One Skillet Taco Rice (Copycat Hamburger Helper Cheesy Enchilada)

One Skillet Taco Rice is an easy, family-friendly dinner made with seasoned ground beef, rice, taco seasoning, and salsa, all cooked together in one pan. Finished with queso and cilantro, this quick 30-minute meal is perfect for busy weeknights, Taco Tuesday, or anytime you’re craving a hearty, cheesy dinner with minimal cleanup.

Easy One Pot Taco Rice

When Richy and I first got married, Hamburger Helper was a staple for us. It stayed on our menu regularly for years until we started having to make two or three boxes to have enough for our growing family. 

We love a lot of one pot meals, but my kids’ favorite Hamburger Helper was always Cheesy Enchilada. Even my picky eaters loved it.

Somewhere along the way, I started cooking easy dinners more from scratch and less from boxes. This Taco Rice tasted so much like the Hamburger Helper Cheesy Enchilada (right down to the melty cheese on top) that my kids went crazy for it.

I knew the recipe was a keeper. Also, if you have a large enough skillet, it’s really easy to double (which I had to do often when all six kids were still living at home).

Why You’ll Love This Taco Rice

There are plenty of ground beef dinners out there, but this easy Taco Rice recipe is a winner for so many reasons…

• Made in one large skillet for easy cleanup.
• Uses a handful of simple ingredients.
• Ready in about 30 minutes.
• Budget-friendly and family-friendly.
• Perfect for busy nights.

If your family loves taco meat, Mexican rice, burrito bowls, or cheesy skillet dinners, this recipe is guaranteed to become a regular in your dinner rotation.

Tools Needed

• Large skillet with lid – this large Always pan is my favorite pan, and it’s huge and so perfect for this recipe!
• Cutting board
• Large spoon or spatula (I use this Mix ‘n Chop Spatula all the time!)
• Sharp knife
• Measuring cups & spoons

Ingredients You’ll Need

One of my favorite things about this recipe is that everything is easy to find at any grocery store. You’ll just need a handful of ingredients that you probably already have!

• Lean ground beef 
• Small onion, diced. I have a whole tutorial here for you for different ways to cut an onion
• Beef broth – this gives the richest flavor, but chicken broth works well too. In a pinch, water can be substituted.
• Salsa – store-bought or homemade salsa works great!
• Taco seasoning – you can grab a packet at the store or use DIY Taco Seasoning
• Garlic salt – or you could use minced garlic and salt to taste.
• Rice – I most often use parboiled white rice that I buy in bulk from Sam’s Club, but regular white rice would work just as well
• Fresh cilantro
• Queso, for serving – I have a go-to recipe here, but you could easily use store-bought or your favorite homemade recipe

Find the complete recipe with ingredient measurements in the recipe card below.

How to Make Taco Rice

This simple recipe couldn’t be easier.

1. Crumble ground beef and add the diced onion to a large nonstick skillet. 
2. Cook over medium-high heat until the meat is browned and the onion is tender.
3. If needed, drain excess grease, then return to the stove top.
4. Pour in the beef broth, salsa, taco seasoning, and garlic salt, stirring everything together until well combined.

5. Add the uncooked rice and stir the rice mixture well. Bring everything to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the skillet with tight fitting lid.
6. Allow the rice cooks undisturbed for the final 10 minutes of cooking time. During the first 15 minutes, gently stir every five minutes to keep the rice from sticking to the bottom of the pan.

7. Once the rice is tender, top everything with warm queso, fresh cilantro, and serve immediately.

Favorite Taco Toppings

This taco rice is delicious exactly as written and it’s a full meal for us, but it’s also fun to let everyone customize their own bowl.

Some of our favorite toppings include:

• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Dollop of sour cream
• Pico de gallo
• Green onions
• Shredded lettuce
• Black olives
• Hot sauce
• Lime wedges
• Tortilla chips for crunch

Easy Variations

This Cheesy Taco Rice recipe is an easy weeknight meal and so easy to customize:

• Most any ground meat works: swap the lean ground beef for ground turkey or ground chicken if you want a lighter option.
• Stir in black beans or pinto beans for extra protein and fiber.
• Add diced green chilies or bell pepper with the onions for more vegetables.
• Want even more cheesy goodness? Add shredded cheddar cheese or Colby Jack directly into the finished rice mixture before serving.
• If you don’t have salsa, tomato sauce can work in a pinch, although salsa adds much more flavor.

Storage Instructions

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• To reheat, add a splash of beef broth or chicken broth before microwaving to help keep the rice moist. Top with fresh queso or melted cheese after reheating for the best texture.
• I don’t recommend leaving the rice at room temperature for extended periods. Refrigerate leftovers as soon as they’ve cooled.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use ground turkey?

Absolutely! Ground turkey or ground chicken both make a great lighter option. You may want to add a little extra taco seasoning since they’re naturally leaner than beef.

Can I use brown rice?

Yes, but I don’t recommend it, Brown rice requires more liquid and a much longer cooking time, so you’ll need to adjust the recipe accordingly.

Can I use Minute Rice?

Quick cooking rice and uncooked Minute Rice cook much faster than regular long-grain rice and need a lot less liquid, so they are not a direct substitute in this recipe.

Can I make this in a Dutch oven?

Yes! A Dutch oven works beautifully if you don’t have a large skillet.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Definitely. Leftover taco rice tastes just as good the next day, making it perfect for meal prep or lunch.

More Delicious Recipes

• Best Taco Meat Recipe (Easy Ground Beef Taco Meat for Taco Night!)
• Easy Layered Taco Dip (Old El Paso Taco Dip Recipe)
• Low Carb Chicken Taco Casserole
• Easy Walking Tacos Recipe (Walking Taco Bags)
• Instant Pot Taco Pasta (Easy Cheesy Recipe)

If your family loves easy recipes made with ground beef and pantry staples, be sure to save this one to your recipe card and share it on social media. It’s one of those great recipes you’ll want to save for Taco night, busy weeknights, and anytime you’re craving an easy, cheesy one-pan meal with all your favorite Tex-Mex flavors.