Break up with the box! Homemade Crunchy Taco Hamburger Helper squashes the craving for something hearty and satisfying in a much healthier way than store-bought hamburger helper. This quick and easy one-pan, 30 minute meal is made from a handful of everyday ingredients and is a true family favorite.
“I’ve been making this recipe for a few years now. My whole family loves it! It’s simple, straight forward ingredients I always have on hand, and delicious. Definitely a recipe that should be added to your rotation.”
If you’ve had a busy week and didn’t made it to the grocery store, my Homemade Crunchy Taco Hamburger Helper is an easy ground beef dinner recipe made with ingredients I can almost guarantee you already have on hand.
Made in 1 pan, ready in 30 minutes, plus the recipe calls for just 7 ingredients (compared to the boxed version’s 27 – yes, I counted), my family inhales this “taco rice” for dinner every single time I make it!
Watch How to Make It
Healthier Homemade Hamburger Helper
One of my favorite things to do is remake processed, packaged foods to make them healthier at home.
Today Homemade Crunchy Taco Hamburger Helper is joining the ranks. Heck it may even be the new captain.
All aboard!
Pin this now to find it later
Pin ItOk, that was cheesier than this delicious dish which features ground beef seasoned with homemade taco seasoning that’s simmered with long grain white rice and chicken broth until tender.
Freshly shredded cheddar cheese is stirred in at the end then the whole dish is topped with taco-inspired extras like salsa, avocado, green onions, and crushed tortilla chips.
If your family likes quick, easy and satisfying meals – and tacos, of course! – they will gobble this one up.
How to Make this Recipe
Step 1: Grown the ground beef.
Start by browning ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat with chopped shallot or onion. Drain away any excess fat in a colander then return the beef to the skillet.
Step 2: Season with taco seasoning.
Next sprinkle in taco seasoning. I recommend my single packet recipe, or 2 Tablespoons of my large batch taco seasoning. A store-bought taco seasoning packet is fine too.
Recipe Note
Whichever seasoning you use, do not add the water that’s called for in the seasoning recipe or on the packet.
Step 3: Add the liquid.
Next add your favorite salsa plus chicken broth then turn the heat up to high and bring the liquid to a simmer.
Step 4: Add the rice then simmer.
Once simmering, stir in long-grain white rice then place a lid on top, turn the heat down to low, and cook until the rice is tender and all the liquid is nearly absorbed, about 15 minutes.
Step 5: Stir in shredded cheese then serve.
Remove the skillet from the heat then stir in freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese until smooth and melted. Place a lid on top then let the rice continue to steam and soften for 5 minutes.
When time is up, scoop the homemade taco hamburger helper onto plates then add your toppings and dig in.
Just think of how much better you’ll feel serving this hearty meal to your family knowing it didn’t come from a preservative-filled box. Plus it’s so easy – like I said, 30 minutes from start to finish. Enjoy!
More One Pan Dinner Recipes You’ll Love
- One Pot Chicken and Rice
- Beef and Veggie Enchilada Skillet
- One Pot Gnocchi Chicken Pot Pie
- American Goulash
- Italian Rice Ball Skillet
- Cheesy Chicken Burrito Skillet
- Creamy Summer Veggie Gnocchi Skillet
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 large shallot or 1/2 small onion, chopped
- 1 recipe homemade taco seasoning
- 1/2 cup salsa
- 1-3/4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup long grain white rice, Lundberg recommended
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- Toppings: tortilla chips, salsa, sliced avocado, chopped green onions
Directions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and shallot or onion then brown the beef until cooked through. Drain in a colander then return the mixture to the skillet. Add the taco seasoning, salsa, and chicken broth then stir to combine and bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Once simmering, add the rice, stir to combine, place a lid on top of the skillet, then turn the heat to low – the liquid should barely be bubbling. Simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the rice is tender then remove the skillet from the heat, sprinkle the cheese on top, and stir until smooth and melted. Place the lid back on top then let sit for 5 minutes before serving with toppings.
Notes
- For the taco seasoning: use my single packet recipe, 2 Tablespoons of my large batch homemade taco seasoning, or a store-bought taco seasoning packet.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.
I just have to say this is so yummy. I added a can of black beans before cooking rice and a can of corn when I did the cheese. It’s great the first day and even better as leftovers.
Oh I’m so glad this was a hit, Kari!! Thank you so much for your feedback and recipe rating!
Making this delicious and easy staple again tonight.
I’m so glad to hear this is a staple recipe for you, Jennifer! Thank you so much for your feedback and recipe rating!
This recipe has become a weekly dinner in our house. I have to double it every time I make it because everyone wants seconds or even third helpings! Thank you!
I’m thrilled to hear that, Becca!! Thank you so much for your feedback and recipe rating!
This is amazing!! Please make it, you will be so happy. It is the best kind of comfort food – so fun with all the toppings, delicious leftovers- if you have any!
Thank you so much for the glowing recommendation, Lisa! I so appreciate it!
I made this tonight for the first time and IT WAS THE BEST!! So good, quick and easy. Major bonus points for it being a one pan meal. Will definitely be adding this to our dinner rotation
I’m so, so glad to hear it, GeeAnn! It is in heavy rotation at our house for the exact same reasons. Thank you so much for your feedback and recipe rating!
Great easy dinner. Family loved it!
So glad to hear it, Justin! I’m making it for dinner tonight. :) Thank you so much for your feedback and recipe rating!
This is delicious and I have made your recipe plenty times. Sometimes the rice gets mushy. In this recipe that you show, what rice do you use?
I only use Lundberg Family Farms brand rice. This is their jasmine rice (pink bag) shown in this dish. :)
Delicious, thank you. I uses ground chicken and it worked great.
Perfect! So glad it was a hit, Susanne!
This is super easy and something everyone in our family enjoys. Perfect for our dinner rotation!
Such a crowd pleaser, right? So glad it was a hit with the whole family, Maggie – thank you so much for your feedback and recipe rating!
Need a gluten recipe for vegetable beef soup no tomato juices
7 years later…still making this and my family is still loving it. Never gets old!!
I really liked your dish, crunchy taco hamburger helper. But I thought I had grabbed the salsa but it turned out to be taco sauce and where I thought I had taco seasoning, I had fajitas seasoning. But you know what? It turned out great!. A new dish but what a delicious dish.
WOW!!!! This knocked my socks off! AND my husband’s! So good! Seriously, if I could only eat one thing for the rest of my life, I would consider this as an option. Thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe. It’s definitely a keeper!
Ahh – what a compliment!! Thrilled to hear you and your husband both deemed this recipe a winner – thank you so much for letting me know!