Mexican Beef Rice Skillet (Quick and Easy)

Mexican Beef Rice Skillet is a one-pan wonder, perfect for busy weeknights when you crave a hearty, delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

This quick and easy dish is flavorful and colorful. It features juicy ground beef, fluffy rice, colorful bell peppers, tomatoes, and black beans, and it is perfectly seasoned.

Whether you’re hosting a casual dinner or just looking for a comforting family meal, Mexican Beef Rice Skillet is ready in just 20 minutes with minimal cleanup. It’s the perfect recipe for any occasion, including Cinco de Mayo.

Why I love this recipe, and you will too!

• Although this recipe has a long list of ingredients, most are simple pantry staples you already have.
• Everything cooks in one skillet, like my Lemon Chicken Orzo Pasta and Cajun Sausage and Rice, which means fewer dishes to wash. This makes cleanup a breeze, allowing you to spend more time enjoying the meal and less time scrubbing pots and pans.
• Like my recipes for Walking Taco Casserole and Hamburger Noodle Casserole, it’s made with ground beef. It’s easy, with only a few steps, and it calls for minimal prep.

Ingredient notes and substitutions:

Don’t be deterred by the long ingredient list. While this recipe calls for more ingredients than most of my recipes, you just dump them in the pan and let them cook. All measurements can be found in the recipe card below.

• Ground beef – adds a rich, savory beef flavor and is the backbone of the dish.
• Garlic, onion, red and yellow bell pepper, canned petite diced tomatoes, black beans, and corn – add tons of flavor, nutrients, and texture.
• Brown rice – serves as the foundation of this dish and ties everything together. You can substitute white rice if you prefer.
• Beef broth – adds moisture and a rich, savory flavor.
• Cheddar cheese – provides a cheesy flavor and creaminess.
• Taco seasoning and red pepper flakes – offer a convenient way to add multiple layers of flavor without needing to measure and mix individual spices. I like to use mild or original taco seasonings, and the red pepper flakes spice things up.
• Sour cream, sliced tomatoes, black olives, and cilantro – are used to top the dish and provide more flavor and color.

How to make this recipe for Mexican Beef Rice Skillet:

1. Add the ground beef, onion, peppers, and garlic to a large skillet over medium heat. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes or until the juices run clear.

2. Drain the meat if there is excess fat.

3. Add the tomatoes, black beans, corn, rice, beef broth, cheddar cheese, taco seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Turn the heat up to high so it comes to a boil.

4. Turn the burner off and add a lid. Keep the lid on for 10 minutes or until most of the liquid has absorbed. Mix everything together.

5. Serve with dollops of sour cream, sliced small tomatoes, black olives, and cilantro along with your favorite sides.

Serving suggestions:

This ground beef recipe is a meal in one and doesn’t need any sides. I might add Mexican Chopped Salad or Jalapeno Cornbread if we have company. A Frozen Margarita would round out the meal perfectly.

Recipe variations:

You can substitute ground turkey, chicken, or Italian sausage for the ground beef.

You can also swap out the cheddar cheese for your favorite cheese and add more if you like. And, of course, you can always vary the toppings to please the picky eaters in your family.

You could also add extra vegetables such as corn, zucchini, asparagus, or broccoli to enhance the nutritional value and flavor.

Make it ahead:

This one-pot Mexican meal can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Don’t add the toppings until you are ready to serve it. Reheat it on the stove and add a splash of beef stock or water if it looks dry.

How to store and reheat leftovers:

Leftovers can be stored covered in the fridge for up to four days. If you leave them in the skillet, just reheat them on the stove in the pan they were originally cooked and stored in. They can also be frozen up to 3 months.

Leftovers are versatile and can be reused in several ways. They can be stuffed into tacos, enchiladas, and burritos or used as a topping for nachos.

Recipe FAQs:

More Mexican inspired main dishes

⭐ ⭐ ⭐⭐⭐ If you make this dish, please leave a comment and give this recipe a star rating. I would love to know how you liked it!

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