Dive into the vibrant spirit of Mexican comfort food with this One Pot Mexican Rice Casserole. It’s everything you love about taco night—bold spices, tender ground beef, and hearty rice—all cooked in a single skillet. Fast, flavorful, and filling, this dish brings everyone to the table with ease.
Perfect for busy weeknights or whenever you need a simple, satisfying dinner, this recipe makes cleanup easy and flavor unforgettable.
Why You’ll Love It
One pan, minimal mess
Ready in under 40 minutes
Bold taco-inspired flavor
Easy to customize with toppings or add-ins
Kid-friendly and perfect for leftovers
Time Needed
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Equipment: Large skillet with lid
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup long grain white rice (uncooked)
- 1½ cups beef broth
- 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
- 8 oz tomato sauce
- ½ cup salsa
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, Mexican blend, or your favorite)
Instructions
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion with a pinch of salt and pepper until the beef is fully browned. Drain any excess fat.
Return the skillet to the stove. Stir in taco seasoning and garlic powder to coat the beef evenly.
Add the uncooked rice, beef broth, corn, tomato sauce, and salsa. Stir well to combine.
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Once boiling, cover the skillet, reduce heat to low, and let it simmer for 18–20 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked and tender.
Once the rice is done, sprinkle shredded cheese on top. Cover for another 2–3 minutes until the cheese melts into gooey perfection.
Tips and Variations
Use ground turkey or chicken as a lighter option.
Add chopped bell peppers or jalapeños for extra zest.
Top with sour cream, avocado, cilantro, or crushed tortilla chips for a festive finish.
Swap in brown rice—just adjust the simmer time as needed.
Final Thoughts
This One Pot Mexican Rice Casserole is a weeknight winner—hearty, cheesy, and packed with flavor. It’s the kind of meal that makes dinner feel like a celebration, yet it’s easy enough to whip up after a long day. With just one skillet and a handful of pantry staples, you’ll have a dish that’s bound to become a family favorite.
Let every bite take you south of the border—no takeout required.
Print
One Pot Mexican Rice Casserole
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Dive into the vibrant spirit of Mexican comfort food with this One Pot Mexican Rice Casserole. It’s everything you love about taco night—bold spices, tender ground beef, and hearty rice—all cooked in a single skillet. Fast, flavorful, and filling, this dish brings everyone to the table with ease.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup long grain white rice (uncooked)
- 1½ cups beef broth
- 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
- 8 oz tomato sauce
- ½ cup salsa
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, Mexican blend, or your favorite)
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion with a pinch of salt and pepper until the beef is fully browned. Drain any excess fat.
- Return the skillet to the stove. Stir in taco seasoning and garlic powder to coat the beef evenly.
- Add the uncooked rice, beef broth, corn, tomato sauce, and salsa. Stir well to combine.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Once boiling, cover the skillet, reduce heat to low, and let it simmer for 18–20 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked and tender.
- Once the rice is done, sprinkle shredded cheese on top. Cover for another 2–3 minutes until the cheese melts into gooey perfection.
Notes
Use ground turkey or chicken as a lighter option. Add chopped bell peppers or jalapeños for extra zest. Top with sour cream, avocado, cilantro, or crushed tortilla chips. Swap in brown rice—just adjust the simmer time.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: One Pot
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: mexican rice, casserole, one pot, ground beef, easy dinner, skillet meal