Go Back

Beef Taco Skillet

This Beef Taco Skillet combines all the best elements of taco night into a one-pan meal, featuring seasoned beef, black beans, and melted cheese, perfect for sharing any night of the week.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 pound lean ground beef Opt for grass-fed for a rich flavor.
  • 1/2 medium onion, chopped Fresh onions add a sweet edge to balance the spices.
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder A dash of garlic makes everything better!
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder Enhances the oniony goodness without extra chopping.
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika Adds a nice depth of flavor — don’t skip this!
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin Brings a little earthiness to the party.
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder For that warm kick that makes you smile.
  • 1 can (14 fl oz) black beans, drained and rinsed Packed with protein and fiber, these are a must!
  • 1 jar (14.5 fl oz) salsa Choose your favorite brand for the best flavor.
  • 4 medium flour tortillas, cut into quarters Tortillas add a wonderful texture, soaking up all the flavors.
  • 1 cup Tex-Mex cheese blend, shredded Melted cheese is the crowning glory.
Toppings
  • sour cream Optional, serve to taste.
  • chopped scallions Optional, serve to taste.
  • cilantro Optional, serve to taste.
  • avocado Optional, serve to taste.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Begin by heating a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and chopped onions.
  2. As the meat starts to break apart, sprinkle in the garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cumin, and chili powder.
  3. Cook for about 8-10 minutes, until the beef is nicely browned and the kitchen smells heavenly. If there’s too much fat, drain a bit.
Cooking
  1. While the beef is cooking, preheat the oven broiler on high. Adjust the rack to the top third of the oven.
  2. Once the meat is cooked, reduce the heat to medium. Stir in the black beans, salsa, and tortilla quarters, gently combining everything.
  3. Let that heat through for a few minutes, allowing the tortillas to soak up all those delightful flavors.
  4. Sprinkle a generous layer of Tex-Mex cheese on top. Carefully transfer the skillet to your preheated oven.
  5. In just a few minutes, the cheese will be bubbling and turning golden brown.
Serving
  1. Serve hot, piled high with sour cream, chopped scallions, cilantro, and perhaps some creamy avocado.

Notes

Time-saving trick: If you want to speed things up, use pre-cooked beef or leftover taco meat. Common mistake fix: If your Beef Taco Skillet seems too dry, add a splash of water or extra salsa to keep things moist. Flavor twist: Try adding corn or spinach for a pop of color and nutrition.