Zesty Taco Rice & Queso Recipe: Flavor Fiesta in a Bowl!

Craving a mouthwatering dish that blends comfort and zest?

This spicy taco rice with queso recipe brings together bold flavors in a single skillet.

Melted cheese cascades over seasoned rice, creating a culinary masterpiece that tantalizes your taste buds.

Ground beef sizzles with aromatic spices, infusing each grain with intense warmth.

The queso adds a creamy richness that complements the spicy undertones perfectly.

Every forkful promises a delightful explosion of Mexican-inspired goodness.

Serve this quick and easy meal that will have everyone at the table asking for seconds.

Tools to Help You Simmer and Layer Taco Rice Fast

• Large Pot: Essential for boiling water and cooking rice perfectly.
• Fork: Needed for fluffing rice after cooking.
• Measuring Cups: Precise measurements for water and rice.
• Butter Knife or Spoon: Helps add butter while cooking rice.
• Stove: Required for heating and simmering rice.

How to Make Taco Rice With Queso On Top

• Fire Up the Skillet Warm your favorite skillet over medium-high heat and get ready for a flavor explosion.
• Brown the Protein Sizzle ground beef until it's perfectly golden and crumbled, breaking it into tiny pieces as it cooks.
• Spice Things Up Sprinkle in taco seasoning and stir until every morsel is coated with zesty, aromatic goodness.
• Create the Base Layer Spread the freshly cooked rice onto a serving platter, creating a delicious foundation for your meal.
• Add the Meaty Goodness Pile the seasoned beef right on top of the fluffy rice, creating an irresistible base.
• Melt the Cheese Drizzle melted queso generously over the beef, letting it cascade down and create a creamy, dreamy topping.
• Garnish and Serve Top with fresh cilantro, diced tomatoes, or your favorite taco toppings for an extra burst of flavor and color.

Ingredient Swaps to Make It Your Own

• Taco Rice with Queso – Cooking Tips & Variations
• Flavor Boost: Swap water with chicken or vegetable broth to add deeper, richer taste to your rice base.
• Spice It Up: Mix in diced jalapeños or sprinkle red pepper flakes for an extra kick of heat during rice cooking.
• Protein Power: Stir in cooked ground beef, shredded chicken, or black beans directly into the rice for a complete one-pot meal.
• Dairy-Free Twist: Replace butter with olive oil and use nutritional yeast instead of traditional queso for a vegan-friendly version.
• Meal Prep Magic: Cook a larger batch of taco rice and store in refrigerator for up to 4 days, making quick lunches or dinner sides throughout the week.

Serve With Chips, Salsa, or Guac

• Fiesta Plate Presentation: Spread the taco rice on a colorful platter and top with melted queso, creating a vibrant and inviting centerpiece that screams flavor.
• Protein Power-Up: Add grilled chicken, seasoned ground beef, or shredded carnitas on top of the rice to transform this dish into a hearty main course that satisfies hungry appetites.
• Fresh Topping Explosion: Sprinkle diced tomatoes, chopped cilantro, sliced jalapeños, and a dollop of sour cream to bring bright colors, extra textures, and zesty flavors that complement the creamy queso and rice.
• Sidekick Companions: Serve alongside crispy tortilla chips, black beans, or a simple garden salad to round out the meal and provide delicious complementary side options that enhance the overall dining experience.

Store for Leftover Burrito Bowl

• Smart Portioning: Divide leftovers into single-serve containers for quick grab-and-go lunches during busy weekdays, ensuring delicious meals are always ready.
• Refrigeration Tip: Store prepared Taco Rice with Queso in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, maintaining optimal flavor and texture.
• Freezer-Friendly Hack: Freeze individual portions in sealed freezer bags for up to 2 months, perfect for meal prep and emergency dinner solutions.
• Reheating Wisdom: Sprinkle a few tablespoons of water or broth when warming refrigerated or frozen Taco Rice to restore moisture and prevent dryness, ensuring a fresh-tasting meal every time.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 550 kcal

Servings: 6

Taco Rice with Queso: What You’ll Need

• Water or Broth: Choose low-sodium varieties to control salt levels and enhance natural rice flavor.

• Long-Grain White Rice: Select high-quality rice with clean, uniform grains for perfect texture.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps prevent rice from sticking while creating a silky, smooth finish.

• Taco Seasoning: Select a blend with balanced spices that complement the rice and create a zesty Mexican-inspired profile.
• Queso: Pick a creamy, melty cheese like cheddar or Mexican blend for authentic, tangy warmth.
• Optional Toppings (Cilantro, Green Onions): Fresh herbs bring brightness and elevate the overall dish with vibrant color and crisp flavor.

Spicy Taco Rice With Queso Recipe

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4.7 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Mouthwatering taco rice with queso blends Mexican and Japanese culinary traditions in one comforting dish. Layers of seasoned ground beef, fluffy rice, and melted cheese create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
• 1 cup white rice (uncooked)
• 2 cups water or chicken broth
• 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (or Mexican blend)
• 1 cup milk (whole or 2%)
• ½ cup tomato sauce (or salsa)
• 2 tbsps butter
• 1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade blend below)
• 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
• ½ cup black beans (optional)
• ½ cup corn (optional)
• ¼ tsp cumin
• ¼ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ tsp onion powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• Sour cream
• Diced tomatoes
• Sliced jalapenos
• Chopped cilantro
• Crushed tortilla chips

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Instructions

1. Rice Preparation: Bring water or broth to a vigorous boil in a medium pot, then introduce rice and butter. Immediately reduce heat to the lowest setting, cover with a tight lid, and allow rice to steam for 15-18 minutes until grains reach perfect tenderness.
2. Resting Phase: Remove pot from heat and let sit undisturbed for 3-5 minutes, allowing residual steam to complete the cooking process without lifting the lid.
3. Fluffing Technique: Uncover and gently separate rice grains with a fork, creating a light, airy texture that serves as the base for the taco rice dish.
4. Flavor Building: Brown ground meat in a skillet, incorporating taco seasoning to develop a robust, zesty profile that will complement the rice.
5. Assembly: Layer the fluffy rice as a foundation, top with seasoned meat, sprinkle shredded cheese, and garnish with fresh salsa, chopped cilantro, and a dollop of sour cream to create a vibrant, flavor-packed taco rice experience.

Notes

• Boost Rice Texture: Use cold water and add a pinch of salt during initial boiling to enhance grain separation and prevent clumping.
• Butter Enhancement: Select high-quality unsalted butter for richer flavor and smoother rice consistency, ensuring even distribution while cooking.
• Liquid Ratio Precision: Maintain exact water-to-rice proportion (typically 2:1) for perfectly cooked grains without becoming soggy or dry.
• Customize Dietary Needs: Substitute butter with olive oil for vegan version or use cauliflower rice for low-carb alternative, maintaining core flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg