Ground beef, taco seasoning, Minute Rice, salsa, and cheddar cheese come together in this crazy-easy One Pan Taco Rice recipe that’s made for busy weeknights.
< Remember it later! >
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
< Remember it later! >
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Okay. So, let me set the scene. It was one of those nights. You know… the kind where you’re already exhausted, the kids are acting like tiny tornados, and your brain is too fried to even think about cooking. Honestly? I was this close to ordering pizza. Again.
But there was this moment — like a spark — when I thought, “You can’t keep doing takeout. You’ve got groceries. Use them.” (Spoiler: I talk to myself when I’m hangry.)
I opened the fridge. Not much. Some ground beef. Cool. Glanced in the pantry — Minute Rice, taco seasoning, salsa. Okay… maybe this could work? I threw them together in a big pan, added some cheddar at the end because… cheese makes everything better, right?
And guess what? It worked. Actually, it didn’t just work — it was awesome. My husband literally said, “Oh wow, this is good.” And my kids? Cleared their plates faster than I’ve seen in ages. No complaints. No “what is this, Mom?” Looks of joy all around.
From that night on, One Pan Taco Rice became part of our emergency dinner rotation. And honestly? I’m not mad about it. It’s saved my butt more times than I can count.
Why You’ll Love This One Pan Taco Rice Recipe?
Real talk? Sometimes easy food gets a bad rap. But this One Pan Taco Rice is here to prove the haters wrong.
First up — the obvious win. One pan. Which means less dishes. If you’re anything like me, that alone makes it worth trying.
But also? It’s fast. Like, 25 minutes and you’re done fast. No fancy steps. No weird cooking terms you have to Google mid-recipe. It’s all super straightforward.
The flavors? Oh, they bring it. Think classic taco night vibes but in cozy, satisfying rice form. The ground beef is seasoned just right, the salsa adds that zippy punch, and the melted cheddar? It’s basically a warm hug on a plate.
Also, it’s so easy to make your own. Want heat? Add hot salsa. Need to stretch the meal? Toss in some beans or corn. It’s flexible and forgiving — which, let’s face it, we all need on busy nights.
Ingredient Notes:
Here’s what makes One Pan Taco Rice tick. And spoiler: it’s nothing wild.
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Ground Beef: Use whatever you’ve got. 80/20, 90/10… it’s not picky. Just make sure you drain the grease.
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Taco Seasoning: One packet makes life easy. Homemade is great too if you’ve got it, but no shame in store-bought.
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Water: Nothing exciting, but kinda crucial. It helps cook the rice and blend everything together.
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Minute Rice: The real MVP here. It cooks lightning fast and soaks up all that taco flavor like magic.
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Salsa: Mild, medium, spicy — your call. I use whatever’s in the fridge.
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Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Melty and glorious. Use more if you want. No judgment.
See? No weird ingredients or fancy steps. Just real-deal, easy stuff.
How To Make One Pan Taco Rice?
Alright, here’s the play-by-play. Nothing complicated. Nothing fancy. Let’s do this.
Step 1: Brown the beef.
Toss that ground beef into a big ol’ skillet. Break it up and cook until browned. Drain off the grease. Nobody wants oily taco rice (been there, regretted that).
Step 2: Add taco seasoning and water.
Sprinkle in the seasoning and pour in the water. Give it a good stir. Bring to a simmer. Smells good already, doesn’t it?
Step 3: Stir in Minute Rice.
Once things are bubbling, add the rice. Stir it in, cover the pan, and turn the heat down. Give it about 5 minutes to soak up all that taco goodness.
Step 4: Mix in salsa and cheese.
Take off the lid. Now comes the fun part — stir in the salsa and then the cheddar cheese. Stir until it’s all melty and gooey and you just know it’s gonna be delicious.
Step 5: Done. Serve and devour.
Turn off the heat and grab some bowls. Or heck, eat straight from the pan. (No judgment, I’ve totally done it.)
Want To Save This Recipe?
Storage Options:
Somehow have leftovers? You magical unicorn, you.
Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for about 3-4 days. When you’re ready to eat again, just microwave or warm it on the stove. Add a splash of water or salsa if it’s looking a little dry.
Freezing? Yep, you can. Just freeze in portions and reheat when you need them. The rice gets a tiny bit softer but trust me, it’s still great for lunch or lazy-night dinners.
Variations and Substitutions:
This recipe? It’s basically begging to be customized. Here’s how you can shake up your One Pan Taco Rice:
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Switch up the protein: Ground turkey, chicken, or even veggie crumbles all work.
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Make it spicy: Use hot salsa or toss in some diced jalapeños. Go wild.
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Add veggies: Corn, black beans, bell peppers — whatever’s hanging out in your fridge.
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Change the cheese: Pepper jack adds a nice kick. Or mix and match.
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Creamy twist: Stir in sour cream or cream cheese at the end for extra comfort food vibes.
Basically… have fun with it. This isn’t one of those recipes you have to follow perfectly. You do you.
What to Serve with One Pan Taco Rice?
Honestly? One Pan Taco Rice is amazing all by itself. But if you wanna round out dinner, here’s what works great:
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Tortilla chips: Perfect for scooping.
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Guacamole: Creamy and cool — balances the heat.
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Simple salad: Because you should have some greens. Should.
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Mexican street corn: When you’re feeling extra.
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More salsa or hot sauce: Always a good idea.
Mix and match or keep it simple. Up to you.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I make this ahead?
Totally. Reheats like a dream. Add a little water or salsa when reheating so it stays nice and moist.
Can I use regular rice instead of Minute Rice?
Technically, sure. But you’ll need to cook it longer and adjust the liquid. Minute Rice keeps it easy and fast, which is the whole point here.
Can I freeze it?
Yep! Rice gets a little softer but still tastes great. Perfect for meal prep or midnight cravings.
And there it is — One Pan Taco Rice, aka your new best friend on busy nights. Not fancy, not fussy… just simple, satisfying, and exactly what you need when cooking feels like too much.
So, are you gonna try it? I’d love to know if this saves your sanity like it did mine. Drop a comment or shoot me a message. Bonus points if you eat it straight from the pan like a true pro.
< Remember it later! >
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
< Remember it later! >
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Keep the Flavor Coming – Try These:
One Pan Taco Rice
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 2 c water
- 2 c Minute Rice uncooked
- 1 c salsa
- 1 c shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Start by browning the ground beef in a skillet and make sure to drain off any grease.
- Next, add the taco seasoning and water to the skillet. Give it a stir. Let it come to a boil.
- Once it starts boiling lower the heat and mix, in the Minute Rice. Cover it up. Let it cook for around 5 minutes until the rice becomes tender.
- Now take off the lid. Add some salsa and shredded cheddar cheese. Give everything a stir until the cheese melts completely.
- Finally, turn off the heat. There you have it! Your delicious One Pan Taco Rice is now ready to be enjoyed. Dig in!
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
