Ground Beef Taco Rice Bowls (Perfect for Meal Prep)
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These Ground Beef Taco Rice Bowls are an easy meal prep recipe made with seasoned ground beef, fluffy rice, beans, corn, and your favorite taco toppings. They’re affordable, easy to customize, and perfect for preparing lunches or dinners ahead of time.
I make this easy taco bowl recipe on busy weeknights when I don’t want a complicated dinner but still want something hearty and satisfying.
If your family loves my 10 Minute Mexican Rice or Mexican Enchilada Casserole, this taco rice bowl dinner is going to fit right into your regular rotation.
Table of contents
- Why These Ground Beef Taco Rice Bowls Work for Meal Prep
- Ingredients for Taco Rice Bowls
- How to Make Taco Rice Bowls
- Best Rice for Taco Bowls
- How to Customize Your Ground Beef Taco Bowl
- Can You Make Taco Rice Bowls for Meal Prep?
- How to Meal Prep Taco Rice Bowls
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Easy Ground Beef Dinner Recipes
Why These Ground Beef Taco Rice Bowls Work for Meal Prep
These Ground Beef Taco Rice Bowls check all the boxes for a great meal prep recipe.
They’re quick and easy to make, use simple budget-friendly ingredients, and reheat well throughout the week.
The seasoned ground beef and rice create a filling base that stays flavorful for days, while the toppings can be customized to fit your family’s preferences. Keep things simple or add your favorite taco toppings to make each bowl your own.
Whether you’re preparing lunches for the workweek or looking for easy dinners to have ready in the refrigerator, these taco rice bowls make mealtime simple.
Ingredients for Taco Rice Bowls
Here’s what you’ll need to make these easy taco rice bowls:
For the Taco Beef
- Lean ground beef (90 to 97 percent lean)
- Taco seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- Water
For the Bowl Base
- Cooked white rice or brown rice
Toppings
- Black beans
- Corn
- Shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- Shredded lettuce
- Diced tomatoes or pico de gallo
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt
- Avocado
- Fresh cilantro
- Lime wedges
The beauty of a taco bowl dinner is that you can mix and match based on what your family likes.
How to Make Taco Rice Bowls
That’s it. Dinner is ready in minutes.
Best Rice for Taco Bowls
You can use white rice, brown rice, or even cilantro lime rice as the base for these taco rice bowls. If you want extra flavor, serve this with my 10 Minute Mexican Rice for a bold, seasoned option that pairs perfectly with the taco beef.
If you’re short on time, Minute Rice works beautifully here and makes this taco bowl dinner come together even faster on busy weeknights. Just cook it according to package directions and build your bowls from there.
For a lighter option, you can also substitute cauliflower rice.
How to Customize Your Ground Beef Taco Bowl
One of my favorite things about taco rice bowls is how easy they are to customize.
- Add extra cheese for a richer bowl.
- Swap sour cream for Greek yogurt.
- Add jalapeños for heat.
- Use ground turkey instead of beef.
- Layer on extra lettuce for crunch.
This easy taco bowl recipe works for everyone at the table.
Can You Make Taco Rice Bowls for Meal Prep?
Yes, absolutely.
Store the rice and taco meat together in airtight containers and keep fresh toppings separate. Reheat the base, then add lettuce, avocado, and sour cream just before serving.
These taco rice bowls reheat well and make a simple lunch option throughout the week.
And if you need more meal prep ideas, try my Honey Garlic Chicken Bowls with Coconut Jasmine Rice or my Teriyaki Ground Beef Rice Bowls. They’re both super easy and delicious.
How to Meal Prep Taco Rice Bowls
These Ground Beef Taco Rice Bowls are a great meal prep option because they’re easy to make, budget-friendly, and reheat well throughout the week.
Prepare the beef, rice, beans, and corn as directed, then divide the mixture evenly among meal prep containers. Allow everything to cool slightly before covering and refrigerating for up to 4 days.
For the freshest results, store toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, sour cream, and salsa separately and add them just before serving. When you’re ready to eat, simply reheat the beef and rice mixture in the microwave and finish with your favorite taco toppings.
Making a batch at the beginning of the week is an easy way to have several lunches or quick dinners ready to go whenever you need them.
Frequently Asked Questions
A taco rice bowl is a deconstructed taco served over rice instead of in a tortilla. It includes seasoned ground beef, rice, and classic taco toppings like beans, cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes.
Yes. Ground turkey works well in this taco rice bowl recipe. Just be sure to season it well and avoid overcooking.
They can be. Using lean ground beef and adding plenty of vegetables makes this a balanced and filling dinner. You can also control toppings to fit your preferences.
Yes. Swap the rice for cauliflower rice and reduce or skip the beans and corn.
These Easy Taco Rice Bowls with ground beef are the kind of simple, customizable dinner that makes busy weeknights easier. With seasoned beef, warm rice, and your favorite toppings, it’s a meal the whole family can build exactly how they like it.
If you try this taco rice bowl recipe, leave a comment and let me know what toppings you used. I love hearing how you make these recipes your own.
Easy Taco Rice Bowls with Ground Beef
Ingredients
For the Taco Beef
- 1½ pounds lean ground beef, 90 to 97 percent lean
- 1 packet taco seasoning or homemade taco seasoning
- ½ cup water
For the Bowl Base
- 2 cups cooked white rice or brown rice, I like to use Minute Rice
Toppings
- 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup whole kernel corn, or Southwest-style corn
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1 cup diced tomatoes or pico de gallo
- ½ cup sour cream or Greek Yogurt
- 1 avocado, diced
- Fresh cilantro
- Lime wedges
Directions
- Brown the lean ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Drain excess grease if needed.
- Stir in taco seasoning and water. Simmer until thickened.
- Warm the rice and divide between bowls.
- Top with taco meat.
- Add beans, corn, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and avocado.
- Finish with sour cream, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.
Nutrition Facts
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More Easy Ground Beef Dinner Recipes
If you love simple, family-friendly dinners made with ground beef, here are a few more favorites you’ll want to try:
- Mexican Enchilada Casserole
- Ground Beef Rice and Beans
- Million Dollar Spaghetti with Alfredo Sauce
- Lean Meatloaf
- Easy Beef Stroganoff
These easy dinner recipes are perfect for busy nights when you need something reliable and satisfying.
