This one pot taco rice skillet is one of the easiest- and incredibly delicious- meals I have made in a long time- and it is one that tastes even better as leftovers!
In a quest to make more effortless meals that work well in leftovers, I’ve been trying to come up with more one pot meals. There is something fantastic about the one pot meal- not only is it easier to only have to clean one pot, but they tend to be simpler, easier recipes that are perfect for busy families who need warm, comforting meals to come around at night.
This dish is so versatile, you could add more veggies, add beans or even change up the meat from beef to chicken, turkey, or even a meat substitute. It is fabulous in tacos and burritos, salad bowls- or even baked in a bell pepper! Of course, this is incredibly delicious on it’s own too. There is just something you can’t beat about a creamy, spicy and rich dish that you can make in under 40 minutes in just one pan!
I got the idea for this taco skillet from my good friend Melissa’s One Pan Chicken Burrito Bowls.
Melissa is the queen of one pot meals- and these look so insanely delicious!
Be sure to check out her recipe- she even has a burrito bowl recipe that you can cook in the slow cooker!
I made my dish a little more rice based to eat more like a side dish- it is fantastic in tacos, salads, burritos- and even in stuffed peppers!
Of course, this rice skillet is also fabulously delicious on its own- I got a bit carried away sampling it straight out of the pan!
I actually make a big double batch every time I make this because it saves so well- you can even freeze it in a high quality freezer bag.
I actually think it even tastes better a few days after making it- and since it is so versatile, you can add it to different recipes each day without feeling like you’re eating the same leftovers again and again.
I didn’t add beans to my recipe, but you can easily add a can of drained pinto or black beans when you add the rice to this dish if you’d like!
- 1lb ground beef
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2 bell peppers, diced
- 1 8oz can diced tomatoes with green chilis
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 cup long grain white rice (NOT minute rice)
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup beef stock
- 2 tsp cumin
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or jack cheese
- green onions, to garnish
- In a large pan, brown beef.
- When beef is lightly browned, add diced onions and peppers.
- Cook until beef is fully cooked, onions and peppers are soft.
- Add can of tomatoes with green chili- no need to drain.
- Add salsa, rice, water and stock.
- Stir well to combine.
- Add in spices and mix, cover.
- Let simmer on low until rice is soft and liquid has cooked off.
- Top with cheese, stir in until it melts.
- Serve!
- 1lb ground beef
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2 bell peppers, diced
- 1 8oz can diced tomatoes with green chilis
- 1 cup salsa (optional)
- 1 cup long grain white rice (NOT minute rice)
- 2 cups beef stock
- 2 tsp cumin
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or jack cheese
- green onions, cilantro, olives, to garnish
- In a large pan, brown beef.
- When beef is lightly browned, add diced onions and peppers.
- Cook until beef is fully cooked, onions and peppers are soft.
- Add can of tomatoes with green chili- no need to drain.
- Add salsa, rice, water and stock.
- Stir well to combine.
- Add in spices and mix, cover.
- Let simmer on low until rice is soft and liquid has cooked off.
- Top with cheese, stir in until it melts.
- Serve!
Any recipe that uses one pot to cook in, is a plus in my books. This is a very tasty dish. No other sides were needed.
This was super easy and my three girls and I loved it. Many thanks!
This was just so tasty!! Thanks for sharing.
How many servings would you recommend? And would you eat this as a full meal or strictly as a side?
I often give myself one serving to two servings (depending on how starving I am), and I love to put it over lettuce to be a large all-in-one meal. Sometimes though we will spoon this directly into taco shells or tortillas and then serve with a salad or beans on the side. It’s really adaptable- try out lots of twists to find what you love!
This was very very good everyone loved it. I added corn and if I make this and my son in not home I’m going to add kidney beans!
I made this for supper tonight. It was very good. I’m diabetic so I used cauliflower rice instead of the rice. Husband didn’t even notice.
That’s awesome! We just got really into cauliflower rice… it is so good!
This is a delicious recipe!! I spiced it up with some fresh jalapeño and added some lemon & black olives. Delicious! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing this delicious recipe on Weekend Bites! Find it on April 23rd’s features on Practical Parenting Ideas!
It’s hard to go wrong with taco seasoning, and with this skillet it looks like you got everything right!
This sounds wonderful! My whole family loves Mexican and I love easy! this will definitely be on next week’s menu!
I adore this one pot meal – we love mexican night, and I will be adding this to our taco Tuesday menu plan for sure
I shared this on Twitter and G+. I bookmarked this for later! It is the perfect marriage of Asian food (rice) and Mexican food (taco) which is representative of my household! I also like to make taco spaghetti. Oooh, making me hungry! Blessings and have a great week~
This is one tasty skillet of rice! Fantastic recipe!
I am drooling over this taco rice! I will be featuring you this week, at Simple Supper Tuesday. We hope you can join us again, starting Monday night at 8pm, EST.
Yum this looks great. I would love to try this dish.
Julie
Thank you for linking up with #wordlesswednesday
co-host – http://www.julieinthemaking.com/
This recipe looks amazing! I HAVE to try this – we love Mexican food, and the easier it is for me to prepare, the better. Thanks so much for sharing this. I found you on “This Is How We Roll Thursday.”
Mmmm! This makes me super hungry just looking at your pics! Pinning for sure! Adding this to my menu for next week! Thanks for the recipe!
This was absolutely amazing …. I misread the recipe and only had minute rice on hand …. so I omitted the water and added 1/2 cup more rice and it was perfect …. thanks for the new meal!!
About How long does it need to simmer?
Some of that depends on your rice, where you live, etc- but about 10-15 minutes.
Absolutely delicious! I added some frozen corn and drained, rinsed black beans and used ground chicken rather then beef. So flavorful!