Looking for a quick and easy weeknight dinner? This Mexican beef and rice skillet is a favorite for us since it is so simple to make. Best of all? It comes together quickly with whatever you happen to have on hand. This is a great ground beef dinner that will be loved by all, and is super versatile.
Why Make A Skillet Meal?
I love skillet meals, and this Mexican beef and rice casserole is super simple to make. It comes together in 30 minutes and is a great weeknight meal, especially on those busy weeknights.
The key ingredients here are of course, rice and ground beef. They are joined by tomato sauce, beef stock, and taco seasoning to make a just about perfect meal. This taco casserole with rice is easy to make and even the pickiest of eaters will love these deconstructed tacos.
You can add any veggies you like to this easy Mexican skillet, we like to go with some of our favorites like corn and onions.
The ground beef is sautéed, then vegetables are added. Then, just add the rice and liquid and cook until the rice is soft – about 15 to 20 minutes.
That’s it! That’s all there is to it.
Ingredients Needed
Get more info on these simple ingredients, like the full list of ingredients, in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- ground beef- this can be swapped out with ground pork, ground chicken, ground turkey or a meat mixture
- small onion
- corn – we used canned corn, but fresh corn or frozen corn will work also
- beef broth- you can swap this out for water, chicken broth or vegetable broth if desired
- cup water
- salsa
- tomato sauce
- long grain rice
- salt
- garlic powder
- taco seasoning
- shredded cheese
What’s the best kind of long grain rice to use in this skillet?
The best kind of long grain rice to use in this skillet is white long grain rice. It has a neutral flavor and a light texture that pairs well with the other ingredients.
Brown rice can also be used, but it will take longer to cook and may result in a slightly chewier texture.
In the end, it comes down to personal preference of what you and your whole family will enjoy. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly if using brown rice.
How to Make A Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet
- In a large skillet, brown beef over medium heat. Drain excess fat and remove from pan.
- Add onion and saute over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes until translucent.
- Add the cooked beef back to the pan along with garlic powder and taco seasoning.
- Add beef stock, water, tomato sauce, corn, and salsa to the pan and stir well.
- Add rice to the pan.
- Bring to a boil.
- Simmer for about 20 minutes, until the rice has cooked through, stirring frequently. If rice begins to stick, add more water to the pan.
- Sprinkle 1 cup of cheese over the pan, and allow to melt.
- Remove from heat and serve.
Storage
Leftovers can be transferred to an airtight container and should be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Tips and Variations
- You can homemade taco seasoning in place of a packet of seasoning if desired.
- There are all sorts of additions and toppings that you can add. I shared some of my favorites for this beef and rice skillet recipe below in the FAQ section.
- If you don’t want to use lean ground beef you can use other lean meat like lean ground chicken or ground turkey for this one-skillet dinner. Just be sure to drain any excess grease, like you would beef after the browning step.
- For a little crunch, add some crushed corn chips on top of your Beef and Mexican Rice Skillet.
- Love Mexican flavors? Try these Mini Salad Bowls, Sheet Pan Ground Beef Quesadillas, and my Taco Pasta Recipe.
Can I Add More Vegetables to This One-Pot Meal?
You bet! You can add whatever you would like to this one pot meal. Some other ideas are your favorite canned beans, tomatoes, any bell peppers like green pepper, red pepper, yellow or orange peppers, squash, broccoli, and cauliflower.
Can I freeze Mexican Beef and Rice Casserole?
This Mexican beef and rice skillet is a great freezer meal! To freeze, prepare it according to the directions, but leave the cheese off.
When it is time to reheat, add the cheese and, just like other freezer meals, bake until the cheese is bubbly and the casserole has warmed through, about half an hour to 45 minutes in a preheated oven.
What to Serve with Mexican Ground Beef and Rice?
This meal is a one pot wonder! Some great side items to serve with this easy meal are your favorite tortillas, salad, tortilla chips, or taco shells. It makes a great taco or burrito filling too!
One of the best parts of this dish are the leftovers. The best thing about leftovers, are you can use them in tacos, burritos, or even quesadillas!
What Toppings Go with This Mexican Skillet?
This Mexican skillet can be topped with everyone’s favorite taco or fajita toppings. I like to create a little taco bar so that everyone can add their favorites and really customize this super simple meal.
Here are some of our favorite toppings:
- Salsa or Pico de gallo
- Guacamole or Avocado
- Black beans or any kind of beans
- Bell peppers
- Diced tomatoes
- Taco sauce
- More cheese, especially cheddar cheese or a Mexican cheese blend
- Lettuce
- Raw onion
- Sour cream
- Green onions
- Green chilies
- Hot sauce
Think of this like a little make your own taco bar, and pick all of your favorite taco toppings from Taco Tuesday or your last Cinco de Mayo party to add to your Mexican ground beef skillet!
Looking for more easy family recipes? Try these!
- Easy BBQ Chicken Sliders {Thanks, Instant Pot!}
- Easy Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings With Biscuits
- How to Make Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Nuggets
Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet {Deconstructed Easy Burritos}
This is a quick and easy weeknight meal ready in less than 30 minutes. It is packed with flavor, and has meat, rice, and vegetables all in one pan!
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 15 oz can of corn (frozen or fresh corn works too)
- 1 cup beef broth (or water)
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 to 1 cup salsa
- 8 oz tomato sauce
- 1 cup long grain rice
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning (one packet)
- 1 cup shredded cheese
Instructions
- In a large skillet, brown beef over medium heat. Drain and remove from pan.
- Add onion and saute for 2-3 minutes until translucent.
- Add the ground beef back to the pan along with garlic powder and taco seasoning.
- Add beef stock, water, tomato sauce, corn and salsa to pan and stir well.
- Add rice to pan.
- Bring to a boil.
- Simmer for about 20 minutes, until the rice has cooked through, stirring frequently. If rice begins to stick, add more water to the pan.
- Sprinkle 1 cup of cheese over the pan, and allow to melt.
- Remove from heat and serve.
Notes
Feel free to add additioanl vegetables to this dish as you like. You can also add a can of your favorite beans! This meal stands on its own, and is also great with your favorite tortillas and taco or fajita toppings.
It also tastes great with ground chicken!