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Easy Beef Taco Skillet Meal

Category: Quick Dishes For When You're Already Hungry

Savor bold taco flavors in this one-pan beef skillet. Start by browning ground beef with a touch of avocado oil, then toss in diced bell peppers for sweetness and color. Beans, corn, and a splash of taco sauce add heartiness, while scallions and shredded cheese infuse richness. Fold in corn tortillas for satisfying texture, finish with a cheesy blanket, and bake until bubbling and golden. Pile on fresh avocado, cilantro, and your favorite toppings for a complete, family-friendly main. Quick to prepare, this dish is ideal for busy nights and sure to become a dinnertime favorite.

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Clare Recipes
Created By Lily Chen
Updated on Mon, 28 Jul 2025 19:55:03 GMT
A skillet filled with beef tacos. Save
A skillet filled with beef tacos. | lilicooks.com

This beef taco skillet recipe delivers a flavorful family meal with minimal cleanup. With juicy ground beef or turkey, hearty beans, golden tortillas, and melty cheese, this dish becomes a favorite fast dinner you will crave all week. Top it off with creamy avocado and crunchy scallions for the finishing touch everyone loves.

My family loves this on busy school nights. We each add our own toppings so everyone ends up happy and full. There is never any left by the end of dinner which is my sign this one is a keeper.

Ingredients

  • Avocado oil: adds healthy richness and prevents sticking choose a high quality oil for sautéing
  • Ground beef or ground turkey: brings juicy flavor use the freshest meat you can for tender results
  • Red bell pepper and orange bell pepper: provide natural sweetness and color pick firm peppers with glossy skin
  • Taco seasoning: creates classic flavor look for gluten free or make your own for full control
  • Pinto beans or black beans: add fiber and heartiness go with a low sodium version for a healthier meal
  • Corn: sweetens and bulks up the dish frozen or fresh both work
  • Taco sauce or red enchilada sauce: adds tang and keeps the mixture juicy use your favorite jarred sauce
  • Scallions: bring freshness and crunch choose bright green scallions without wilted tops
  • Shredded Mexican cheese: creates that perfect melt buy cheese in a block and shred it yourself for the best melt
  • Salt and pepper: lets you season to your taste use sea salt or kosher salt for a clean flavor
  • Corn tortillas: become crispy gold in the oven try a local brand for authenticity
  • Taco toppings: liven up each serving sliced avocado cilantro sour cream lime and tomatoes are my family favorites

Step-by-Step Instructions

Sauté the Meat:
Heat your cast iron skillet over medium and add avocado oil. Once hot crumble in the ground beef or turkey and break apart as it cooks. Continue stirring until mostly cooked through so you get the perfect flavorful browning.
Cook the Veggies:
Add diced red and orange bell peppers to the pan. Sauté for two to three minutes until they just start to soften which helps build out the flavors and add color to your dish.
Spice and Simmer:
Mix in taco seasoning along with beans corn and taco sauce. Give everything a good stir to coat and cook for about two more minutes so the flavors can blend and the beans heat up.
Fold in Mix-Ins:
Take the skillet off the heat and stir in scallions and a quarter cup of the shredded cheese. Gently fold in the cut corn tortillas making sure some triangles poke up for extra crunch after baking.
Assemble and Top:
Sprinkle the rest of the cheese over the top so you get a bubbly golden topping after baking.
Bake to Finish:
Move the whole skillet to a preheated oven at 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake on the middle rack for about fifteen minutes until the cheese is melted and the tortillas turn crisp and golden at the edges.
Serve and Top:
Let the skillet cool for a few minutes before adding all your favorite toppings. Fresh avocado and a squeeze of lime really take this over the top.
A skillet filled with beef, cheese, and avocado. Save
A skillet filled with beef, cheese, and avocado. | lilicooks.com

My favorite part is the golden crispy tortillas on top. I remember my kids fighting over the cheesiest piece with the most crunchy edges so now I always tuck in a few extra tortilla chips for them.

Storage Tips

Let leftovers cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. This skillet meal keeps well in the fridge for three days. Reheat in the oven at 350 degrees for the best crispy texture or microwave for a quick lunch. If you want to freeze it make sure you use a freezer safe dish and wrap well. Defrost in the refrigerator before reheating.

