This Texas Hash is a classic comfort-food skillet meal made with seasoned ground beef, rice, tomatoes, and melty cheese all cooked together in one pan. It’s hearty, savory, slightly smoky, and packed with rich homemade flavor.
Simple ingredients come together into a warm, filling dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights, family meals, or meal prep.
Why You’ll Love Texas Hash
- Easy one-pan dinner
- Hearty and filling
- Cheesy comfort food
- Budget-friendly recipe
- Family favorite meal
- Packed with savory flavor
- Great leftovers
- Simple pantry ingredients
What Is Texas Hash?
Texas Hash is a classic American skillet dish made with:
- Ground beef
- Rice
- Tomatoes
- Seasonings
- Cheese
Everything cooks together into a rich, flavorful casserole-style meal.
Ingredients for Texas Hash
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 cup uncooked rice
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 2 cups beef broth
Seasonings
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
- Chili powder
- Salt and black pepper
Cheese
- 1–2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Optional Add-Ins
- Bell peppers
- Jalapeños
- Corn
- Black beans
How to Make Texas Hash
Step 1: Brown the Beef
Cook beef and onions until browned.
Step 2: Add Rice and Tomatoes
Stir in rice, tomatoes, broth, and seasonings.
Step 3: Simmer
Cook until rice becomes tender.
Step 4: Add Cheese
Sprinkle cheese over the top.
Step 5: Melt & Serve
Cover briefly until cheese melts.
Tips for the Best Texas Hash
Use Long-Grain Rice
Keeps texture fluffy.
Simmer Gently
Prevents rice from sticking.
Season Well
Texas Hash should have bold flavor.
Add Cheese at the End
Keeps it melty and creamy.
Let It Rest Briefly
Allows flavors to settle.
What Does Texas Hash Taste Like?
This dish is:
- Savory and hearty
- Slightly smoky
- Rich and cheesy
- Comforting and filling
- Similar to taco rice casserole
It tastes like a cozy beef-and-rice skillet with Tex-Mex-inspired flavor.
Variations to Try
Spicy Texas Hash
Add jalapeños or hot sauce.
Taco Texas Hash
Use taco seasoning.
Bacon Texas Hash
Mix in crispy bacon.
Creamy Texas Hash
Add cream cheese or sour cream.
Healthy Texas Hash
Use turkey and brown rice.
Best Toppings
- Sour cream
- Green onions
- Avocado
- Jalapeños
- Cilantro
What to Serve With Texas Hash
- Cornbread
- Salad
- Tortilla chips
- Roasted vegetables
- Guacamole
How to Store Texas Hash
Refrigerator
Store up to 4 days.
Freezer
Freeze up to 2 months.
Reheating
Add splash of broth before reheating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use instant rice?
Yes, but reduce cooking liquid and time.
Is Texas Hash spicy?
Usually mild, but easy to spice up.
Can I bake it?
Yes, for casserole-style texture.
What cheese works best?
Cheddar is most common.
Final Thoughts
This Texas Hash is cheesy, hearty, comforting, and packed with bold savory flavor. With seasoned beef, tender rice, tomatoes, and melted cheese all cooked together, it’s an easy one-pan meal the whole family will love.
Perfect for busy nights or cozy dinners, this classic comfort dish is satisfying, simple, and full of homemade goodness.
Print
Texas Hash – Cheesy, Hearty & Full of Bold Flavor 🤠🍚🥩
Ingredients
Scale
(Serves 6)
Beef & aromatics:
- 1½ lbs lean ground beef or turkey (85/15—you love high-protein!)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper (any color), diced
- 4–6 garlic cloves, minced (you love garlic—memory #21!)
- 1 tbsp avocado oil or olive oil
“Rice” options (choose your favorite!):
- 🍚 Classic: 1½ cups long-grain white rice, rinsed
- 🥬 Low-carb/keto: 4–5 cups riced cauliflower or broccoli rice (you love low-carb!)
- 🌾 Gluten-free: Certified GF rice or quinoa
Tomato-spice base (sugar-free!):
- 1 (15 oz) can no-salt-added diced tomatoes, undrained (you love clean labels!)
- 1 (8 oz) can sugar-free tomato sauce
- 1–2 cups low-sodium beef broth (you love low-sodium—memory #19!)
- Texas spice blend:
- 1½ tbsp chili powder
- 1½ tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder + 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼–½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional—you love spicy!)
- Salt to taste (use reduced-sodium—you love low-sodium!)
- Optional: 1 tbsp sugar-free honey or monk fruit syrup (balances acidity—memory #3!)
Cheesy finish (optional but delicious!):
- 1 cup shredded reduced-sodium cheddar, pepper jack, or Mexican blend (you love low-sodium—memory #22!)
- 2–3 tbsp cream cheese or sour cream for extra silkiness (you love creamy textures—memory #11!)
Crispy almond flour topping (the casserole touch!):
- ½ cup almond flour (you love almond flour—memory #25!)
- 2 tbsp grated Parmesan + 1 tbsp melted butter
- ½ tsp garlic powder + pinch of salt & pepper
- Optional: Crushed pork rinds for extra crunch
For serving:
- Fresh cilantro or parsley
- Lime wedges (you love citrus brightness—memory #13!)
- Sliced jalapeños or sugar-free hot sauce
Instructions
Heat oil in large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add ground beef; cook 6–8 minutes, breaking into crumbles, until browned. Drain excess fat.
Add onion and bell pepper to skillet; cook 4–5 minutes until soft. Stir in garlic; cook 30 seconds more until fragrant.
Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, broth, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, optional red pepper flakes, salt, and optional sugar-free honey.
