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Easy Cheesy One-Skillet Ground Beef Taco Rice Casserole

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A quick and comforting one-skillet casserole combining taco-spiced ground beef, fluffy rice, and melted cheddar cheese, perfect for busy family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup bell pepper, diced (red or green)
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 1 ½ cups beef broth (low-sodium preferred)
  • 2 tbsp taco seasoning (chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, cayenne)
  • 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a medium-to-large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain excess fat if needed, leaving a little for flavor.
  2. Add diced onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Cook until softened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  3. Stir in uncooked rice and taco seasoning, coating the rice well with oil and spices. Toast the rice lightly for about 2 minutes.
  4. Pour in beef broth, tomato sauce, and frozen corn. Stir well, scraping the bottom to loosen browned bits.
  5. Bring mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover skillet and simmer for 18-20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed. Avoid lifting the lid during cooking.
  6. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Cover again and let cheese melt for about 5 minutes until bubbly and slightly browned.
  7. Remove from heat, season with salt and pepper to taste, and fluff rice gently before serving. Optionally garnish with chopped cilantro or a squeeze of lime.

Notes

Do not lift the lid while simmering to ensure rice cooks evenly. Fresh-shredded cheese melts better than pre-shredded. Use quick-cooking rice to reduce cooking time but watch liquid levels. For a vegetarian version, substitute beef with tofu or lentils and use vegetable broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: one skillet, ground beef, taco rice casserole, quick dinner, cheesy casserole, family meal, easy recipe

Find it online: https://cravemila.com/easy-cheesy-one-skillet-ground-beef-taco-rice-casserole-recipe-for-quick-family-dinners/