Ingredient Substitutions

Switch ground turkey or even plant based crumbles for a lighter or vegetarian version. Black beans and pinto beans are both great or even try canned kidney beans for something different. Skip the cheese or use a dairy free cheese if you need it. Flour tortillas also work if you are not gluten free.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with a big salad of crisp lettuce and tomatoes on the side for a fresh counterpoint. A dollop of Greek yogurt can swap in for sour cream. Hot sauce fans can add a drizzle of their favorite. Sometimes we use leftovers as a taco filling or spoon it over rice for another meal.

A delicious beef taco skillet meal. Save
A delicious beef taco skillet meal. | lilicooks.com

Cultural Context

This skillet dish is a modern shortcut on classic Mexican American flavors. It takes inspiration from beef tacos and transforms them into a fuss free one pan family dinner. You will find similar dishes in many Southwestern home kitchens especially for weeknight meals.

Recipe FAQs

→ Can I substitute ground turkey for beef?

Yes, ground turkey makes a great substitute for beef and will deliver a lighter flavor with the same hearty texture.

→ What size skillet works best?

A 10-12 inch cast iron skillet is ideal, ensuring even cooking and a perfectly melty cheese layer.

→ Are there gluten-free options?

Absolutely. Use gluten-free taco seasoning and corn tortillas to enjoy a fully gluten-free meal.

→ What toppings go well on this skillet?

Fresh avocado slices, cilantro, sour cream, lime wedges, and tomatoes all pair wonderfully with the savory skillet.

→ Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes, prepare the filling ahead and add tortillas and cheese just before baking for best texture and taste.

Easy Beef Taco Skillet Meal

Ground beef, beans, and tortillas layered with cheese for an easy one-pan dinner packed with classic taco flavors.

Preparation Time
10 min
Cooking Time
15 min
Overall Time
25 min
Created By: Lily Chen

Category: 30-Minute Miracles

Skill Level: Beginner-Friendly

Cuisine Type: Mexican

Output: 6 Serves

Dietary Options: Gluten-Free

Ingredients

→ Main Ingredients

01 1 tablespoon avocado oil
02 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
03 1/2 red bell pepper, diced (1/3 cup)
04 1/2 orange bell pepper, diced (1/3 cup)
05 3 tablespoons taco seasoning
06 1 (15oz) can pinto beans or black beans, drained and rinsed
07 1/3 cup frozen or fresh corn
08 1/4 cup taco sauce or red enchilada sauce
09 1/3 cup chopped scallions
10 2/3 cup shredded Mexican cheese
11 Salt and pepper to taste
12 5–6 corn tortillas, cut into triangle shapes

→ Optional Toppings

13 Sliced avocado
14 Cilantro
15 Sour cream
16 Limes
17 Chopped tomatoes

Steps

Step 01

Preheat the oven to 425°F.

Step 02

Heat a medium-sized cast iron skillet to medium heat on the stovetop, and add the oil. Add the meat to the pan and break it up as it cooks using a wooden spoon or spatula. Once the meat is mostly cooked, add the diced peppers and toss and cook for 2-3 minutes.

Step 03

Stir in the taco seasoning, beans, corn, and taco sauce, and cook for 2 additional minutes.

Step 04

Remove the skillet from the heat, and stir in the scallions and 1/4 cup of the shredded cheese. Add the cut tortillas and fold them into the taco meat mixture, leaving some edges poking up for texture. Top with the remaining cheese.

Step 05

Place the skillet into the oven on the middle rack and bake until golden and melty, about 15 minutes. Remove, let cool for a few minutes, and top with your favorite taco toppings before serving.

Tips

  1. Ground turkey can be used as a substitute for ground beef.
  2. For the best results, a 10-12 inch cast iron skillet is recommended.
  3. Use gluten-free taco seasoning and tortillas for a fully gluten-free version.

Required Tools

  • Cast iron skillet (10-12 inch recommended)
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • Oven

Allergy Information

Always check each ingredient for allergens, and consult a medical professional if unsure.
  • Contains dairy from cheese.
  • May contain gluten unless gluten-free tortillas and taco seasoning are used.

Nutritional Information (per serving)

These details are shared for general guidance and don’t replace professional advice.
  • Calories: 360
  • Fats: 18 g
  • Carbohydrates: 22 g
  • Proteins: 25 g