Description
A flavorful and hearty Cheesy Turkey Rice Taco Skillet packed with seasoned ground turkey, colorful bell peppers, black beans, corn, and tomatoes, all combined with rice and topped with melted cheddar cheese. This easy one-pan meal is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, offering the comforting taste of tacos in a convenient skillet dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Vegetables
- 1-2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 2 bell peppers (1 red and 1 green), diced
- ½ medium red onion, diced
- 1 can diced green chilies (4 oz.)
- 1 can corn kernels, drained (15.25 oz., approx. 1½ cups)
- 1 can black beans (15 oz.)
- 1 can diced tomatoes with juices (14.5 oz.)
- ¼ cup cilantro, chopped
Spices and Seasonings
- 1½ tsp garlic powder, divided
- 1 packet taco seasoning (1 – 1.3 oz.)
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- juice of 1 lime
Grains and Dairy
- 1½ cup rice, pre-cooked
- ½ cup tomato sauce
- 2 – 2½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Heat the pan: Warm a large sauté pan, skillet, or shallow Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil and let it heat until it glistens.
- Sauté vegetables: Add the diced onion and bell peppers to the pan. Stir regularly and cook until onions become translucent. Push the veggies to the side of the pan.
- Cook the turkey: Add the ground turkey to the empty side of the pan. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of garlic powder over the turkey and let it cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes, then break it apart into smaller pieces. Continue cooking until the turkey is fully cooked and no longer pink, mixing with the vegetables.
- Add remaining ingredients: Turn the heat down to medium. Add diced tomatoes, green chilies, black beans, corn, rice, taco seasoning, remaining garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together and let it simmer for 4-6 minutes until heated through.
- Mix in cheese and flavorings: Check that the rice is fully heated. Stir in 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, tomato sauce, lime juice, and chopped cilantro. Continue stirring until the cheese melts evenly.
- Broil the cheese: Remove the skillet from heat, sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over the top. Place the skillet under a high broiler for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is melted and starts to brown.
- Cool and serve: Remove from the oven and let the skillet cool for 5-10 minutes. Serve topped with extra cilantro and any additional taco toppings you like.
Notes
- Use pre-cooked rice to save time and ensure even heating.
- Adjust the amount of taco seasoning and salt to your taste preference for spice and sodium levels.
- For a spicier dish, add diced jalapeños or hot sauce.
- Feel free to substitute cheddar cheese with a Mexican cheese blend for extra flavor.
- If you don’t have broiler access, melt the cheese on the stovetop over low heat then cover the pan briefly to let cheese melt.
