Description

A quick, one-pan weeknight dinner featuring ground beef, fluffy long-grain rice, salsa, and melted cheese. It’s budget-friendly, easy to clean up, and tastes like restaurant-quality comfort food.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound ground beef (80/20 lean)
1 cup long-grain white rice (uncooked)
1 ¾ cups water or low-sodium beef broth
1 tablespoon neutral oil (vegetable or canola)
1 medium yellow onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 packet taco seasoning (1 ounce)
1 cup medium chunky salsa (240g)
1 can black beans (15 oz), drained and rinsed
2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese
Optional toppings: sour cream, chopped cilantro, sliced jalapeños, guacamole, hot sauce

Instructions

Prep ingredients: Dice onion, mince garlic, and drain beans. Measure rice and seasoning.
Heat oil in a large 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and diced onion. Break up beef and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned. Drain excess grease if necessary.
Reduce heat to medium. Add taco seasoning and stir to coat beef. Pour in salsa and simmer for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and slightly thickened.
Stir in uncooked rice and water (or broth). Ensure rice is submerged. Stir well to combine.
Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover tightly with a lid and simmer for 15-18 minutes without peeking. Check for tenderness; cook 2-3 more minutes if needed.
Remove skillet from heat. Stir in drained black beans. Sprinkle cheese evenly over the top. Cover and let sit for 2-3 minutes until cheese is melted.
Fluff rice with a fork. Serve immediately with optional toppings.

Notes

Do not rinse the rice; the starch helps thicken the sauce. Use low-sodium broth to control saltiness. Ensure the skillet lid seals well to trap steam; use foil if necessary. Do not peek while rice is simmering. This recipe is naturally gluten-free if the taco seasoning is certified GF. It does not freeze well due to the dairy.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 450
Sugar: 4
Sodium: 680
Fat: 18
Saturated Fat: 8
Carbohydrates: 48
Fiber: 4
Protein: 22

Keywords: one-pan meal, ground beef, taco skillet, easy dinner, weeknight dinner, cheesy rice, budget meal, family friendly