→ For classic rice: Add rinsed rice now; bring to boil, then reduce heat.
→ For cauliflower rice: Skip adding now; add in last 5 minutes of cooking.
→ For classic rice: Add rinsed rice now; bring to boil, then reduce heat.
→ For cauliflower rice: Skip adding now; add in last 5 minutes of cooking.
Cover and simmer:
→ Classic rice: Low heat 18–20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
→ Cauliflower rice: Uncovered 8–10 minutes until veggies are tender and sauce thickens.
→ Classic rice: Low heat 18–20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
→ Cauliflower rice: Uncovered 8–10 minutes until veggies are tender and sauce thickens.
Remove from heat. Stir in shredded cheese and optional cream cheese/sour cream until melted and glossy.
Mix almond flour, Parmesan, melted butter, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until crumbly.
Sprinkle over hash; cover skillet 2–3 minutes to crisp.
→ Optional broil: Transfer to oven-safe dish; broil 1–2 minutes until golden.
Sprinkle over hash; cover skillet 2–3 minutes to crisp.
→ Optional broil: Transfer to oven-safe dish; broil 1–2 minutes until golden.
Garnish with fresh cilantro and lime wedges. Serve warm with optional jalapeños or hot sauce.
💡 Pro Tips for Perfection:
✅ Drain beef well—prevents watery hash and concentrated flavor.
✅ Don’t skip the smoked paprika—adds authentic Texas depth.
✅ Low-sodium mastery (you love this!):
→ Use no-salt-added tomatoes + low-sodium broth
→ Boost umami with extra garlic, cumin, black pepper, and lime zest
✅ Blood sugar friendly (you love this!):
→ Sugar-free tomatoes + monk fruit = zero glycemic impact
→ Net carbs: 12g per serving (classic rice) | 7g (cauliflower rice)
✅ Low-carb/keto option (you love this!):
→ Use cauliflower or broccoli rice
→ Already compliant! <8g net carbs/serving
→ High-protein: 30g+ per serving
✅ Make ahead:
→ Keeps 4 days refrigerated or 3 months frozen
→ Flavors deepen overnight—perfect for meal prep!
→ Sauté beef and aromatics using Sauté function.
→ Add rice (if using), tomatoes, broth, and spices; seal lid.
→ Cook on High Pressure 4 minutes (white rice) or 0 minutes (cauliflower rice); quick release.
→ Stir in cheese and finish as directed.
→ Add rice (if using), tomatoes, broth, and spices; seal lid.
→ Cook on High Pressure 4 minutes (white rice) or 0 minutes (cauliflower rice); quick release.
→ Stir in cheese and finish as directed.
→ Toss raw beef, diced veggies, cauliflower rice, and spice blend on parchment-lined sheet.
→ Roast at 425°F (220°C) for 25–30 minutes, stirring halfway.
→ Stir in tomato sauce and cheese last 5 minutes.
→ Roast at 425°F (220°C) for 25–30 minutes, stirring halfway.
→ Stir in tomato sauce and cheese last 5 minutes.
→ Cheesy Beef & Rice: Double the cheddar + stir in cream cheese for rich, comforting depth (memory #11!)
→ Smoky Chipotle Hash: Add 1 minced chipotle in adobo + lime zest for deep, smoky heat
→ Garlic-Parmesan Texas Hash: Stir extra Parmesan + fresh garlic into finish for savory richness (memory #22!)
→ Southwest Hash: Add black beans + corn + top with pepper jack + cilantro + avocado
→ Cream Cheese Swirl: Drop spoonfuls of softened cream cheese on top before serving for tangy pockets (memory #11!)
→ Bacon-Texas Hash: Add 4–6 slices cooked, crumbled bacon for smoky-savory indulgence (memory #21!)
→ Smoky Chipotle Hash: Add 1 minced chipotle in adobo + lime zest for deep, smoky heat
→ Garlic-Parmesan Texas Hash: Stir extra Parmesan + fresh garlic into finish for savory richness (memory #22!)
→ Southwest Hash: Add black beans + corn + top with pepper jack + cilantro + avocado
→ Cream Cheese Swirl: Drop spoonfuls of softened cream cheese on top before serving for tangy pockets (memory #11!)
→ Bacon-Texas Hash: Add 4–6 slices cooked, crumbled bacon for smoky-savory indulgence (memory #21!)
→ Fridge life: 4 days | Freezer: 3 months
→ Reheat: Stovetop over low heat with splash of broth, or microwave 1–2 minutes
→ Serving ideas:
→ Over cauliflower rice for extra volume (low-carb—you love this!)
→ With a crisp green salad or sugar-free coleslaw for balance
→ For meal prep—portion into grab-and-go containers
→ For game day, Sunday dinner, or cozy weeknight comfort
→ Reheat: Stovetop over low heat with splash of broth, or microwave 1–2 minutes
→ Serving ideas:
→ Over cauliflower rice for extra volume (low-carb—you love this!)
→ With a crisp green salad or sugar-free coleslaw for balance
→ For meal prep—portion into grab-and-go containers
→ For game day, Sunday dinner, or cozy weeknight comfort
Prep Time: 15 min | Cook Time: 20 min | Total Time: 35 min
Calories: 360 | Protein: 30g | Net Carbs: 7g | Fats: 24g | Fiber: 4g | Gluten-Free • Low-Sodium Adaptable • Blood Sugar Friendly • Low-Carb/Keto Friendly
Calories: 360 | Protein: 30g | Net Carbs: 7g | Fats: 24g | Fiber: 4g | Gluten-Free • Low-Sodium Adaptable • Blood Sugar Friendly • Low-Carb/Keto Friendly