Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- ½ medium onion, diced
- 3 tbsp taco seasoning
- ½ cup prepared salsa (storebought or homemade, not thick and chunky)
- 15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 15 oz can sweet corn, not drained
- 10 oz can diced tomatoes and green chiles, not drained
- 8.5 oz bag Ready Rice, microwaved according to package directions (e.g., Uncle Ben’s Spicy Mexican style rice)
- 4 oz Colby Jack cheese, shredded from the block
Optional Garnishes
- Fresh cilantro
- Sliced avocado
- Sour cream
- Crushed tortilla chips
Instructions
- Heat skillet and cook beef and onions: Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat and spray with avocado oil spray or olive oil. Add the ground beef and diced onions, cooking for 8-10 minutes until the beef is no longer pink and onions are soft.
- Preheat oven to broil: Set your oven rack in the middle position and preheat the oven to Broil setting to prepare for melting the cheese later.
- Add seasoning and salsa: Stir in the taco seasoning and prepared salsa into the cooked beef and onions, mixing well to combine all flavors.
- Add beans, corn, and tomatoes and simmer: Add the drained black beans, undrained corn, and undrained diced tomatoes with green chiles to the skillet. Stir everything together, then simmer for 5-6 minutes until most of the liquid has cooked down.
- Mix in rice and top with cheese: Add the microwaved ready rice to the skillet mixture, stirring well so everything is evenly combined. Sprinkle the shredded Colby Jack cheese evenly on top of the mixture.
- Broil cheese until bubbly: Place the skillet in the oven under the broiler and watch carefully, broiling for about 1 minute or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from oven, add optional garnishes like fresh cilantro, sliced avocado, sour cream, or crushed tortilla chips, and serve hot.
Notes
- Shred your own cheese for best melting; pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that affect texture.
- If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, cook the beef and rice on the stove, then transfer to a baking dish to broil the cheese.
- Add aromatics like diced bell peppers and minced garlic by sautéing with onions for added flavor.
- For more heat, add diced jalapeños, cayenne pepper, hot sauce, or use a spicier salsa.
- You can cook rice from scratch, such as long-grain or brown rice, or use cauliflower rice, folding it into the mixture before adding cheese.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop and Broiling
- Cuisine: Mexican
