Ground beef taco bowls are an easy dinner built with seasoned beef, rice, and fresh toppings for a meal that is filling, customizable, and great for busy nights. This version keeps things simple with ingredients that are easy to prep and easy to layer into bowls everyone can build their own way.
A Quick Look at the Recipe
✅ Recipe Name: Ground Beef Taco Bowls
🕒 Ready In: ~25 minutes
👪 Serves: 4 servings
🍽 Calories: ~520 per serving (estimated)
🥣 Main Ingredients: Ground beef, taco seasoning, tomato paste, white rice, black beans, corn, pico de gallo, cheddar cheese
📖 Dietary Info: Gluten-free if using gluten-free taco seasoning
👌 Difficulty: Easy - cook beef, build bowls, serve
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This recipe works well for both weeknight dinners and meal prep because everything comes together with simple ingredients and can be layered however you like. The seasoned beef, rice, beans, corn, pico, and cheese make these bowls hearty, flavorful, and easy to keep in your regular dinner rotation.
If you want more easy dinner ideas with big flavor, try our Honey Mustard Salmon, Chicken Feta Burgers, or Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil.
Jump to:
- A Quick Look at the Recipe
- Why You'll Love this Ground Beef Taco Bowls:
- Key Ingredients:
- Easy Substitutions & Variations:
- How to Make Ground Beef Taco Bowls:
- Recipe Notes & Tips:
- How to Store:
- Ground Beef Taco Bowls FAQs:
- More Dinner Recipes You'll Love
- Get a FREE Healthy Meal Planning Ebook
- Ground Beef Taco Bowls
Why You'll Love this Ground Beef Taco Bowls:
Easy weeknight dinner: These taco bowls come together quickly and use simple ingredients that are easy to keep on hand.
Hearty and filling: The ground beef, rice, beans, corn, and cheese make this a satisfying meal that works well for lunch or dinner.
Easy to customize: Everyone can build their bowl with the toppings they like best, which makes this great for families.
Great for meal prep: The different components store well, so these bowls are easy to make ahead for the week.
Key Ingredients:
- ground beef. This is the base of the bowls and makes them hearty and satisfying. It cooks quickly and works well with the taco seasoning.
- taco seasoning. Gives the beef that classic taco flavor and keeps the recipe simple.
- white rice. Adds a filling base that makes the bowls feel like a full meal.
- black beans and corn. These add extra texture, flavor, and help round out the bowls.
- pico de gallo. Adds freshness and brightness that helps balance the richer ingredients in the bowl.
- cheddar cheese. Gives the bowls a little richness and that classic taco night finish.
Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this page for exact quantities.
Easy Substitutions & Variations:
- Use a different protein: Ground turkey or ground chicken can be used instead of ground beef.
- Swap the rice: Brown rice, cauliflower rice, or cilantro lime rice all work well in these bowls.
- Add more toppings: Avocado, sour cream, jalapeños, shredded lettuce, or crushed tortilla chips all make great additions.
- Use a different cheese: Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or a Mexican blend all work well instead of cheddar.
- Make it spicier: Add hot sauce, diced jalapeños, or extra taco seasoning if you want more heat.
How to Make Ground Beef Taco Bowls:
- Step 1: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the ground beef. Cook the beef, breaking it up as it browns, until fully cooked through. Drain any excess grease if needed. Stir in the taco seasoning and tomato paste until the beef is evenly coated
- Step 2: Warm the black beans and corn if desired. Divide the cooked rice between bowls, then top with the seasoned ground beef, black beans, corn, pico de gallo, and shredded cheddar cheese. Serve right away with any extra toppings you like.
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Recipe Notes & Tips:
- Break up the beef well: Cooking the ground beef into small crumbles helps it mix more evenly with the seasoning and makes the bowls easier to eat.
- Drain if needed: If your beef gives off a lot of grease, drain the excess so the bowls do not feel too heavy.
- Warm the toppings if you want: The black beans and corn can be added cold or warmed slightly depending on how you want to serve the bowls.
- Set everything out for easy serving: Laying out all the components makes it easy for everyone to build their own taco bowl.
- Great for leftovers: Store the beef, rice, and toppings separately so the bowls stay fresher for meal prep.
How to Store:
Refrigerator: Store the ground beef, rice, beans, corn, pico de gallo, and cheese in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheating: Warm the ground beef and rice in the microwave or in a skillet until heated through, then add the cold toppings after reheating.
Best for meal prep: Keeping the components separate helps the bowls stay fresh and makes them easy to assemble throughout the week.
Ground Beef Taco Bowls FAQs:
Ground beef taco bowls usually include seasoned ground beef, rice, beans, corn, cheese, and fresh toppings like pico de gallo, avocado, or lettuce. They are meant to give you all the flavors of taco night in an easy bowl format.
Yes, ground beef taco bowls are great for meal prep. You can cook the beef and rice ahead of time, store the toppings separately, and assemble the bowls when you are ready to eat.
White rice is a simple option for ground beef taco bowls because it is easy to make and pairs well with the seasoned beef and toppings. Brown rice, cilantro lime rice, or cauliflower rice also work well depending on what you prefer.
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Ground Beef Taco Bowls
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- ⅓ cup taco seasoning
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 3 cups white rice, cooked
- 1 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup corn
- 1 cup pico de gallo
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the ground beef.
- Cook the beef, breaking it up as it browns, until fully cooked through. Drain any excess grease if needed.
- Stir in the taco seasoning and tomato paste until the beef is evenly coated and flavorful.
- Warm the black beans and corn if desired.
- Divide the cooked rice between bowls, then top with the seasoned ground beef, black beans, corn, pico de gallo, and shredded cheddar cheese.
- Serve right away with any extra toppings you like.
Nutrition
Notes
- Break up the beef well: Cooking the ground beef into small crumbles helps it mix more evenly with the seasoning and makes the bowls easier to eat.
- Drain if needed: If your beef gives off a lot of grease, drain the excess so the bowls do not feel too heavy.
- Warm the toppings if you want: The black beans and corn can be added cold or warmed slightly depending on how you want to serve the bowls.
- Set everything out for easy serving: Laying out all the components makes it easy for everyone to build their own taco bowl.
- Great for leftovers: Store the beef, rice, and toppings separately so the bowls stay fresher for meal prep.
Kae says
This was great, everyone got to pick what they wanted for their bowl and every my picky eaters finished it!