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Cheesy Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet Dinner

Cheesy Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet Dinner Your New Weeknight Favorite

This Cheesy Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet Dinner is a comfort food that combines lean ground beef, black beans, and vibrant veggies in a single skillet for a flavorful weeknight meal.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 550

Ingredients
  

For the Skillet
  • 1 pound lean ground beef or turkey for a lighter dish
  • 1 tablespoon oil olive oil is a healthy alternative
  • 1 medium onion yellow or white for best results
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup long-grain rice or brown rice as a healthy option
  • 1 can canned diced tomatoes or fresh tomatoes as a substitute
  • 1 can black beans drained
  • 1 cup frozen corn or fresh/canned corn
  • 1 can diced green chilies or jalapeños for more heat
  • 1 medium red bell pepper diced
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt or sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper freshly ground
  • 2 cups beef broth or vegetable broth
  • 1 cup grated cheddar cheese or mozzarella/pepper jack

Equipment

  • Large Skillet

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Once shimmering, add 1 pound of lean ground beef, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
  2. Add 1 finely chopped onion to the skillet with the browned beef and sauté for about 2 minutes until softened. Then, stir in 2 minced garlic cloves, cooking until fragrant for about 30 seconds.
  3. Sprinkle in 1 cup of long-grain rice and sauté for about 2-3 minutes until lightly toasted.
  4. Incorporate 1 diced red bell pepper into the skillet, stirring it in for just 1 minute to soften slightly.
  5. Add in 1 can of black beans, 1 cup of frozen corn, 1 can of diced green chilies, and 1 can of diced tomatoes. Stir to combine all ingredients well.
  6. Sprinkle in 1 teaspoon of cumin, 1 tablespoon of chili powder, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of cracked black pepper. Mix thoroughly.
  7. Pour in 2 cups of beef broth, stirring to combine all the ingredients before bringing the mixture to a gentle boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for about 20 minutes.
  8. Once the rice is tender, sprinkle 1 cup of grated cheddar cheese over the top. Cover and let sit for about 5 minutes until melted.
  9. Uncover the skillet, allowing steam to escape, and serve your flavorful dish hot. Garnish with fresh cilantro or avocado slices, if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 550kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 35gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 500mgFiber: 8gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 15IUVitamin C: 25mgCalcium: 15mgIron: 20mg

Notes

This dish can easily be adjusted for dietary preferences or ingredient availability.

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