Easy Peasy Mexican Rice
This Easy Peasy Mexican Rice is comfort food at its finest—hearty, flavorful, and effortlessly satisfying. Blending tender ground beef with fragrant spices, tomato-rich sauce, and fluffy white rice, it’s a one-pan dish that hits every mark.
The addition of salsa and corn adds layers of texture and sweetness, while melted cheese on top brings it all together with creamy richness.
Whether served as a weeknight main or a flavorful side, this dish delivers bold Mexican-inspired flavors with minimal effort, making it a reliable favorite for busy home cooks and hungry families alike.
Why People Will Love This Easy Peasy Mexican Rice Recipe:
One-pan simplicity with bold flavor: This recipe delivers the satisfying depth of a home-cooked meal using just one skillet, making cleanup easy and the cooking process efficient—perfect for busy weeknights.
Balanced fusion of textures and tastes: The combination of savory ground beef, fluffy rice, juicy corn, and melty cheese offers a variety of textures in every bite—creamy, tender, and slightly crisp.
Family-friendly and crowd-pleasing: The familiar flavors of taco seasoning, tomato sauce, and cheese appeal to kids and adults alike. It’s mild enough for picky eaters but flavorful enough for food lovers.
Versatile as a main or side dish: Serve it on its own, with warm tortillas, or as a hearty side to tacos, enchiladas, or grilled meats. It easily adapts to different meals and occasions.
Budget-friendly ingredients, satisfying results: With pantry staples like rice, ground beef, salsa, and canned corn, this recipe offers excellent value without sacrificing flavor or satisfaction.
Customizable to your taste: You can spice it up with jalapeños, add black beans for more protein, or swap in turkey for a lighter version—making it flexible for dietary needs and preferences.
Key Ingredients:
Ground beef serves as the hearty foundation of this dish, adding rich, savory depth and protein that transforms it from a simple side into a satisfying, all-in-one meal.
White rice absorbs all the bold flavors in the pan, acting as both a filler and a flavor carrier. As it cooks, it soaks up the broth, tomato sauce, and seasoning, becoming tender and deeply infused.
Taco seasoning and garlic powder bring bold, aromatic flavor to the dish with minimal effort. Their savory, spiced warmth evokes classic Tex-Mex comfort.
Tomato sauce and salsa layer in acidity, brightness, and subtle heat. The tomato-based liquids bind the ingredients together, creating a cohesive, saucy texture.
Corn kernels provide bursts of sweetness and a slight crunch, offering contrast to the soft rice and beef while enhancing the visual appeal with their golden color.
Shredded Fiesta blend cheese melts over the warm dish to create a creamy, gooey finish. It adds richness, saltiness, and the comfort that only cheese can bring.
Expert Tips:
Toast the rice before simmering (optional for extra flavor): If time allows, sauté the white rice in the skillet for 2–3 minutes after browning the beef—just before adding liquids. This enhances the nutty flavor of the rice and improves its final texture, preventing mushiness.
Use freshly grated cheese for the best melt: Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can prevent smooth melting. Grate your own cheese for a richer, creamier, more cohesive topping.
Deglaze the pan after browning the beef: Before adding rice and liquids, pour in a few tablespoons of broth or tomato sauce and scrape the browned bits from the bottom of the pan. These caramelized bits, known as fond, add intense umami flavor.
Simmer with the lid on—no peeking: Once covered, avoid lifting the lid while the rice is cooking. Steam is essential for even cooking, and releasing it early can lead to uneven or undercooked rice.
Let it rest before serving: After the final 5-minute cheese-melting step, let the skillet sit off the heat for a few additional minutes. This allows the flavors to settle, the rice to firm slightly, and the cheese to fully melt and integrate.
Customize with add-ins at the right stage: If you want to add beans, chopped jalapeños, or diced bell peppers, stir them in with the broth and rice so they cook evenly and absorb flavor throughout.
Easy Peasy Mexican Rice
Ingredients
1 small onion, diced
1 pound ground beef
2 tbsp taco seasoning
1 tsp garlic powder
½ cup salsa
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup white rice
1 ½ cups beef broth
8 ounces tomato sauce
1 can (15 ounces) whole kernel corn, drained
1 cup Fiesta blend shredded cheese
Instructions
Step 1:
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef.
Season with salt and pepper.
Add taco seasoning and garlic powder.
Stir until well combined.
Step 2:
Stir in the beef broth, tomato sauce, drained corn, salsa, and rice.
Mix everything together.
Cover the skillet and bring to a boil.
Reduce the heat and cook for 18 to 20 minutes, until the rice is tender.
Step 3:
Top with cheese, cover again, and let it melt for 5 minutes.
Enjoy!
Important Notes When Making Easy Peasy Mexican Rice
Rice cooking is central to success: The type of rice you use and how it’s cooked will define the texture of the final dish. Long-grain white rice is ideal here because it stays fluffy and separate. Be sure to measure both rice and liquid accurately to avoid mushy or undercooked results.
Ground beef must be fully browned and drained if needed: Browning the beef properly develops deep savory flavor through the Maillard reaction. If your beef releases too much fat or moisture, drain it lightly to prevent a greasy dish and ensure better absorption of seasonings.
The taco seasoning blend is your flavor base: This mix brings salt, spice, and smokiness. If you’re using store-bought seasoning, be aware that sodium levels vary—taste before adding extra salt. For a fresher taste, consider using homemade taco seasoning with chili powder, cumin, paprika, and oregano.
