ground turkey
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 teaspoons taco seasoning
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 10 ounces diced tomatoes and green chiles (1 can, undrained, such as Rotel)
- 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
- 15 ounces black beans (1 can, drained and rinsed)
- 1½ cups frozen corn kernels
- 1½ cups Colby Jack cheese, shredded (about 6 ounces)
For topping, you can use:
- Diced tomatoes
- Pico de gallo
- Sour cream
- Jalapeños
- Additional cheese
- Avocados
- Guacamole
Before You Start: Equipment
Before you dive into making your Cheesy Taco Rice, make sure you have the following equipment handy:
- Large skillet or sauté pan: A deep pan works best for mixing everything together.
- Measuring cups and spoons: Accurate measurements are key to a well-seasoned dish.
- Wooden spoon or spatula: Perfect for stirring ingredients together.
- Chef’s knife and cutting board: Essential for chopping your vegetables.
- Can opener: For your canned ingredients.
From Start to Finish: Cheesy Taco Rice
Now that you have everything ready, let’s get started on making your Cheesy Taco Rice.
Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics
In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the diced yellow onion and red bell pepper. Sauté for about 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are softened. This step lays the foundation for a flavor-packed dish.
Step 2: Brown the Meat
Next, add 1 pound of lean ground beef or ground turkey to the skillet. Cook until the meat is browned, breaking it apart with a spatula. This should take about 5-7 minutes. The goal is to get that nice, caramelized flavor from the meat.
Step 3: Add Garlic and Seasoning
Once your meat is cooked through, stir in the minced garlic, 4 teaspoons of taco seasoning, 1 teaspoon of fine sea salt, and ½ teaspoon of fresh ground black pepper. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant. This is where the magic starts!
Step 4: Incorporate the Liquids
Pour in 2 cups of low sodium chicken broth and the undrained can of diced tomatoes and green chiles. Bring everything to a gentle boil, stirring to combine all the flavors.
Step 5: Add Rice and Cook
Once boiling, stir in 1 cup of uncooked long-grain white rice. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for about 18-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
Step 6: Mix in the Beans and Corn
When the rice is fully cooked, gently fold in the drained and rinsed black beans and 1½ cups of frozen corn kernels. Allow the mixture to heat through for about 3-5 minutes.
Step 7: Add the Cheese
Finally, sprinkle 1½ cups of shredded Colby Jack cheese over the top of the mixture. Cover the skillet again and let it sit for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and gooey.
Step 8: Serve and Enjoy
Your Cheesy Taco Rice is now ready to be served! Spoon it into bowls and garnish with your favorite toppings like diced tomatoes, pico de gallo, sour cream, jalapeños, additional cheese, avocados, or guacamole. Enjoy every cheesy bite!
If You’re Out Of…
Running low on an ingredient? No worries! Here are some substitutes you can use:
- Ground beef or turkey: Substitute with ground chicken or even a plant-based meat alternative.
- Colby Jack cheese: Cheddar or Monterey Jack are great alternatives.
- Chicken broth: Vegetable broth works perfectly if you prefer a vegetarian option.
- Diced tomatoes and green chiles: Use plain diced tomatoes and add a dash of hot sauce for spice.
Watch Outs & How to Fix
Here are some common issues you might encounter and how to fix them:
- Rice not cooking properly: Make sure you’re using the right type of rice. Long-grain white rice is ideal, but if you use brown rice, adjust the cooking time accordingly.
- Too watery: If your rice dish is too soupy, simply uncover the skillet and let it simmer for a few more minutes until some of the liquid evaporates.
- Burnt bottom: If you notice the rice is sticking to the bottom, reduce the heat immediately and stir frequently to prevent burning.
Keep It Fresh: Storage Guide
If you have leftovers (though we doubt there will be many!), here’s how to store your Cheesy Taco Rice:
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheating: Reheat in a microwave or on the stovetop, adding a splash of water or broth to prevent drying out.
Popular Questions
Can I make Cheesy Taco Rice ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare it in advance and store it in the fridge. Just reheat when you’re ready to serve.
Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
Yes, but you will need to adjust the cooking time and liquid amounts. Brown rice generally requires more liquid and a longer cooking time.
Is it possible to make this dish vegetarian?
Yes! Simply substitute the meat with a plant-based protein and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
What toppings do you recommend for Cheesy Taco Rice?
Top it with your favorites! Diced tomatoes, jalapeños, sour cream, guacamole, and fresh cilantro all make excellent additions.
Quick Weeknight Wins
If you’re looking for more quick and easy meals for busy weeknights, check out these recipes:
Final Thoughts
In a world full of culinary choices, Cheesy Taco Rice stands out as a delightful and satisfying dish that brings together the best of taco flavors with the comfort of cheesy rice. Its flexibility allows you to make it your own, and it’s a fantastic way to feed a crowd or enjoy a cozy meal at home. So gather your ingredients, put on your apron, and get ready to impress with this easy yet delicious meal that everyone will love. Enjoy!
Cheesy Taco Rice
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the diced yellow onion and red bell pepper. Sauté for about 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are softened.
- Next, add 1 pound of lean ground beef or ground turkey to the skillet. Cook until the meat is browned, breaking it apart with a spatula, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic, 4 teaspoons of taco seasoning, 1 teaspoon of fine sea salt, and ½ teaspoon of fresh ground black pepper. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant.
- Pour in 2 cups of low sodium chicken broth and the undrained can of diced tomatoes and green chiles. Bring everything to a gentle boil, stirring to combine all the flavors.
- Stir in 1 cup of uncooked long-grain white rice. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for about 18-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
- Gently fold in the drained and rinsed black beans and 1½ cups of frozen corn kernels. Allow the mixture to heat through for about 3-5 minutes.
- Sprinkle 1½ cups of shredded Colby Jack cheese over the top of the mixture. Cover the skillet again and let it sit for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and gooey.
- Spoon the Cheesy Taco Rice into bowls and garnish with your favorite toppings like diced tomatoes, pico de gallo, sour cream, jalapeños, additional cheese, avocados, or guacamole. Enjoy!
Notes
- Customize with your favorite toppings for a personalized touch.
- This dish can be made vegetarian by using plant-based protein and vegetable broth.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
