One Pan Taco Skillet combines taco seasoned beef with veggies and cheese in a flavorful skillet dish. Simple ingredients that you might typically use as taco toppings are cooked right in with the beef for a complete meal.
You will need to season the beef with taco seasoning for this taco skillet dinner. You can purchase ready made taco seasoning for a quick and easy way to season your one pan taco skillet or use my directions to make your own. If you have a fairly large spice collection, you possibly have all of the ingredients on hand to make it.
One Pan Taco Skillet is a fast weeknight meal. Topped with green onions and a bit of sour cream, it is delicious. You could also spoon it into a taco shell or tortilla. This easy taco skillet might become your new family favorite.
If you are a fan of taco flavored ground beef you should check out Loaded Beef Nachos and Taco Salad. They all start with the same seasoned beef base.
If you would like to try another taco seasoned, one skillet meal, check out, Salsa Chicken Rice Skillet which is an easy recipe that you can make with either white rice or brown rice, fresh veggies, savory black beans and cheese.
If you would like to try some other one pot dinners check out One Pot Tomato Basil Penne, One Pot Chicken Penne, One Pot Asparagus Gnocchi and Tomato Broccoli One Pot Pasta.
SOME THINGS TO KNOW:FAQ’S
INGREDIENT TIPS:
- Use grass-fed ground beef if available. It is richer in certain nutrients and often tastes better. Read The Seven Benefits of Grass Fed Beef. Choose a leaner ground beef h to reduce the amount of fat in your one pan taco skillet, making it a healthier option.
SPECIAL EQUIPMENT NEEDED:
- Large Skillet: A large 10-12″ skillet is needed to make this recipe. The size ensures there is enough room to cook all the ingredients comfortably. Pictured here is a 10″ cast iron skillet.A nonstick skillet would also be a good choice.
- Spatula or Wooden Spoon: You will need this for stirring and breaking up the ground beef as it cooks.
- Cutting Board and Sharp Knife: These are necessary for chopping the vegetables and green onions.
- Measuring Spoons and Cups: To accurately measure the oil, taco seasoning, and cheese.
- Can Opener: If you are using canned diced tomatoes, a can opener will be needed.
- Mixing Bowl: If you are making your own taco seasoning, you will need a small bowl to mix the spices together.
- Cheese Grater: If you prefer to shred your own cheese from a block for better melting and flavor for the one pan taco skillet, you will need a cheese grater.
SUBSTITUTIONS:
- The ground beef can be substituted with other ground meats like ground turkey or ground chicken.
- White or yellow onions can be used instead of red onion. For a milder onion flavor, you could use shallots or green onion.
- Fresh tomatoes diced can be used in place of canned diced tomatoes when in season for a fresher flavor, or canned crushed tomatoes for a saucier texture.
- If you do not have all the spices for homemade taco seasoning, use a pre-made store bought mix.
- Fresh corn kernels can be sliced off the cob during the summer for a sweeter taste, or canned corn can be used as an alternative to frozen corn.
- Any melting cheese works here. Try Monterey Jack, cheddar, or pepper jack cheese for a bit of spice in place of the Mexican cheese blend.
- Chopped chives or cilantro can offer a fresh, herby flavor if green onions are not available.
HOW TO STORE ONE PAN TACO SKILLET:
- You can store the One Pot Taco Skillet in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Allow the taco skillet to cool to room temperature before storing to prevent moisture from building up. Transfer the cooled taco skillet into an airtight container.
- The taco skillet can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Make sure the taco skillet is completely cooled before freezing to maintain the best quality and prevent ice crystals from forming. Place the cooled one pan taco skillet into freezer-safe bags or containers.
HOW TO REHEAT ONE PAN TACO SKILLET:
- Reheat in a skillet on the stovetop over medium heat. Add a splash of water or broth if the mixture seems dry. Stir frequently until heated through, about 5-7 minutes.
- To reheat the one pan taco skillet in the microwave, place a portion of the taco skillet onto a microwave-safe dish, cover with a microwave-safe lid or paper towel, and heat on high for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium low heat. Add the green bell pepper, red bell pepper, and red onions. Cook, stirring occasionally for 3 minutes, until the just begin to soften.
Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a fork and knife as it cooks to get it as smooth as you can. Brown the ground beef completely. This will take about 5 minutes.
Add the diced tomatoes and taco seasoning and stir to combine. Let the mixture simmer over medium low heat for 5 minutes.
Add the corn kernels and simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
Sprinkle the Mexican Cheese blend evenly over the top of the one pan taco skillet. Let it cook for a couple minutes until the cheese has melted.
One Pan Taco Skillet
Print This
Ingredients
- SKILLET:
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
- 1 medium red onion, diced
- 1 pound very lean ground beef
- 15 ounce can diced tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons,plus 1 teaspoon taco seasoning, packaged or follow recipe below
- 1 cup frozen corn kernels
- 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
- ¼ cup green onions
- TACO SEASONING:
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
TACO SEASONING:
If you are making the taco seasoning from scratch, simply stir all of the spices together in a small bowl.
ONE POT TACO SKILLET:
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium low heat. Add the green bell pepper, red bell pepper, and red onions.
Cook, stirring occasionally for 3 minutes, until theY just begin to soften.
Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a fork and knife as it cooks to get it as smooth as you can. Brown ground beef completely. This will take about 5 minutes.
If you see any fat in the mixture, blot it out using a paper towel. Just press the towel lightly into the grease and it will absorb it.
Add the diced tomatoes and taco seasoning and stir to combine. Let the mixture simmer over medium low heat for 5 minutes.
Add the corn kernels and simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
Sprinkle the Mexican Cheese blend evenly over the top of the beef mixture. Let it cook for a couple minutes until the cheese has melted.
Remove from the heat and sprinkle the green onions over the top of the one pan taco skillet.
Serve with sour cream, taco shells, corn tortillas or flour tortillas and some tortilla chips and additional favorite taco toppings. You could also serve the one pan taco skillet over a bed of lettuce topped with pico de gallo to create a taco salad.
