Description
This Easy Burrito Bowls recipe offers a quick and flavorful meal packed with seasoned ground beef, white rice, black beans, corn, and melted Monterey Jack cheese. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s perfect for meal prep or a satisfying dinner, topped with fresh lettuce, tomato, cilantro, and a zesty southwest sauce for added brightness.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins & Dairy
- 1 lb extra lean ground beef (16 oz)
- 2 oz Monterey Jack cheese (56 g), grated
Grains & Legumes
- 2 cups cooked white rice (316 g)
- 1 cup canned black beans (150 g), rinsed and drained
- 1 cup canned corn (150 g), drained
Seasonings & Sauces
- 1 tbsp taco seasoning*
- 1 tbsp tomato paste (15 g)
- 1/4 cup water
Toppings
- Lettuce, chopped
- Tomato, diced
- Cilantro, chopped
- Limes, cut into wedges
- Southwest sauce (for topping)
Notes
- *Taco seasoning can be store-bought or homemade. Typical homemade blend includes chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper.
Instructions
- Cook the rice: Prepare the white rice according to package instructions, usually by boiling or using a rice cooker. Use 1 cup of dry rice to yield 2 cups cooked. Set aside and keep warm.
- Cook the ground beef: Heat a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, cooking and stirring to break it into small pieces until fully browned and no longer pink. Drain off any excess liquid or fat to prevent sogginess.
- Add seasonings: To the cooked beef, add 1 tablespoon taco seasoning, 1 tablespoon tomato paste, and 1/4 cup water. Stir well until everything is fully combined and heated through. Remove from heat.
- Assemble the bowls: Evenly divide the cooked rice into 4 containers, about 1/2 cup each. Top each with 1/4 of the seasoned beef, 1/4 cup canned corn, 1/4 cup black beans, and 1/2 oz grated Monterey Jack cheese. Add your preferred toppings such as chopped lettuce, diced tomato, cilantro, a squeeze of lime, and drizzle southwest sauce to taste.
- Store and Serve: Cover the bowls with lids and refrigerate for up to 4 days. When ready to eat, reheat thoroughly and add fresh toppings as desired before serving.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to keep this meal healthier and reduce excess fat.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with sautéed mushrooms or plant-based meat alternatives.
- Cooking taco seasoning from scratch is easy and lets you adjust spice levels to your preference.
- This recipe stores well for meal prep and can be reheated in the microwave or on the stovetop.
- Adding fresh lime juice right before eating brightens the flavors and adds a fresh zing.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Keywords: Easy Burrito Bowls, Ground Beef Burrito Bowl, Quick Mexican Dinner, Meal Prep Burrito Bowl, Healthy Burrito Recipe
