A quick Southwestern-inspired skillet dinner that’s loaded with ground beef and rice, beans, corn, tomatoes, and cheese. Best of all, it’s ready in 30 minutes!
Table of Contents
If you’re looking for more ground beef skillet recipes, be sure to try this egg roll in a bowl, this ground beef cabbage recipe (that tastes like a stuffed cabbage roll), and this 10-minute ground beef teriyaki recipe, too!
Simple Ground Beef and Rice Recipes Make Weeknights Easy
For those evenings when you want to use that affordable ground beef that’s stashed in your fridge but you’re tired of the same old tacos, try this easy Southwest ground beef and rice skillet dinner. It’s made with simple ingredients (most of which are pantry staples), it comes together from start to finish in about 30 minutes, and it’s loaded with family-friendly flavors. Set out some toppings and let each individual customize his own bowl. We all need more simple ground beef and rice recipes in our repertoire!
Ingredient Notes and Tips for Success
- Start with any variety of cooked rice. Leftovers from a previous meal work great, or you can use microwaveable rice pouches for a shortcut. We like long grain white rice, but brown rice, wild rice, jasmine rice, or basmati rice are all nice options as well. If you want to use cauliflower rice, make sure that it’s well drained so that it doesn’t water down the dish.
- Use a variety of toppings to add great flavor and texture to the dish. For instance, cool, tangy sour cream, bright fresh herbs, green onions, and quick pickled red onions, crunchy, salty tortilla chips, creamy guacamole, or spicy sliced jalapenos are all delicious options. We also love a squeeze of fresh lime juice at the end.
- Scoop up the mixture with big, sturdy tortilla chips or dip-size Fritos, or spoon the ground beef and rice into flour or corn tortillas to make burritos and soft tacos.
- Adjust the seasoning to suit your taste. For instance, add extra cayenne or crushed red pepper flakes to make it spicy. Use regular sweet paprika rather than smoked paprika. Give it bolder, zestier flavor with extra chili powder.
How to Make Ground Beef and Rice
Have all of the ingredients prepped and ready to go, because this easy dinner recipe comes together in just minutes! You’ll find detailed directions in the recipe card below, but here’s the overview:
- Brown the ground beef, onion, and garlic in a large skillet. I like to use a 12-inch skillet with fairly high sides to accommodate all of the ingredients. A cast iron Dutch oven would also work well!
- Add the spices to the ground beef mixture, and then stir in the diced tomatoes, corn, and beans. Cook for about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the cooked rice. I often use a fork for this step, which helps to break up the individual grains of rice rather than clump them together. Taste the mixture and add extra salt, pepper, or other seasoning at this point if necessary.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese on top, and cover the skillet for a couple of minutes until the cheese melts. You can also place the skillet under the broiler for this step if you like the cheese more crispy and browned on top.
- Serve in individual bowls and pile on the toppings!
Serving Suggestions
On the side, offer the ground beef and rice bowls with big, sturdy tortilla chips or other corn chips for scooping, with Jiffy Mexican cornbread or this jalapeno cheddar cornbread, alongside a loaf of jalapeno cheddar bread, or with a crisp green salad dressed in homemade buttermilk dressing.
Preparation and Storage Tips
- How to Store: Prep the ground beef and rice in advance and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. It’s a great option to reheat for quick lunches and dinners throughout the week.
- How to Freeze: You can also freeze leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Just remember that rice will swell in the freezer, resulting in a mushy texture when thawed.
- How to Reheat: Warm leftovers in a covered skillet or saucepan over low heat, just until warmed through. Do not reheat it for too long, or the rice will become overdone, gummy, and mushy. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
Southwest Ground Beef and Rice Skillet
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 40 minutes
A flavorful 30-minute meal that everyone at the table will love!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 teaspoons)
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional), for heat
- Kosher salt and ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, not drained
- 1 (15.25 ounce) can corn kernels, drained
- 1 (15 ounce) can black beans or pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend (or sub with shredded sharp cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack, or Pepper Jack)
- Optional toppings: sliced green onions; chopped fresh cilantro; squeeze of fresh lime juice; tortilla chips; salsa; chopped tomatoes; guacamole; diced avocado; sour cream; sliced jalapenos
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil until shimmering. Add the ground beef, onion, and garlic. Cook, stirring regularly and breaking up the meat, until the beef is no longer pink; about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain off excess grease.
- Reduce the heat to medium. Add the chili powder, cumin, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper. I start with about ½ teaspoon kosher salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper, and then add more to taste if necessary. Cook, stirring, for about 30 seconds. Add the diced tomatoes with their juices, corn, and beans. Bring to a simmer; reduce the heat to low and cook for about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the rice. If the mixture looks a bit dry, add a splash of water, beef broth, or even salsa to loosen it up. Taste the mixture and season with additional salt and pepper, if desired. Sprinkle the shredded cheese on top.
- Cover the skillet and cook for about 2 to 3 more minutes, or until the cheese melts and the ingredients are hot and bubbly.
- Serve in individual bowls and pile each serving high with your favorite toppings for added flavor and texture.
Notes
Start with any variety of cooked rice. Leftovers from a previous meal work great, or you can use microwaveable rice pouches for a shortcut. We like long grain white rice, but brown rice, wild rice, jasmine rice, or basmati rice are all great options as well. If you want to use cauliflower rice, make sure that it’s well drained so that it doesn’t water down the dish.
Nutrition
Serving: 1/4 of the recipeCalories: 665kcalCarbohydrates: 62gProtein: 40gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 94mgSodium: 1035mgPotassium: 1095mgFiber: 9gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 616IUVitamin C: 16mgCalcium: 431mgIron: 6mg
Recipe Variations
- For a similar ground beef recipe that uses uncooked rice, try this Texas hash.
- Swap out the ground beef and use ground turkey, ground chicken, ground pork, or ground sausage instead.
- Add a little bit of soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce for salty, umami flavor that pairs nicely with the ground beef.
- A teaspoon or so of sugar is a nice balance to the acidic tomatoes and other savory ingredients.
More Simple Ground Beef and Rice Recipes to Try
Stuffed Peppers with Rice
1 hour hr
Dump-and-Bake Ground Beef Casserole with Rice
1 hour hr 25 minutes mins
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