Cheesy Taco Skillet
A quick and comforting one-pan dish featuring savory seasoned beef, beans, corn, and a cheesy topping, ready in under 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef Substitute ground turkey or plant-based crumbles.
- 1 can black beans Drained and rinsed.
- 1 can corn Drained (or 1 cup frozen corn, thawed).
- 2 cups ready rice Use instant/ready-to-heat rice; or 2 cups of cooked rice.
- 1 cup shredded cheese Cheddar or Mexican blend, Pepper Jack for heat.
- 1 packet taco seasoning Use low-sodium if desired.
- 1 cup water Hot tap water helps rice warm faster.
- to taste Salt and pepper Adjust seasoning after cooking.
Instructions
Preparation
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and brown, breaking it into small pieces until no pink remains, about 6–8 minutes.
- Drain excess fat if needed.
Cooking
- Reduce the heat slightly. Add the taco seasoning, drained black beans, drained corn, and 1 cup water. Scrape up any browned bits and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Stir in the ready rice until evenly combined and coated with the seasoned juices.
- Cover the skillet and cook for about 5 minutes, until heated through.
- Remove from heat. Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly across the top, cover again, and let sit for 2–3 minutes until cheese is melted.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, give a final gentle stir, and serve warm.
Notes
For a lower-sodium meal, rinse beans well and use low-sodium taco seasoning. Add ½ tsp smoked paprika for a smokier flavor. For creaminess, stir in ¼ cup sour cream after removing from heat.