One Pot Cheesy Taco Skillet

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This One Pot Cheesy Taco Skillet has the best flavors from the ground beef, the taco seasoning, and the delicious gooey cheese. It’s the perfect easy weeknight dinner the whole family will love!

One Pot Cheesy Taco Skillet with sour cream, tomatoes, avocado and cilantro on top.

WHY YOU WILL WANT TO MAKE CHEESY TACO SKILLET FOR DINNER TONIGHT

It’s an easy recipe created with simple, easy-to-find ingredients from the grocery store.
You’ll love the spin this recipe puts on Taco Tuesday.
It’s a one pot dinner making cleanup super easy! Are you looking for more one-pot dinners? Try my Traditional Goulash, BBQ Baked Beans, and this delicious chili recipe.
This cheesy taco skillet is perfect for busy weeknights, and the leftovers warm up great the next day.

SIMPLE INGREDIENTS AND SUBSTITUTIONS

Check out the recipe card for a complete list of the ingredients for this easy recipe!

Red Bell Pepper – Bring some sweetness and crunch to this taco skillet with diced red bell peppers.
Chopped Onion – White or yellow onion is an excellent option for this recipe.
Ground Beef – Lean ground beef is perfect, or feel free to use ground turkey.
Taco Seasoning – Try this homemade taco seasoning made with chili powder, cumin, onion powder, and more.
Tomato Paste
Rotel – This blend of diced tomatoes and green chiles gives the skillet a punch of flavor I love! If you prefer less spice, substitute a can of diced tomatoes.
Black Beans – Be sure to rinse them. These are optional if you have picky eaters.
Corn – Since this easy recipe only calls for one cup, frozen corn works best.
Beef Broth or Water
Rice – Cauliflower rice can be substituted by adding 12 oz of cauliflower rice in place of the rice and reducing the beef broth to ⅔ cup.
Monterey Jack Cheese – Don’t skimp on the cheese! Lots of cheese finishes this skillet meal perfectly.
Optional: Our favorite taco toppings are cilantro, fresh diced tomatoes, sour cream, black olives, green onions, and avocado. A dash of hot sauce is also a great idea, and I always serve this dish with tortilla chips.

STEP-BY-STEP DIRECTIONS FOR MAKING CHEESY TACO PASTA SKILLET

Step 1: Over medium heat, saute the onion and red bell pepper in a large skillet until they often (about 3-4 minutes). Add the ground beef, crumble the hamburger with a wooden spoon, and cook until the meat is no longer pink.

Skillet with onions and peppers before adding in ground beef and taco seasoning.

Cooked ground beef, onions and red bell pepper in a skillet.

STEP 2: Add the taco seasoning and cook for 1 minute to let the spices bloom

Next, add the tomato paste, corn, Rotel, beef broth, and rice. Give the mixture a good stir to combine. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer, and cover. Cook for 20 minutes, stirring halfway.

Cooked ground beef with taco seasoning added to the meat.

Beef broth being added to a skillet with corn, rice, and tomatoes.

STEP 3: Top with shredded Monterey Jack cheese once the rice is cooked. Cover and cook on low for 3 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Top with your favorite taco toppings and serve immediately.

Taco Skillet with one portion removed and a serving spoon in the skillet.

Can I substitute pasta for rice?

To substitute pasta for the rice, omit 1 ½ cups of beef broth and serve directly over pasta.

Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?

You can use ground turkey instead of ground beef in this recipe. Substitute 1 lb of ground turkey in place of the ground beef.

Can I make this recipe with less heat?

Yes, you can make this recipe less spicy. Substitute 1 can of petite diced tomatoes for the can of Rotel.

WANT TO STORE FOR LATER? HERE’S HOW:

Fridge: Transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 4 days. Be sure the taco skillet has cooled completely before storing.

Freezer: Store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Reheat: Be sure to thaw completely before reheating in the microwave in increments of 30 seconds until heated through.