This Cheesy Ground Beef Burrito Bowl is the ultimate one-pan wonder for busy weeknights. It packs all the savory flavors of a burrito seasoned beef, fluffy rice, black beans, and corn into a single skillet, eliminating the need for rolling or extra dishes.
Simmered in a rich tomato broth and topped with melted cheese, this hearty meal is perfect for scooping up with chips or serving over fresh greens for a customizable family feast.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: A classic Tex-Mex blend of savory taco-seasoned beef, sweet corn, and zesty salsa, tied together with a rich, cheesy finish.
- Texture: Tender rice and ground beef are studded with soft beans and crisp corn, creating a comforting, spoonable texture similar to a thick stew or casserole.
- Time: 10 minutes prep, 25 minutes cook time.
- Difficulty: Very Easy. It is a straightforward sauté-and-simmer method.
What You’ll Need
To make this recipe, you will need a large pan or skillet with a tight-fitting lid to steam the rice properly. The ingredients rely on lean ground beef, fresh aromatics like onion and bell pepper, and a collection of canned pantry staples (beans, corn, tomatoes, chiles) to make dinner a breeze.
Ingredient Notes
- Lean Ground Beef – Using lean beef (like 90/10) minimizes the grease in the pan, keeping the dish lighter.
- Jasmine Rice – This aromatic long-grain rice cooks quickly and stays fluffy. Be sure to rinse it well to remove excess starch.
- Salsa – A chunky medium salsa adds texture and instant flavor complexity.
- Black Beans & Corn – Canned beans and corn add fiber, protein, and sweetness. Rinse the beans well, but just drain the corn.
- Green Chiles – Canned diced green chiles add a mild tang and zest without overwhelming heat.
- Taco Seasoning & Chili Powder – A combination of a seasoning packet and extra chili powder ensures the rice and meat are robustly flavored.
- Chicken Stock – Cooking the rice in stock instead of water infuses every grain with savory depth.
- Cheese – A shredded cheddar/jack blend melts beautifully for that gooey finish.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Protein – Ground turkey or chicken works perfectly as a lighter substitute for beef.
- Rice – If you prefer brown rice, note that you will need to increase the liquid slightly and cook it for much longer (40-45 minutes).
- Spice – Increase the chili powder or add diced jalapeños if you want a spicy kick.
How to Make Cheesy Ground Beef Burrito Bowl
- Sauté and Brown: In a large pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onions and red peppers until they start to soften. Add in the hamburger (ground beef) and cook until browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess grease. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine Ingredients: Stir in the salsa, rinsed black beans, drained corn, undrained diced tomatoes, diced green chiles, rinsed jasmine rice, taco seasoning, and chili powder.
- Simmer: Pour in the chicken stock and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a light boil. Once boiling, cover the pan with the lid and reduce the heat to low. Cook for an additional 15 minutes, or until the rice is all the way cooked and tender.
- Melt Cheese: Remove the lid and stir; taste and add more seasoning if needed. Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top if desired. Cover the pot with the lid again and let it rest off the heat for 5 minutes to allow the cheese to melt and the rice to fluff up.
- Serve: Spoon into bowls and top with your favorite toppings. It is delicious served over lettuce in a salad bowl or eaten with tortilla chips for scooping.
Pro Tip: Rinsing the jasmine rice before adding it to the pan is crucial. It removes the surface starch, which prevents the rice from becoming gummy or clumping together as it cooks in the savory liquid.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t Peek: Once you cover the pan to simmer the rice, try not to lift the lid too often. The steam trapped inside is what cooks the rice evenly.
- Liquid Ratio: If your rice is still crunchy after 15 minutes but the liquid is gone, add a small splash of extra broth or water and cover for another 5 minutes.
- Resting Time: Letting the dish rest for 5 minutes at the end not only melts the cheese but allows any remaining liquid to be absorbed, resulting in a perfect consistency.
FAQs
- Is this gluten-free? Yes, as long as your taco seasoning and chicken stock are certified gluten-free.
- Can I use instant rice? Instant rice cooks much faster. You would need to reduce the liquid and only cook for about 5 minutes, or add it at the very end.
- How do I store leftovers? Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave.
Serving Suggestions
- Nachos: Spread leftovers over tortilla chips and bake for quick nachos the next day.
- Burritos: Wrap the filling in large flour tortillas for a portable lunch.
- Fresh Toppings: Don’t skimp on the fresh toppings like avocado and cilantro they cut through the richness of the cooked dish.
Make This Recipe in Advance
- Prep: You can chop the onions and peppers and rinse the beans ahead of time.
- Meal Prep: This is a fantastic meal prep recipe. Portion it into containers and add fresh toppings right before eating.
Cheesy Ground Beef Burrito Bowl
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 Servings 1x
Description
This Cheesy Ground Beef Burrito Bowl is the ultimate “one-pan wonder” for busy weeknights. It packs all the savory flavors of a burrito seasoned beef, fluffy rice, black beans, and corn into a single skillet, eliminating the need for rolling or extra dishes. Simmered in a rich tomato broth and topped with melted cheese, this hearty meal is perfect for scooping up with chips or serving over fresh greens for a customizable family feast.
Ingredients
The Base
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup sweet onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 cup Jasmine rice, rinsed well
The Pantry Staples
- 15 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 15 oz can corn, drained
- 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 4 oz can diced green chiles
- 1/2 cup medium salsa (chunky preferred)
- 2 cups chicken stock (or vegetable broth)
The Flavor & Finish
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder (use 1–2 tsp for more heat)
- 1 cup shredded Cheddar/Jack cheese blend
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
Sauté & Brown
Heat olive oil in a large skillet (that has a tight-fitting lid) over medium heat. Sauté the onion and red pepper until soft. Add the ground beef and cook until browned; drain excess grease. Season with salt and pepper.
Combine
Stir in the salsa, rinsed black beans, drained corn, undrained diced tomatoes, green chiles, rinsed rice, taco seasoning, and chili powder. Mix well.
Simmer
Pour in the chicken stock and bring to a light boil.
Cook
Once boiling, cover with the lid, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 15 minutes (or until rice is tender). Do not peek!
Melt
Remove the lid and give it a quick stir. Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top.
Rest
Cover the pot again and remove from heat. Let it rest for 5 minutes to melt the cheese and fluff the rice.
Serve
Scoop into bowls and top with sour cream, cilantro, and avocado. Serve with tortilla chips for dipping.
Notes
Rinse Your Rice: This is the most critical step. Rinsing the Jasmine rice removes surface starch, preventing the dish from becoming a gummy, sticky mess.
Don’t Peek: The steam trapped inside the pan is what cooks the rice. Lifting the lid releases that steam and can result in crunchy rice.
Liquid Control: If the rice is still crunchy after 15 minutes but the pan is dry, add a splash of extra broth or water and steam for another 5 minutes.
Meal Prep: This stores beautifully in the fridge for 3–4 days. It’s also great for Burrito Bowl lunches just pack fresh toppings like avocado separately.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner / One Pan
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Bowl
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: burrito bowl recipe, ground beef skillet, one pan mexican rice, taco rice recipe, easy weeknight dinners, gluten free dinner, hearty family meals
