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

There’s something incredibly comforting about a one-pan meal that hits all the right notes — cheesy, savory, and satisfying. This Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Skillet Recipe is one of those magic dishes that comes together quickly, fills your kitchen with amazing aromas, and tastes like a warm hug on a plate.

A close-up of a black pan filled with a creamy mixture of orange-yellow melted cheese, white rice, and brown ground meat with small pieces of red. A wooden spoon lifts a portion in the middle showing stretch strands of melted cheese dripping down. The pan sits on a fabric cloth, with a white marbled surface beneath and a round grey plate at the bottom right corner. 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

I’ve made this skillet meal more times than I can count, and honestly, it never disappoints. What makes this Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Skillet Recipe stand out is how effortlessly it balances rich, gooey cheese with hearty beef and fluffy rice—all in one pan.

Easy weeknight meal: It’s super straightforward and comes together in under 30 minutes, perfect when you’re busy but want something homey.
One skillet cleanup: I love dishes where I can skip doing multiple pots and pans—less mess means more time relaxing.
Flavor-packed: The combination of salsa con queso, Rotel tomatoes, and melted nacho cheese makes every bite a fiesta of bold tastes.
Adaptable: It’s easy to tweak with ingredients you already love or have on hand, so it’s never boring.

Inside a black pan, there is a creamy, thick dish made of rice mixed with small chunks of browned meat and bits of red pepper scattered throughout. The rice is coated in a yellow-orange sauce that looks rich and smooth, with some pieces of melted cheese visible at the bottom edge, blending into the other ingredients. The pan rests on a white marbled surface with a blue cloth and a wooden spatula nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this skillet recipe has a purpose, blending texture, flavor, and aroma to keep things interesting but simple. Here’s what I use and why it’s key:

Flat lay of fresh lean ground beef in a simple white ceramic bowl, a small white bowl of diced yellow onions, a small white bowl containing minced garlic, a small white bowl filled with golden chicken broth, a small white bowl of uncooked white minute rice, a small white bowl with bright red diced tomatoes and green chilies, a small white bowl of coarse salt, a small white bowl of cracked black peppercorns, a small white bowl of light brown onion powder, a small white bowl of creamy orange salsa con queso, and a small white ceramic bowl overflowing with shredded nacho cheese, all arranged in 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: Provides meaty richness without too much grease — lean works best here to avoid excess fat pooling in your skillet.
Diced yellow onion: Adds that lovely sweetness and crunch that softens and caramelizes when cooked with beef.
Minced garlic: The sneaky flavor booster that wakes up the whole dish with just a few minutes of cooking.
Chicken broth: It’s the cooking liquid for the rice and adds deeper savory notes than just water would.
Minute rice: Perfect for quick cooking and absorbing flavors without turning mushy.
Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies: These bring in a gentle spicy kick and vibrant acidity to balance the richness.
Salt, pepper & onion powder: Simple seasonings that build layers of flavor and enhance the other ingredients.
Salsa con queso: This creamy, cheesy dip is the secret weapon that gives the skillet its signature “melty” vibe.
Shredded nacho cheese: Adds that final blanket of gooeyness — I use a blend for extra depth.

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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

One of the fun parts for me is how easy it is to customize this cheesy skillet to fit your mood or pantry staples. I love adding a personal twist or two to keep it exciting.

Variation: I sometimes swap the ground beef for ground turkey when I want a lighter option — it soaks up the queso and spices just as well.
Add veggies: Peppers, corn, or black beans stirred in give it a fresh crunch and extra nutrition, especially when I’m prepping for a family dinner.
Spice it up: If you’re feeling bold, add a dash of cayenne or hot sauce for a fiery kick.
Cheese blends: Mixing mozzarella or pepper jack with the nacho cheese gives the dish a melty gooeyness that stretches just perfectly when served.

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

Step 1: Brown the Beef and Sauté Onions

Start by dropping your lean ground beef into a large skillet over medium-high heat. Toss in those diced yellow onions right away — they’ll soften and sweeten as the beef browns. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to crumble the meat as it cooks, aiming for even browning without overcooking. This stage usually takes about 6-8 minutes. You’ll want a nice caramelized color and that savory aroma filling your kitchen.

