Taco Skillet

Did your afternoon meeting run late? Do you need to drop the kids off at three different after-school activities? This taco skillet recipe is here to save the day. Made with everyday ingredients and pantry staples you likely have in your cupboards, it’s the perfect quick and affordable recipe. Save this one for those nights when you need dinner, and you need dinner now.

As with many of our other favorite skillet recipes, this one begins with a pound of ground beef and a bit of chopped onion. Once the meat is browned, a generous pour of your favorite taco sauce, a can of corn and a layer of sliced corn tortillas are added to the pan. Creamy, melty cheddar cheese finishes off the dish. From there, cook everything until it is warm and bubbly, then serve the dish with additional cheese, hot sauce and your favorite taco toppings.

Our skillet tacos recipe is super adaptable, so feel free to freestyle. Add beans, change up the protein or toss in extra vegetables. We’ve listed some of our favorite variations below for inspiration. If you accidentally go a little crazy, just add some extra taco sauce to keep everything moist. The cheesy taco skillet recipe is pretty difficult to mess up, so it is perfect for beginners and kids who want to try cooking all by themselves.

Taco Skillet Ingredients

• Ground beef: Ground beef is one of our favorite protein sources for quick and easy skillet recipes like this taco skillet.
• Red onion: Red onion is a great choice for a sweeter, mild onion flavor in skillet tacos. If you want more onion flavor, swap in a different type of onion like yellow or white.
• Corn: A can of corn is an easy pantry staple that adds tons of flavor and color to this simple stovetop casserole recipe. If you have fresh corn on hand, you can use that instead, as well as thawed and drained frozen corn.
• Corn tortillas: If you don’t usually like corn tortillas, try them in a taco skillet. They lend a sweet corn taste in every bite and the taco sauce hydrates them, making them less dry. Use homemade corn tortillas if you have the time!
• Taco sauce: We like to keep taco sauce on hand for this cheesy taco skillet recipe and our other favorite taco recipes. It’s a quick and simple way to add flavor to a recipe and transform it into a Mexican-inspired feast.
• Cheddar cheese: For extra-cheesy flavor, we suggest opting for extra sharp cheddar cheese, although any cheddar will do.
• Hot sauce: If you want your skillet tacos to have an extra kick, grab a bottle of your favorite hot sauce. You could also make homemade hot sauce.
• Toppings: Serve this quick taco skillet recipe with any taco toppings you like! A little guacamole, sour cream, lettuce, tomatoes, cilantro and homemade salsa are all excellent options.

Directions

Step 1: Cook the beef and onions

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the beef and onions until the meat is no longer pink. Drain to remove excess fat and water.

Editor’s Tip: Believe it or not, there’s a wrong way to brown ground beef. Here’s how to cook and brown ground beef the right way.

Step 2: Combine all the ingredients and cook

To the beef mixture, add the corn, tortilla pieces, taco sauce and 1 cup cheese. Continue to cook until bubbly and heated through.

Step 3: Garnish and serve

To serve, sprinkle with the remaining cheese, a drizzle of hot sauce if desired, and any other toppings. Enjoy!

TASTE OF HOME

Taco Skillet Variations

• Switch the meat: You can skip the red meat and instead opt for ground turkey or ground chicken. Chorizo sausage would be an easy way to pack in extra heat and flavor too. Another option would be to shred a rotisserie chicken and add it to the skillet after cooking the onions.
• Add more veggies: If you have extra produce on hand, consider cooking the beef with some sliced bell peppers, poblano peppers, zucchini or yellow squash.
• Boost with beans: For additional fiber and protein, add a can of rinsed and drained black or pinto beans to this taco skillet recipe. Here are more ways to use canned beans.
• Change up the cheese: If you don’t have cheddar, you can swap in another good melting cheese from your refrigerator. Monterey Jack, pepper jack, Colby or brick would all work well. For authentic Mexican flavor, try Oaxaca or Chihuahua cheese.

How to Store a Taco Skillet

Leftovers of this cheesy taco skillet recipe should be kept refrigerated in an airtight food storage container.

How long does a taco skillet last?

This taco skillet will stay fresh for three to four days in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

How do you reheat a taco skillet?

Reheat leftover taco skillet on the stovetop over medium heat until heated through. Alternatively, you can warm it in the microwave on a microwave-safe plate until hot.

Taco Skillet Tips

TASTE OF HOME

Can you make a taco skillet with flour tortillas?

You can make skillet tacos with flour tortillas if you prefer them over corn tortillas. However, flour tortillas do absorb liquid differently than corn tortillas, so they will have a slightly soggier taste and texture. If you think this will bother you, stick with the corn tortillas, as they will maintain a firmer texture in the casserole.

Can I make my own sauce for this taco skillet?

Yes! While the beauty of the original recipe is that it takes advantage of pantry staples to make a low-fuss, semi-homemade dinner, you can swap in homemade taco sauce if you prefer. Try this easy taco sauce recipe.

What can you serve with a taco skillet?

While this taco skillet can totally serve as an all-in-one meal, you can add more to your fiesta-inspired spread with a platter of Mexican street corn, a bowl of homemade refried beans, a pot of fluffy Spanish rice or a basket of jalapeno corn muffins.