Santa Fe Beef and Rice Skillet

This is a one-pan take on my usual beef taco bowl, cooking the rice right in with the beef and vegetables instead of keeping everything separate. It's a good option whenever I want fewer dishes at the end of a prep session.

Cooking everything in one skillet means the rice picks up some of the taco seasoning as it all comes together, instead of tasting like a plain side. Black beans and corn add the same heartiness I look for in any Southwest-style bowl.

Cheese melted over the top at the end gives this a slightly richer finish than my usual taco bowls. It's a straightforward recipe, but combining everything into one pan makes it feel a little more put-together.

The recipe card has the full ingredient list and cook time for all ten portions. Let everything cool before sealing the containers, then refrigerate what you'll eat within four days and freeze the rest. This Santa Fe skillet is an easy one-pan alternative to my usual beef bowls.

Nutrition note: This is general food information, not individualized medical or nutrition advice.

Santa Fe Beef and Rice Skillet

YIELD

10 portions

ESTIMATED NUTRITION

605 calories • 46g protein • 54g carbs • 22g fat per portion

What I really like about this recipe is that everything cooks in one pan, which cuts down on both prep and cleanup.

Ingredients

• 3 3/4 lb ground beef

• 7 1/2 cups cooked rice

• 2 1/2 cans black beans, drained

• 2 1/2 cups corn

• 2 1/2 bell peppers, diced

• 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend

• 5 tbsp taco seasoning

• salt and pepper

Directions

1. Brown the ground beef with the bell peppers; drain excess fat.

2. Stir in taco seasoning, black beans, and corn; simmer 5 minutes.

3. Fold in the cooked rice and top with cheese until melted.

4. Let the food cool briefly, then divide it evenly among 10 airtight meal-prep containers.

Meal-prep notes: Refrigerate promptly and use refrigerated portions within 3–4 days; freeze any portions you will not eat in that window. Reheat hot meals until steaming and 165°F internally. Nutrition is estimated per portion.