Cheesy Beef and Rice Skillet

Name: Cheesy Beef and Rice Skillet (One-Pan)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef; 1/2 medium onion, diced; 2 tbsp taco seasoning; 1 cup jasmine rice; 1 tbsp cooking oil; 1 tbsp minced garlic; 8 oz tomato sauce; 2 cups beef broth; 1 cup white queso; 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped; Sour cream, for serving; Pico de gallo, for serving; Flour tortillas, for serving; Tortilla chips, for serving

This Cheesy Beef and Rice Skillet combines ground beef, jasmine rice, and tomato sauce in a single skillet, finished with creamy queso for a simple weeknight meal that comes together in under 30 minutes.

🌍American 🏷️Beef and rice 🏷️Skillet dinner 🏷️One-pan meal 🏷️Cheesy Ground beef

🏷️

🏷️Queso

-0:00

cookinginthemidwestonTikTok

Total

30 min

Servings

4

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$26–$43

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok · by cookinginthemidwest

-0:00

cookinginthemidwestonTikTok

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
1/2 medium onion, dicedoptional
2 tbsp taco seasoning
1 cup jasmine rice
1 tbsp cooking oil
1 tbsp minced garlic
8 oz tomato sauce
2 cups beef broth
1 cup white queso
2 tbsp fresh cilantro, choppedoptional
Sour cream, for servingoptional
Pico de gallo, for servingoptional
Flour tortillas, for servingoptional
Tortilla chips, for servingoptional

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Instructions

1
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef and optional diced onion. Sprinkle with taco seasoning.
2
Cook, breaking up the meat, until the beef is browned and the onion is softened.
3
Add the uncooked jasmine rice and a little oil to the skillet. Stir for about a minute until the rice is lightly toasted.
4
Stir in the minced garlic until fragrant.
5
Pour in the tomato sauce and beef broth, and stir everything together to combine.
6
Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.
7
Remove the lid and drizzle the white queso over the top of the beef and rice mixture.
8
Garnish with optional chopped fresh cilantro.
9
Serve warm, with optional toppings like sour cream and pico de gallo. Can be eaten on its own, with tortilla chips, or in flour tortillas.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Brown the ground beef thoroughly and drain excess fat before adding rice—this prevents a greasy skillet and ensures the rice absorbs the savory broth.
Stir the rice once after adding broth, then resist stirring again; this helps rice cook evenly and develop a light crust on the bottom.
Add the queso only after the rice is fully cooked and off heat; it melts faster and stays creamy rather than separating.

Substitutions

Jasmine rice → long-grain white or basmati (1:1 ratio, adjust simmer time by 1–2 minutes)
Beef broth → chicken broth or vegetable broth (no flavor change, slightly lighter taste)
Tomato sauce → salsa (8 oz, adds heat and tang; omit or reduce taco seasoning by half)
White queso → shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack (1 cup, melts similarly but less creamy)

Storage & make-ahead

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the skillet over medium heat with a splash of broth; add fresh queso or cheese on top if desired.