Easy Cheesy Taco Skillet Recipe – Perfect for Busy Weeknights!
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Looking for a quick and delicious meal? This Taco Skillet is the answer!
This cheesy taco skillet is packed with bold spices, hearty ground beef, and melty cheese. It comes together in 30 minutes.
Whether planning a fun family taco night or searching for a perfect appetizer for your next gathering, this dish checks all the boxes.
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Taco Skillet Recipe:
Number of Servings: 4-6
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
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Why You’ll Love This Taco Skillet
- Quick and Convenient: Ready in 30 minutes—ideal for busy weeknights!
- Flavor-Packed: A homemade taco seasoning blend of cumin, chili powder, and paprika ensures bold flavor in every bite.
- Customizable: Easily adjust ingredients like ground turkey or add black beans and bell peppers.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Great for family dinners or casual parties. Scroll past the recipe card to see our Dinner Party Menu suggestions!
Mexican and Tex-Mex Recipes
This versatile beef taco skillet can be enjoyed in multiple ways. For a satisfying main dish, pair it with shredded lettuce, salsa, chopped tomatoes, extra cheese, and warm corn taco shells or large lettuce leaves for wrapping.
Do you prefer a hearty appetizer? Serve it with tortilla chips and finish with diced tomatoes, sliced green onions, avocado (or guacamole), and an extra sprinkle of cheese just before serving.
We love Mexican and Tex-Mex on The Purple Pumpkin Blog! If you do too, these are some of our favorites for you to try next: Mexican Chicken Adobo, Sizzling Chicken Fajitas, Slow Cooker Charro Beans, and Authentic Mexican Rice.
Ingredients for Taco Skillet
The ingredients and tools for this recipe are conveniently linked to online retailers such as Amazon, Amazon Fresh, Instacart, and Walmart. The quantities are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Protein: Ground Beef
- Fresh Produce: White Onion, Garlic,
- Dairy & Chilled: Mexican Cheese Blend
- Pantry: Fine Sea Salt, Ground Black Pepper, Olive Oil
- Chili Powder—Use mild or hot powder depending on your tastes and spicy heat preference.
- Ground Cumin
- Ground Coriander
- Garlic Powder
- Smoked Paprika
- Ground White Pepper
- Cayenne Pepper
- Fire-Roasted Tomatoes with Green Chilis—Not a product available in UK supermarkets; however, you can find chopped tomatoes with chilies, which would be a suitable alternative to use.
- For Tacos: Taco Shells or Lettuce Wraps, Shredded Lettuce, Tomatoes, Salsa
- For Nachos: Tortilla Chips, Tomatoes, Green Onions (Scallions/Spring Onions), Avocado, Sour Cream
The complete list of ingredients with measurements is on the recipe card at the end of this post. The Purple Pumpkin Blog uses both cups and weighted measurements in its recipes, making American cups and kitchen food scales valuable tools for trying all the recipes. We provide US customary, imperial, and metric measurements. Still, it’s important to note that while you can combine cup measurements with weighted measures, never mix US customary/imperial (pounds, ounces, pints, etc.) with metric (kilograms, grams, liters, etc.).
Substitutions and Variations
- Ground Meat: Swap ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- Taco Seasoning: If you have a seasoning packet ready-to-go, substitute it for the homemade version.
- Budget Beans: To make the recipe go further, add some black beans. You can also add veggies like chopped bell peppers or corn kernels.
- Cheese: Use Monterey Jack or a sharp Cheddar cheese if you can’t find a Mexican blend.
- Spice Level: Adjust cayenne, chili powder, or green chiles based on your spice preference.
Storing Leftovers
With all leftovers, ensure the food looks and smells okay before consuming.
- Cool (within 1-2 hours), transfer to an airtight container, and store in the fridge for 3 days.
- Reheat in the microwave until hot throughout.
Freezing Instructions
It is best to freeze the taco meat only, as freezing the avocado and other toppings will change their texture. The beef is also great for meal prep.
- Cool completely. Freeze in portions in an airtight, freezer-safe container to help prevent freezer burn and eliminate unwanted freezer smells.
- To keep track of your food storage, label it with the dish name, freezing date, thawing instructions, and reheating instructions.
- Store in the freezer for up to 2 months.
- To defrost, unwrap it entirely and place it in the fridge to thaw overnight (or at least 12 hours).
- Reheat until piping hot throughout. Add a splash of beef broth to keep it moist.
- Toppings can then be added as in the recipe.
Food Safety
- Safe Minimum Internal Temperature Chart for Cooking
- For the most up-to-date advice on storing and freezing foods, consult the Food Standards Agency in your country: Food Standards Agency (UK) | Food Safety (USA) | Food Inspection Agency (Canada) | Food Standards (AU and NZ).
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Printable Taco Skillet Recipe Card
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Taco Skillet
Ingredients
For the Taco Seasoning
- 2 Tbsp chili powder
- 1 Tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1½ tsp fine sea salt
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- ½ tsp ground white pepper
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper*
For the Skillet
- 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- ½ medium white onion diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- Sea salt and black pepper to taste
- 1¼ lbs ground beef 80% lean
- 2 Tbsp taco seasoning
- 10 oz can fire-roasted tomatoes with green chilis drained
- 4 oz shredded Mexican-blend cheese + extra for serving or topping
To Serve as Tacos
- Taco shells or lettuce wraps
- Shredded lettuce
- Salsa
- Chopped tomatoes
To Serve as Nachos
- Tortilla Chips
- Diced tomatoes
- Sliced green onions (scallions/spring onions)
- Chopped avocado or guacamole
- Sour cream
SUGGESTED PRODUCTS
Instructions
- Prepare the taco seasoning by combining all ingredients in a bowl. Stir to combine and transfer to an airtight container. Set aside.
- Add olive oil to a large skillet set over medium heat. Add diced onion and garlic and season with salt and black pepper, to taste. Stir to combine and sauté for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens and develops some color.
- Add beef to skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned. Remove from heat and carefully drain excess fat from skillet.
- Add taco seasoning and canned fire-roasted tomatoes and green chilis to the pan and stir to combine. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until tomatoes are heated through and the beef mixture is thoroughly coated in the taco seasoning. Taste and add additional taco seasoning, if desired.
- Remove from heat and top with shredded cheese. Cover for 1-2 minutes or until cheese is completely melted. Serve immediately with desired accompaniments. Enjoy!
Notes
- *You can use more or less Cayenne pepper as desired, from a pinch (⅛ tsp) to half a teaspoon.
- Remaining taco seasoning can be stored in an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid for several months.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is always approximate and will depend on the quality of ingredients used and serving sizes. If you need exact calories and macros, please do your own calculations.
Dinner Menu Suggestions
You’ve made the main dish (or appetizer), but what about other courses? Here are additional recipes to create a menu for a dinner party or a special meal:
- Appetizer: Watermelon & Cantaloupe Melon Pico de Gallo
- Soup: Gazpacho
- Salad: Mexican Black Bean and Corn Salad
- Main Dish: Mexican-Style Tacos Al Pastor
- Side Dish: Pickled Jalapeño and Red Onions
- Beverage: Orange Cadillac Margarita
- Dessert: Fried Tequila Cake Bites with Fresh Lime Dipping Sauce