It’s Monday, and the week is officially in full swing. On days like these, I need a dinner that’s fast, requires minimal brainpower, and is guaranteed to make everyone at the table happy. I’m talking about a meal that feels like a mini-celebration, a little fiesta to brighten up the evening. And this One-Pot Mexican Beef Dinner Recipe is exactly that.
Think of it as all the best parts of taco night, brilliantly combined into a single, effortless pot. Perfectly seasoned ground beef, fluffy rice, sweet corn, and hearty black beans all simmer together in a savory, spiced tomato sauce. To finish it off, the entire skillet gets crowned with a glorious blanket of gooey, melted cheese. It’s a complete, satisfying meal that tastes like it took way more effort than it actually did.
If you’re looking for a recipe that delivers maximum flavor for minimum cleanup, you have found your holy grail. This is your official permission slip to skip the stress and the sink full of dishes and head straight for a delicious, crowd-pleasing dinner.
Taco Night, Simplified
The inspiration for this recipe was simple: I love the flavors of a good taco dinner, but I don’t always love the chaos of a dozen little bowls and toppings all over the counter. I wanted to capture that fun, festive spirit in a hearty, all-in-one meal that I could rely on during a busy week. By cooking the rice in the same pot with the seasoned beef and sauce, it absorbs every bit of that delicious flavor, and the whole dish comes together in perfect harmony. It’s a smart, streamlined approach to a family favorite.
Why This Will Be on Your Weekly Rotation:
- One-Pot Perfection: From browning the beef to melting the cheese, everything happens in a single skillet. Cleanup is an absolute dream.
- A Complete Meal in a Bowl: You’ve got your protein, your carbs, and your veggies all cooked together. No need to worry about making separate side dishes!
- Ready in About 30 Minutes: This is a true weeknight lifesaver. It’s faster than ordering takeout and so much more satisfying.
- Family-Friendly & Customizable: The flavors are a huge hit with both kids and adults. It’s easy to adjust the spice level, and everyone can personalize their bowl with their favorite toppings.
Ingredients & Equipment
For the One-Pot Mexican Beef:
- Lean Ground Beef (Rinderhackfleisch): 500g (about 1 lb). You can also use ground turkey.
- Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon.
- Yellow Onion: 1 large, chopped.
- Garlic: 3 cloves, minced.
- Long-Grain White Rice: 200g (1 cup), uncooked.
- Beef Broth (Rinderbrühe): 500 ml (2 cups), low-sodium.
- Diced Tomatoes: 1 can (400g / 14.5 oz), undrained.
- Black Beans (schwarze Bohnen): 1 can (425g / 15 oz), rinsed and drained.
- Corn (Mais): 1 can (about 300g / 10 oz), drained.
- Shredded Cheese: 150g (1 ½ cups), a Mexican blend, Cheddar, or Monterey Jack works great.
- For Garnish: Fresh cilantro (Koriander), chopped.
- Optional Toppings: Sour cream or Greek yogurt, sliced avocado, salsa, jalapeños.
For the Homemade Taco Seasoning:
- Chili Powder: 1 tablespoon.
- Ground Cumin (Kreuzkümmel): 2 teaspoons.
- Smoked Paprika: 1 teaspoon.
- Dried Oregano: 1 teaspoon.
- Salt: ½ teaspoon.
- Black Pepper: ½ teaspoon.
Helpful Equipment:
- A large skillet with a tight-fitting lid (at least 10-12 inches), a Dutch oven, or a heavy-bottomed pot.
Time Estimates
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Total Time: Approximately 30-35 minutes
Step-by-Step Instructions
Let’s make this easy, cheesy masterpiece!
Step 1: Make Seasoning and Brown the Beef In a small bowl, mix together all the homemade taco seasoning ingredients: chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Set aside. Heat the olive oil in your large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it’s browned. Drain off any excess fat from the skillet.
Step 2: Add Flavor Stir the minced garlic and the prepared taco seasoning into the beef. Cook for 1 minute more, stirring constantly, until everything is incredibly fragrant.
