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Cheesy Taco Beef and Rice Foil Packets ready for a delicious family dinner.

Cheesy Taco Beef and Rice Foil Packets

Delicious and easy-to-make taco packets filled with seasoned beef, rice, corn, and cheese, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or meal prep.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 packets
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican, Tex-Mex
Calories: 500

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey)
  • 1 packet taco seasoning (or 2 to 3 tablespoons homemade)
  • 1 cup cooked rice (white, brown, or leftover takeout rice)
  • 1 cup canned corn, drained
  • 1 cup black beans, rinsed and drained (optional) Optional but filling
  • 1 cup salsa or diced tomatoes with green chiles
  • 1 to 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Mexican blend, or pepper jack) Adjust to preference
  • Salt and pepper As needed
Optional Toppings
  • sour cream
  • jalapenos
  • cilantro
  • lime wedges
  • crushed tortilla chips

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 400 F. If grilling, aim for medium heat.
  2. Brown the ground beef in a skillet. Drain extra grease if needed. Stir in taco seasoning and a splash of water, then simmer for a minute or two until it looks saucy.
  3. In a bowl, mix the cooked beef with rice, corn, beans if using, and salsa. Taste it and adjust with salt, pepper, or extra salsa.
Assembly
  1. Tear off 4 large pieces of foil. Spray lightly with cooking spray or rub with a tiny bit of oil.
  2. Scoop the taco rice mixture into the center of each foil piece. Top each with a generous handful of cheese.
  3. Fold the foil into packets. Bring the long sides up, fold them together, then fold in the ends so it is sealed.
Cooking
  1. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, just until hot and the cheese is melted. On the grill, it is usually about 10 to 12 minutes, flipping once carefully.
  2. Let them sit for 2 minutes before opening. Open carefully and top with your desired toppings.

Notes

Do not overstuff the foil packets. Adjust bake time if assembling ahead. Use heavy-duty foil to prevent tearing.