Cheap Weeknight Dinner: One-Pot Taco Rice & Beans Skillet
One-Pot Taco Rice and Beans Skillet is a budget-friendly vegetarian dinner made with rice, canned beans, tomatoes, corn, and taco spices. Everything cooks together in one pan, making it practical for busy weeknights, easy to clean up, and flexible for toppings.
Inspired by Kitchen Tutor
Ingredients
- olive oil1 tablespoon
- yellow onion, finely chopped1 small
- green bell pepper, diced1 medium
- garlic, minced2 cloves
- long-grain white rice, rinsed and drained1 cup
- chili powder1 tablespoon
- ground cumin1 teaspoon
- smoked paprika1/2 teaspoon
- dried oregano1/2 teaspoon
- kosher salt3/4 teaspoon
- black pepper1/4 teaspoon
- black beans, drained and rinsed1 can, 15 ounces
- diced tomatoes with juices1 can, 14.5 ounces
- frozen corn1 cup
- low-sodium vegetable broth1 3/4 cups
- lime juice1 tablespoon
- chopped cilantro, optional2 tablespoons
Instructions
- 1
Heat the olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and bell pepper, then cook for 4 minutes, stirring often.
- 2
Add the garlic and rice. Stir for 1 minute so the rice is lightly coated and the garlic smells fragrant, but not browned.
- 3
Sprinkle in the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to season the rice before adding liquid.
- 4
Add the black beans, diced tomatoes with juices, frozen corn, and vegetable broth. Scrape the bottom of the skillet to release any seasoning.
- 5
Bring the mixture to a steady simmer. Cover, reduce the heat to low, and cook for 17 to 19 minutes, until the rice is tender.
- 6
Turn off the heat and keep the skillet covered for 5 minutes. This rest helps the rice finish steaming and prevents a wet texture.
- 7
Fluff the rice gently with a fork. Stir in the lime juice, sprinkle with cilantro if using, and serve warm with any simple toppings.
Tutor's tips
- •Rinse the rice until the water runs mostly clear. This removes excess starch and helps the skillet cook up fluffy instead of gummy.
- •Keep the heat low once covered. A hard boil can scorch the bottom before the rice in the center becomes tender.
- •For a fuller meal, top each bowl with avocado, shredded lettuce, salsa, plain yogurt, or a fried egg if your budget allows.
