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Cheesy Taco Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet – A Fast, Flavor-Packed Weeknight Dinner

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground beef (80–90% lean)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil (if needed)
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced (optional but recommended)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 12–16 ounces cauliflower rice (fresh or frozen)
  • 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, well drained
  • 1/2 cup canned tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium beef or chicken broth (as needed)
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste (optional, for richness)
  • 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4–1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper or cayenne (optional, for heat)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Method
 

  1. Brown the beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until browned with crispy bits, 5–7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan.
  2. Sauté aromatics: Add onion and bell pepper. Cook until softened, 3–4 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds, until fragrant.
  3. Season it up: Sprinkle in the taco seasoning. Stir to coat the beef and veggies. Add tomato paste if using and cook 1 minute to bloom the spices.
  4. Add cauliflower rice: Stir in the cauliflower rice and cook 3–5 minutes (a bit longer if frozen) until tender and most moisture evaporates. Avoid overcooking so it stays slightly firm.
  5. Tomatoes and sauce: Add drained diced tomatoes and tomato sauce. If the skillet looks dry, splash in 1/4–1/2 cup broth. Simmer 2–3 minutes to meld flavors.
  6. Adjust seasoning: Taste and add more salt, pepper, or chili powder as needed.
  7. Get it cheesy: Reduce heat to low. Sprinkle cheese evenly over the top. Cover the skillet and let the cheese melt, 1–2 minutes.
  8. Finish and serve: Top with green onions and cilantro. Serve as is, or with avocado, sour cream, jalapeños, or a squeeze of lime.