Name: Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Skillet Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 22 min
Total time: 27 min
Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Ingredients: 1 lb lean ground beef; 1 cup diced yellow onion; 1 tablespoon minced garlic; 2 cups chicken broth; 2 cups minute rice; 10.5 oz Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon pepper; 1 tablespoon onion powder; 1 cup salsa con queso; 2 cups shredded nacho cheese

There's something so comforting about a one-pan meal that’s both hearty and packed with flavor. This Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Skillet Recipe hits all the marks — it's quick, cheesy, and perfect for those nights when you want a satisfying dinner without fuss.

A close-up of a black pan filled with a creamy, cheesy rice dish that has visible bits of browned meat and small red pieces mixed evenly. The rice is yellow-orange in color, melted cheese strings stretch from the scoop lifted by a wooden spoon, showing the thick and cheesy texture. The background surface is a white marbled texture with a part of a white plate at the bottom right corner and a gray cloth beneath the pan. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Skillet Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Skillet Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Skillet Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Trust me, this isn’t just any cheesy beef and rice dish. It’s an all-in-one skillet meal that combines bold Tex-Mex flavors with melty cheese goodness. When I first made this, the way the salsa con queso mingled with the beef and rice blew me away — and I think you’ll feel the same.

Quick and Easy: You can have dinner on the table in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.
All-in-One Skillet: Minimal cleanup with everything cooked in one pan — less time scrubbing, more time enjoying.
Flavor Packed: The combination of Rotel tomatoes, salsa con queso, and shredded cheese creates a rich, zesty taste.
Comfort Food Vibes: It’s cheesy, hearty, and hits that cozy spot your taste buds crave.

A close-up view of a deep black pan filled with a creamy mixture made of yellow-orange melted cheese, small brown ground meat pieces, bits of white rice, and tiny red, green, and orange vegetable pieces mixed throughout. The surface of the dish is textured with melted cheese strands and bits of meat visible in every part. The pan is placed on a blue-gray cloth over a wooden surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient has a job here — from building that savory base with ground beef to adding creamy richness with the cheese. Here’s why I love each one and a few pointers to get the best results.

Flat lay of lean ground beef shaped in a small mound, a small pile of diced yellow onion, a small white bowl filled with minced garlic, a simple white bowl holding clear chicken broth, a neat mound of uncooked long-grain white rice, a small white bowl containing bright diced tomatoes and green chilies, a small white bowl of coarse salt, a small white bowl of ground black pepper, a small white bowl with finely ground onion powder, a small white bowl of creamy salsa con queso, and a small pile of shredded nacho cheese, all arranged with perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Lean ground beef: Using lean beef keeps the dish from getting greasy but still delivers that meaty flavor we need.
Diced yellow onion: Adds sweetness and depth — sauté until soft for the best flavor boost.
Minced garlic: Just a touch adds aromatic warmth that perks up the whole skillet.
Chicken broth: The flavorful liquid the rice cooks in; it infuses the grains instead of plain water.
Minute rice: Cooks quickly and soaks up all the tasty liquids without turning mushy.
Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies: Brings a mild spicy kick and fresh tomato brightness.
Salt & pepper: Simple seasoning that brings balance and enhances every other flavor.
Onion powder: Boosts the onion flavor without adding extra chunks, making it smooth.
Salsa con queso: This is the secret weapon — creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavor, it binds everything together.
Shredded nacho cheese: Melts into the rice and beef mixture, making every bite rich and gooey.

📝

Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love making this Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Skillet Recipe my own by swapping in favorite cheeses or adding a handful of fresh herbs. Feel free to turn it up or calm it down, depending on what you like.

Variation: I once stirred in some black beans and corn to stretch it further and add texture — seriously tasty and extra satisfying.
Meat swap: Ground turkey or chicken works if you want a leaner option, just be sure to season well.
Spice it up: Adding a pinch of cayenne or a dash of hot sauce will give it a nice kick for spice lovers.
Make it vegetarian: Swap out ground beef for plant-based crumbles and use veggie broth instead of chicken for a meatless twist.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Skillet Recipe

Step 1: Brown the Beef and Sauté the Onions

Start by dropping the lean ground beef into a large skillet over medium-high heat. Toss in the diced onions and stir everything together. Keep breaking the beef apart with your spatula until it's fully browned and the onions have softened. This creates a savory foundation you'll want. Just watch the heat so the onions don't burn—medium-high does the trick perfectly.

