Transform Taco Bell's Rice Into A Cheesy Meal With This Request
Taco Bell has built an empire out of finding different ways to combine approximately the same handful of ingredients into different shapes and textures, so there's no reason its customers shouldn't get in on the action. If you're looking for a cheap, comforting bite, there's a clever way to turn some sides of Taco Bell rice into a cheesy little meal. The secret is to ask for the rice and cheese to be steamed together rather than simply adding cold shredded cheese on top.
The idea comes from one TikTok creator whose bio reads "Taco Bell King," so you know he knows what he's talking about. The recommendation is simple: Order two sides of Taco Bell's seasoned rice with a side of its three-cheese blend sprinkled over the top. You can even ask for a second portion of cheese if you want it extra gooey. Then, ask them to steam the whole thing, allowing the cheese to melt into the warm rice. Finish with a few packets of Taco Bell's free Fire Sauce, the TikToker guides, and you've got a bespoke spicy, cheesy rice bowl assembled from the ingredients on hand.
Taco Bell's three cheese blend combines mozzarella, cheddar and pepper jack, which makes a pretty convincing case for melting it rather than eating it straight. The mozzarella creates a creamy, stretchy cheese-pull texture, the cheddar adds tangy sharpness, and the jack helps develop a mild heat. It's not a complicated combo, but rice and melted cheese are comfort foods — this is basically a discount fast food risotto — and sometimes that's exactly what you need, and there's something deeply satisfying about coaxing variety out of a rote fast food menu.
More ways to remix your Taco Bell rice
The Taco Bell menu has long invited customization. There's a whole art to ordering the Taco Bell secret menu items, with fans swapping proteins, adding or removing toppings, or creating entirely new meals out of a side dish. This particular hack is especially approachable because it doesn't require any elaborate instructions or discontinued Taco Bell menu items. It also doesn't ask employees to perform tricky gymnastics to satisfy your imaginative whims. Of course, whether a particular location will accommodate the idea is ultimately up to the staff.
For something a little more substantial, consider adding beans. Taco Bell already sells a side of Black Beans and Rice, which could be the foundation of a cheesier variation. Beans are a cheap powerhouse ingredient that contribute extra protein and fiber, making the dish more nutrient dense and keeping you full longer than just cheese-augmented carbs. Other add-on possibilities include jalapeño peppers for extra heat, pico de gallo for fresh veggies, or Fiesta Strips for some crunch. Just remember that adding too many ingredients can defeat the whole point of an inexpensive menu hack, and you may run out of room in the plastic takeout container it all has to fit into.
Speaking of money, there's no universal price for this order. Because most Taco Bell locations are franchises, they set different local prices for sides and additions. It's worth checking the total before ordering, especially if you're doubling the rice and cheese. At some point, you may discover you've life hacked yourself into a fairly expensive bowl of rice.
Taco Bell rice hack. Save money
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