During busy weeknights, one-skillet meals become our dinner saviors. This family-friendly, quick recipe is one of our go-to when we need a satisfying dinner on the table in under 1/2 hour. Featuring ground beef, flavorful rice, hearty beans, and lots of cheese, this Mexican beef and rice skillet all comes together in just 30 minutes with minimal prep. It’s a total weeknight dinner win—we won’t blame you if it becomes a staple on your weeknight rotation. Tip: We cook rice at least twice a week, so I always fill the rice cooker and freeze the extra.
Frugal Mexican Beef ‘N’ Rice Skillet [Kid’s Love]
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 large onion chopped
- 1 cup cooked white or brown rice
- 1 can Rotel tomatoes diced
- 1 15-oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained (You can use red chili beans, in a pinch.)
- 1 1/2 cups whole corn fresh, frozen, or canned
- 1 4-oz. can green chiles
- 1 packet Taco Seasoning
- dash of salt
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar and Monterey jack
- Opt: cilantro or jalapeños to garnish
- Opt: Refried beans goes with meal
Method
- In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion and cook 2 minutes, then add ground beef and cook until no longer pink, 6 minutes, breaking up with a wooden spoon as it browns. Drain fat.
- Combine beef, rice, Rotel, black beans, corn, green chilis, taco seasoning. Season with salt.
- Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook 15 – 20 minutes.
- Top with cheddar and cover to let melt, 2 to 3 minutes.
Notes
Private Notes
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Let us know how it was!
This evening when I made the Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet, I made a few adjustments. I increased the recipe and made the following changes:
- Used 2 lb. turkey ground meat instead of regular ground beef
- Used 2 taco seasoning packets vs. (1 packet)
- Added minced garlic, 2 – 3 Tbsp
- Replaced the onion with frozen Fajita Vegetables with seasoning
- Added 3 cups brown rice vs (1 c)
- Added 2 cans Hot Rotel tomatoes vs (1) can of Rotel tomatoes
- Added 8 oz. of shredded cheese
Served with fresh tomatoes on top, shredded cheese, Doritos and sour cream and Refried beans on the side. My husband asked me to write down the changes I made, he really liked it.
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