Tomato sauce and salsa must balance acidity and moisture: These ingredients don’t just add flavor—they also provide necessary liquid for cooking the rice. Too thick, and the rice may undercook; too watery, and the dish may turn soupy. Use a balanced, medium-textured salsa for best results.
Corn and cheese finish the dish with contrast and richness: The sweet crunch of corn contrasts the savory rice, while the melted cheese adds comfort and visual appeal. Be sure to add the cheese at the end so it melts gently and doesn’t become rubbery.
Covered cooking is essential: Once the lid is on, keep it closed during simmering to trap steam and cook the rice evenly. Opening the lid too often will release heat and extend cooking time.
Resting improves texture and flavor: After cooking, let the skillet rest off the heat with the lid on for 5–10 minutes. This allows the rice to firm up and the ingredients to meld for a more cohesive and enjoyable dish.
How to Enjoy Easy Peasy Mexican Rice After Cooking
Let It Rest Before Serving
After the final cheese-melting step, keep the skillet covered and let it rest off heat for 5–10 minutes. This resting period helps the rice finish steaming, allows the flavors to meld, and gives the cheese time to fully melt into a creamy, cohesive layer.
Serve It Hot and Fresh
Use a large spoon or spatula to scoop generous portions directly from the skillet.
Garnish with chopped cilantro, sliced green onions, or a dollop of sour cream for a pop of freshness and color.
Add a splash of hot sauce or a squeeze of lime juice if you want to brighten or spice up the flavors.
Pair It with the Right Dishes
As a main course: Serve it as-is with warm tortillas or tortilla chips for scooping. Add a side salad with avocado or a dollop of guacamole for balance.
As a side dish: Pair with grilled meats like carne asada, grilled chicken, pork chops, or even BBQ ribs.
With eggs: Spoon leftovers onto a plate and top with a fried or poached egg for a quick and satisfying breakfast or brunch.
Turn Leftovers into New Meals
Stuffed peppers: Use the rice mixture as a filling for bell peppers. Bake until the peppers are tender and top with extra cheese.
Burritos or wraps: Roll the rice into a tortilla with lettuce, salsa, and beans for an easy next-day burrito.
Rice bowls: Reheat and serve in a bowl topped with avocado, black beans, and a fried egg for a quick power bowl.
Store and Reheat Smartly
Refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Reheat gently in the microwave or stovetop with a splash of broth or water to bring back moisture.
For larger batches, portion and freeze—defrost in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Nutrition Information:
For a single serving (about 1 cup) of Easy Peasy Mexican Rice, formatted as requested:
Calories: 375 kcal | Total Fat: 17.5 g | Saturated Fat: 7.1 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6.4 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.2 g | Cholesterol: 60 mg | Sodium: 620–780 mg (depending on added salt and salsa) | Total Carbohydrates: 34.2 g | Dietary Fiber: 3.5 g | Sugars: 4.2 g | Protein: 21.8 g
Note: This estimate assumes 85% lean ground beef, full-sodium beef broth, and standard store-bought salsa and cheese. Actual values may vary based on brand and ingredient choices.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
Yes, but brown rice takes longer to cook and requires more liquid. Increase the simmering time to about 35–40 minutes and add an extra ½ cup of broth. Be sure to keep the lid tightly closed to trap steam throughout cooking.
What kind of ground beef is best for this recipe?
Use 85–90% lean ground beef for the best balance of flavor and fat. If you use higher-fat beef, be sure to drain off excess grease after browning to avoid a greasy final dish. For a lighter option, ground turkey or chicken works well too.
Can I make this recipe in advance?
Absolutely. This dish stores well and even tastes better the next day as the flavors continue to blend. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave with a splash of broth if needed.
How can I make this dish vegetarian?
Omit the ground beef and substitute with black beans, pinto beans, or a plant-based ground meat alternative. Use vegetable broth instead of beef broth. The spices, rice, salsa, corn, and cheese will still bring plenty of flavor.
Why is my rice still undercooked after 20 minutes?
Make sure the skillet is properly covered to trap steam. If heat is too low or if the lid isn’t tight-fitting, steam may escape and slow cooking. Also, check your rice-to-liquid ratio—insufficient liquid can leave rice partially raw. If needed, add a splash of broth and cook a few minutes longer.
Should I rinse the rice before cooking?
While not strictly necessary for this recipe, rinsing rice removes excess surface starch, which can help prevent clumping and result in fluffier grains. If you prefer a lighter texture, give your rice a quick rinse until the water runs mostly clear, then drain well before adding.
Do I need to cook the rice separately first?
No, the rice cooks directly in the skillet along with the other ingredients. It absorbs the tomato sauce, broth, and seasonings as it cooks, becoming flavorful from the inside out. Just ensure the pan stays covered and simmers steadily for even cooking.
When should I add the cheese so it melts properly?
Add the cheese only after the rice is fully cooked and tender. Turn off the heat, sprinkle the cheese evenly over the top, then cover the skillet again. Let it sit for 5 minutes—the residual heat will gently melt the cheese without making it rubbery.
Why does my rice turn out mushy or sticky?
This usually happens if there’s too much liquid or if the rice was stirred excessively during cooking. Once the liquid is added and the skillet is covered, avoid lifting the lid or stirring. Keep the heat low and steady for consistent texture.
How do I know when the rice is done cooking?
After 18–20 minutes of simmering with the lid on, check that the rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. If there’s still excess moisture, uncover and simmer for a few more minutes. The final texture should be soft but not soggy, with a slightly fluffy bite.