Step 2: Garlic and Liquid Magic

Next, add the minced garlic to the pan and give it a good stir. Let the garlic cook for about 2 minutes to release all those fragrant oils without burning it — garlic can turn bitter quickly, so keep an eye on it.

Step 3: Add Broth and Rice, Then Simmer

Pour in the chicken broth and add the minute rice, stirring gently until the rice is fully submerged. Bring it all to a boil, then pop the lid on and reduce the heat to low. Let it cook for about 5 minutes. This is the key step where the rice absorbs all that rich flavor, so be patient here!

Step 4: Layer in Tomatoes and Seasonings

After 5 minutes, take off the lid and stir everything well. Add in the Rotel tomatoes with their juices, salt, pepper, and onion powder. Increase the heat to medium and cook until the liquid has completely evaporated from the bottom of the skillet. You'll see those tasty flavors concentrating — I like to scrape the bottom gently as I stir to not lose any flavor.

Step 5: Stir in the Cheesy Goodness

Now the fun part: add the salsa con queso and stir to combine. Then sprinkle the shredded nacho cheese on top and stir just until melted into heavenly goo. Don’t let the heat stay too high or the cheese can get stringy — medium-low works best here. Once it's melty and combined, you’re ready to serve.

Top Tip

Over the years, I've tweaked this Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Skillet Recipe to perfection. These tips really helped me avoid common pitfalls and make the dish shine every time.

Patience with rice: Letting the rice cook undisturbed under the lid is crucial — lifting the lid too soon can mess with the steam cooking process.
Don’t overheat cheese: Add cheese at the end and stir on low heat so it melts smoothly without clumping.
Use a wide skillet: A broad pan helps the liquid evaporate evenly and keeps ingredients from overcrowding.
Fresh onions make a difference: I always dice onions fresh instead of using pre-chopped for better texture and flavor.

How to Serve Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Skillet Recipe

Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle this dish with chopped fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice to cut through all that cheesy richness. Sometimes a dollop of sour cream or sliced jalapeños on top makes it feel even more festive and fresh.

Side Dishes

It stands strong on its own, but I often pair it with a crisp green salad or some roasted veggies like broccoli or asparagus. A side of warm tortilla chips also works great if you want to keep it casual and snacky.

Creative Ways to Present

For family gatherings or casual dinners, I've served this skillet right in the pan on the table for easy scooping. Another fun idea I tried was layering it into burrito bowls with avocado slices and extra cheese — everyone loved customizing their own bowls at the table.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making it perfect for a quick next-day lunch or dinner.

Freezing

This skillet freezes quite well. I portion it into freezer-safe containers and it lasts for about 2 months. When thawed, just reheat gently on the stove or microwave.

Reheating

To keep the cheese from getting rubbery when reheating, I like to add a splash of broth or water and stir over low heat until warmed through. It revives that creamy texture beautifully.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular rice instead of minute rice?

Yes! You can substitute regular white or brown rice, but you’ll need to adjust the cooking time and liquid amounts accordingly — usually longer cook time and more broth.

What’s the best cheese to use for this recipe?

I suggest a melty cheese like a nacho blend (cheddar, Monterey Jack). It melts smoothly and complements the queso flavor perfectly. Feel free to experiment with your favorite types.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! Make sure to use gluten-free salsa con queso and broth. Minute rice is naturally gluten-free, so this recipe is easily adaptable.

How spicy is this dish?

It has a mild to medium heat level thanks to the Rotel and salsa con queso. You can always dial it up or down by choosing mild or spicy Rotel varieties or adding fresh chilies.

Final Thoughts

This Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Skillet Recipe has become one of my go-to comfort meals because it’s quick, cheesy, and so satisfying. Whether you’re feeding hungry kids or need a fuss-free dinner for yourself, this recipe has you covered. Give it a try and see how it becomes a staple on your table, just like it did in mine!