Step 3: Add Rice and Liquids Pour the beef broth and the can of undrained diced tomatoes into the skillet. Stir in the uncooked rice. Bring the mixture to a lively simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
Step 4: Cover and Simmer Once simmering, reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid, and let it cook for 15 minutes. Try not to peek, as this lets the steam escape!
Step 5: Add Beans and Corn After 15 minutes, remove the lid. The rice should have absorbed most of the liquid. Gently stir in the rinsed black beans and the drained corn.
Step 6: Melt the Cheese Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top of the beef and rice mixture. Place the lid back on the skillet and let it sit for another 2-5 minutes, or until the cheese is perfectly melted and gooey.
Step 7: Garnish and Serve Turn off the heat. Garnish with a generous sprinkle of fresh cilantro and serve hot, straight from the skillet, with your favorite toppings.
Notes, Tips, & Variations
- Rinse Your Canned Goods: Don’t forget to rinse and drain your canned beans and corn. This removes excess sodium and the starchy packing liquid, resulting in a much better flavor and texture.
- Spice It Up (or Down): This recipe is mild and kid-friendly. For a spicier kick, add ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper to your seasoning blend or stir in some chopped jalapeños with the onion.
- Let’s Talk Toppings: The toppings are half the fun! Set out bowls of sour cream, guacamole or sliced avocado, fresh salsa or pico de gallo, and some crushed tortilla chips for a fun crunch.
- Make it Extra Creamy: For an even richer, creamier texture, stir in 2-3 tablespoons of cream cheese with the beans and corn before you top it with the shredded cheese.
Easy One-Pot Mexican Beef Dinner Recipe
Ingredients
- 500 g 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 200 g 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
- 500 ml 2 cups beef broth
- 1 can 400g diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 can 425g black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 can 300g corn, drained
- 150 g 1 ½ cups shredded Cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- Taco Seasoning: 1 tbsp chili powder 2 tsp cumin, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp oregano, ½ tsp salt, ½ tsp pepper
- Garnish: Fresh cilantro
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix all taco seasoning ingredients.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté onion for 3-4 minutes. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain fat.
- Stir in garlic and the taco seasoning. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in beef broth, undrained diced tomatoes, and uncooked rice. Bring to a simmer.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 15 minutes.
- Remove lid, stir in the rinsed black beans and drained corn.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top. Cover again and let it stand for 2-5 minutes, until the cheese is fully melted.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- For a spicier version, add ¼ tsp cayenne pepper to the seasoning blend.
- Serve with sour cream, avocado, and salsa.
- Leftovers are delicious and can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can I use a different type of meat? Absolutely! This recipe is fantastic with ground turkey or ground chicken for a leaner option. You can also use plant-based ground “meat” for a vegetarian version; just make sure to use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
2. Can I use brown rice instead of white rice? Yes, but you will need to make some adjustments. Brown rice requires more liquid and a longer cooking time. I recommend increasing the beef broth to 2 ½ cups (600 ml) and increasing the initial covered simmering time (Step 4) to about 35-40 minutes before adding the beans and corn.
3. Is this recipe very spicy? As written, this recipe is quite mild and very family-friendly. The “chili powder” commonly found in German supermarkets is not overly spicy. The heat is easy to control. To make it spicier, add some cayenne pepper, fresh diced jalapeños, or a dash of your favorite hot sauce.
4. What are the best toppings for this Mexican beef skillet? Toppings are the best part! Classic choices include a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt, diced avocado or a scoop of guacamole, fresh salsa or pico de gallo, sliced jalapeños for some heat, and a handful of crushed tortilla chips for a fantastic crunch right before serving.
Time for a Fiesta?
This one-pot wonder has saved many of my Mondays, and I truly hope it becomes a lifesaver in your kitchen, too. It’s proof that you don’t need a lot of time or a lot of dishes to make a meal that’s bursting with flavor. If you try it, I’d love to hear how it went in the comments below!
For more easy, family-friendly dinner ideas, be sure to follow me on Pinterest and Instagram. Looking for the perfect topping? Try this dish with my Spicy Korean Bulgogi Beef Dinner Recipe.