Step 2: Add Garlic and Let It Bloom

Once the beef is mostly browned and the onions are softened, add the minced garlic. Stir it around for about 2 minutes. This short cook time lets the garlic release its fragrance without burning, which could turn it bitter. Keeping an eye on the skillet and stirring often is key here.

Step 3: Cook the Rice in Broth

Pour in the chicken broth and add the minute rice. Gently stir to make sure all the rice grains are soaked evenly. Bring the skillet to a boil, then cover with a lid and turn the heat to low. Let it simmer for 5 minutes so that the rice absorbs the broth and gets tender. Don’t skip the lid — that steam is what cooks the rice perfectly.

Step 4: Add Tomatoes, Seasonings, and Reduce Liquid

After the rice has cooked, remove the lid and stir everything well. Toss in the Rotel tomatoes and green chilies along with salt, pepper, and onion powder. Turn the heat back to medium and cook uncovered. This lets the excess liquid evaporate, concentrating flavor. Keep stirring occasionally so nothing sticks or burns on the bottom—about 4-5 minutes should do.

Step 5: The Cheesy Finale

Now comes my favorite part: stir in the salsa con queso until it’s evenly distributed and creamy. Then scatter the shredded nacho cheese over the top and gently mix just until melted. Keep the heat low here — you want to melt the cheese slowly to get that perfect ooey-gooey texture. Once it’s melted through, scoop it out and serve!

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few golden rules that make this Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Skillet Recipe turn out just right every time. These little tips saved me lots of kitchen frustration and now I’m passing them on to you.

Drain or use lean beef: Too much grease can cause the rice to get oily and mess with the texture, so either choose lean beef or drain excess fat mid-cook.
Don’t skip the lid: Covering the skillet during rice cooking traps steam and ensures fluffy rice instead of mushy or undercooked grains.
Low and slow cheese melt: Adding cheese on very low heat prevents it from clumping or turning rubbery—patience pays off.
Stir often but gently: This prevents sticking or burning and helps distribute flavors evenly without breaking up the rice too much.

How to Serve Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Skillet Recipe

cheesy ground beef and rice - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping this skillet with fresh garnishes—it adds that pop of color and freshness that keeps it from feeling too heavy. I usually grab a handful of chopped cilantro and sprinkle it on right before serving. A dollop of sour cream or a squeeze of lime brightens up all those rich flavors beautifully.

Side Dishes

To round out the meal, I often serve simple sides like a crisp green salad, roasted veggies, or even some crunchy tortilla chips to scoop. They balance the cheesy richness and give some texture contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve served this skillet layered into a casserole dish, then broiled until bubbly and golden on top—everyone loves the crispy cheese crust! You can also portion it into mini cast iron skillets for a fun, rustic presentation that’s perfect when entertaining.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers keep beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I like to cool the skillet completely before storing to avoid condensation that could make the rice soggy.

Freezing

This recipe freezes well, which makes it great for batch cooking. Portion into freezer-safe containers and thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Reheating

I reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop or in the microwave with a splash of broth or water to keep the rice moist. Stir frequently during reheating to keep everything creamy and prevent sticking.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular long-grain rice instead of minute rice?

Yes! You can substitute long-grain rice, but you’ll need to adjust the cooking time to about 15-20 minutes since it takes longer to cook than minute rice. Also, keep an eye on the liquid level and add more broth if needed to make sure the rice cooks completely.

What type of cheese works best in this recipe?

I prefer using a good quality shredded nacho cheese blend because it melts smoothly and adds a nice tangy flavor. However, you can also experiment with cheddar, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack for some extra spice.

Can this recipe be made dairy-free?

Absolutely! To make it dairy-free, skip the cheese and use a dairy-free queso or creamy salsa alternative. You can also add diced avocado on top for creaminess.

How spicy is this Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Skillet Recipe?

It has a mild to medium level of spice thanks to the Rotel tomatoes with green chilies and salsa con queso. If you want it milder, use a mild salsa and reduce or omit the chilies. For more heat, add jalapeños or hot sauce.

Final Thoughts

This Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Skillet Recipe has become a go-to comfort food for me, especially on busy evenings when I want tasty and fuss-free. I hope you find it just as satisfying and easy to adapt as I do. So grab your skillet, some cheese, and let this recipe warm up your kitchen and your heart—one cozy bite at a time.