Name: 30-Minute Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef; 1 cup long grain white rice; 1 onion, diced; 1 cup water; 2 cups beef broth; 1 cup taco sauce; 1/2 cup ketchup; 6 oz. whole kernel corn; 2 tablespoon taco seasoning; 2 cups mozzarella, shredded; 2 tablespoon vegetable oil

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I love having an easy meal that is ready in no time on busy weeknights. My family absolutely loves this easy one-pot Mexican beef and rice skillet. It's hearty, perfect for a single bowl meal, and packed with flavor. Kids love the taco flavor in this, and you'll love that it's one meal you can whip up and have from stove to table in just 30-minutes on a busy day!

Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet

Taco night is a family favorite around here. Sometimes, though, I want something just a bit different. This Mexican skillet is one of my favorite choices. It's easy to make which is always a plus, but mostly, it's absolutely delicious. Of course, I'm going to add that to my meal plan regularly.

If you want a kid-friendly meal, this one definitely fits the need. There are all the things your kids will love, like cheese, sauce, and that taco flavor. You can serve this many different ways, but no matter what you do with this meal, it's going to be a clean plate meal with your family.

Can I Use Different Meat in This Skillet?

Beef is my standard choice when making this meal, but you can definitely substitute different ground meats. Many individuals like to use leaner cuts of meat like ground turkey or ground chicken. With the seasonings and cheese in this meal, you won't miss out on flavor. Below are some other options you might prefer if you aren't a fan of ground beef.

Shredded chicken
Pulled pork
Shredded turkey breast
Black beans or pinto beans
Vegetarian or Vegan meat crumbles (Gardein and Morning Star Farms are both excellent)
Jackfruit

Can I Add More Vegetables to This One-Pot Meal?

My favorites are onions and corn as they really fit into the theme of the Mexican night. I've also added black beans for more of a Southwest flavor. You can definitely mix and match any vegetables you prefer and make it fit your family preferences.

Some ideas for vegetables that work in this recipe include adding additional onions (red or yellow), bell peppers, mushrooms, or even jalapenos. Shredded zucchini, squash, carrots, or even cauliflower and broccoli work. I've even mixed in some refried beans to make the meat stretch further and add more creaminess to the meal. There is no wrong way to make this dish fit your preferences.

What Toppings Go with This Mexican Skillet?

What toppings do you like on your tacos or taco salad? That's what you want to put on your skillet! Like most Mexican dishes, the toppings are a huge part of how you customize the meal to suit your needs. I love that a taco bar idea works well with this skillet. I can simply lay out the toppings, this one-pot meal, and everyone can load up their plate to fit their flavor choices.

Lime wedges
Fresh chopped cilantro
Diced green onions
Jalapeno slices
Shredded lettuce
Diced tomatoes
Salsa in different varieties
Hot sauce or taco sauce
Sliced avocado
Additional cheese or queso sauce

You may also like to whip up this homemade tangy guacamole to serve alongside this skillet.

Is This Mexican Beef Skillet Keto Friendly?

As listed, this is not a low carb meal. The taco sauce, ketchup, corn, and rice are not low carb items. If you want to turn this into a keto-friendly meal, you can make a few minor substitutions to create a version that fits your dietary needs.

Cook the beef and vegetables as directed, but instead of adding in the rice and water, mix in riced cauliflower instead. Skip the additional water and broth, and instead, just mix in the seasonings and top with cheese as you normally would.

Choose keto-friendly toppings and you have an excellent weeknight choice that easily fits into your diet plan with zero guilt. Plus, even when made low in carbs, it is super kid-friendly still.

Ingredients

Ground beef
Rice
Onion
Water
Beef broth
Taco sauce
Ketchup
Corn
Taco seasoning
Mozzarella cheese
Vegetable oil

How to Make Mexican Beef and Rice

In a large skillet or dutch oven, heat vegetable oil on medium heat.

Add in the onions and saute over medium heat for 2-3 minutes or until they are beginning to turn translucent.

Next, add in the ground beef breaking it up with a spoon or meat chopper. Cook this meat for 8-10 minutes stirring occasionally and making sure you break up the meat as it cooks.

Mix in the taco seasoning and stir to combine.

Pour in the uncooked rice, corn, water, and beef broth and stir until all is incorporated.

Cover the skillet and simmer over medium heat for 15 minutes stirring 2-3 times while cooking.

There will be some liquid left after 15 minutes, if it appears to be overly wet, continue cooking for 3-5 more minutes. Some liquid remaining is expected.

Add half of the mozzarella to the skillet and stir until all combined then top with the remaining cheese.

Let stand for 5 minutes before serving with a sprinkle of cilantro on top if desired.

If you are looking for more yummy Mexican recipes for your menu plan, look no further! I would start with these spicy beef tacos or the delicious citrus carne asada tacos to begin. You can also whip up some of these authentic cheese antojitos as a starter.

This chicken enchilada casserole is another easy favorite that my kids love. Paired with a serving of chicken enchilada soup you have a delicious meal that everyone will devour. You might even enjoy this slow cooker chicken Mexican stew recipe or some easy walking tacos as simple low effort meals on your menu

Chef's Tips

For a slightly different flavor profile, I love using this carne asada seasoning blend in place of traditional taco seasoning.

📖 Recipe

Yield: 6