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Best Easy Beef Taco Skillet Meal

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This easy beef taco skillet meal has tasty browned ground beef and beans simmered in a delicious taco sauce topped with an amazing cheesy layer. Finish it off with your favorite taco toppings for a one-pan, family-friendly main dish perfect for busy weeknights!

White cast iron pan filled with beef taco skillet mixture with melty cheese on top with sliced avocado, lime wedges and a drizzle of sour cream with more toppings around it.

We love taco night in our house so I created this irresistible Beef Taco Skillet recipe with everything we love in a taco but in a one-pan taco meal. It has a perfectly cooked taco seasoned beef and bean filling topped with tortillas and cheese and baked until golden and melty. 

Add all of your favorite taco toppings and you’ll have one taco skillet recipe that everyone will love!

We also love this quick turkey sweet potato skillet as a go-to easy meal during the week!

This easy taco skillet meal tastes just like the most delicious soft tacos ever! The edges of the tortillas get nice and crispy, mixed with the taco-seasoned beef filling, and topped with the best cheesy layer that brings it to a whole new level! It’s just like tacos but made all in one pan with no messy cleanup! Perfect for an easy main dish!

It’s great for TACO TUESDAY or any busy weeknight since it is so quick and simple to whip up!

You may also like these taco-stuffed peppers or taco zucchini boats for lower-carb versions of this recipe!

Side shot of cast iron pan with taco mixture in it topped with taco toppings.

Why you’ll love this taco skillet recipe

  • Quick and easy – made in one pan in about 30 minutes. 
  • Customizable and versatile – make it vegetarian, dairy-free, or gluten-free!
  • Healthy – this taco skillet recipe is loaded with protein and fiber for a satisfying family dinner everyone will love!
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Ingredients and Substitutions

Ingredients for beef taco skillet with labels over each ingredient.
  • Ground beef – I used lean ground beef but I have also tested this recipe using ground turkey and it turned out just as good. 
  • Pinto beans – canned pinto beans add a nice boost of protein and flavor. You could also use canned black beans.
  • Bell peppers + scallions – fresh peppers and scallions add color and flavor to this taco skillet that is so good!
  • Taco seasoning + taco sauce – the combination of the taco seasoning and taco sauce brings this intense Mexican flavor that makes this taco skillet recipe 10/10! Make a homemade taco seasoning or buy store-bought. Use red enchilada sauce or salsa in place of the taco sauce.
  • Avocado oil – you can also use extra virgin olive oil. 
  • Corn tortillas – I used gluten-free yellow corn tortillas but white corn or flour tortillas will also work. 
  • Mexican cheese – shredded Mexican cheese is added for that cheesy topping that is incredible!

Recipe Variations

  • Vegetarian – swap the beef with 1 can of black beans. 
  • Gluten-free– use gluten-free taco seasoning and gluten-free corn tortillas. 
  • Dairy-free – use dairy-free shredded cheese or skip the cheese, it will still be delicious!
  • Cutting board + knife
  • Cast iron skillet
  • Wooden spoon

How to make a taco skillet meal

Here is a summary with step-by-step photos of how to make this amazing taco skillet recipe. Get the complete list of recipe ingredients, instructions, and nutrition in the recipe card located at the bottom of this post. 

Beef and bean taco filling in a white cast iron skillet.

Step 1: Heat a cast iron skillet to medium heat, add the oil, beef, and peppers, and toss and cook until the meat is no longer pink. Add the rest of the filling ingredients ( taco seasoning, taco sauce, beans, corn, and scallions) and toss everything together. Simmer on low heat for a few minutes. 

Pan with cooked beef and beans with a pile of Mexican cheese and chopped cilantro on top of it.

Step 2: remove the skillet from the heat and fold in some of the cheese and scallions. 

White cast iron pan filled with cooked taco mixture topped wit cut tortillas and cheese before being baked.

Step 3: then fold in the cut tortillas, and top with the remaining cheese. 

Cooked taco filling with sliced tortillas in a pan, covered with a melty cheesy topping with slices of avocado on it.

Step 4: Bake in the oven at 425°F until the cheese is melted and the edges of the tortillas are golden. About 15 minutes.

Top with your favorite taco toppings and enjoy!

Taco topping ideas

  • Sliced avocado
  • Chopped tomatoes
  • Salsa
  • Cilantro
  • Limes
  • Sour cream

Expert tips for the best results

  • Use a 10-inch skillet so it is large enough to hold all of the filling. 
  • Cut the tortillas into triangle shapes so it is easier to fold them into the beef taco mixture. I cut 8 triangles from each 6-inch corn tortilla. 
  • Easily use ground turkey in place of the ground beef. 
  • Bake the taco skillet until the cheese is melted and the edges are crispy, about 15 minutes on the middle rack of the oven. It may take a little longer since ovens vary.
  • Serve immediately with all the taco toppings!

Recipe Variations

Here are some recipe variations to try!

  • Spicy – add a splash of hot sauce or a tablespoon of chili powder to the filling and top with sliced jalapenos to add some heat.
  • Turkey taco skillet – swap the ground beef with ground turkey.
  • Kid-friendly – leave out the beans for a more kid-friendly version. Other than this this taco skillet recipe is pretty kid-friendly.

Ways to serve this beef taco skillet

This one pan taco skillet meal is a meal all on its own. As mentioned, top it with your favorite taco toppings. It would also be great topped with some cilantro lime sauce and served with some chips and salsa on the side for a full Mexican feast. 

Storing and reheating 

Storing: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. 

Reheating: Reheat portions in the microwave until heated through. Heat the entire taco skillet in the oven in the pan at 375°F until the cheese is melted and the taco filling is heated through. 

FAQs

What is the best type of skillet to use?

I found that a 10-12 inch cast iron skillet was the best type to use since it holds the heat well for the beef taco filling. A larger, heavy-bottomed skillet would also work great! Make sure the skillet you are using is oven-safe!

Is this taco skillet recipe gluten-free?

Yes, this recipe is gluten-free if you use gluten-free taco seasoning and gluten-free corn tortillas.

Spoon lifting taco casserole out of a skillet with sliced avocado on it.

More Mexican-Inspired Recipes To Try

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

Did you try this taco skillet recipe? If you did, then please leave a rating and comment below. I would love to hear how yours turned out!

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Easy Beef Taco Skillet Meal

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  • Author: Amy Estes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free
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Description

This easy beef taco skillet meal has tasty browned ground beef and beans simmered in a delicious taco sauce topped with an amazing cheesy layer. Finish it off with your favorite taco toppings for a one-pan, family-friendly main dish perfect for busy weeknights!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil
  • 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
  • ½ red bell pepper (⅓ cup)  – diced
  • ½ orange bell pepper (⅓ cup) – diced 
  • 3 tablespoons taco seasoning
  • 1 (15oz) can pinto beans or black beans
  • ⅓ cup frozen or fresh corn
  • ¼ cup taco sauce or red enchilada sauce
  • ⅓ cup chopped scallions
  • ⅔  cup shredded Mexican cheese
  • Salt and pepper – to taste
  • 5–6 corn tortillas – cut into triangle shapes
  • Toppings – sliced avocado, cilantro, sour cream, limes, chopped tomatoes

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 425°F. 
  2. 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 peppers and toss and cook for 2-3 minutes. Then stir in the taco seasoning, beans, corn, and taco sauce and cook for 2 minutes. 
  3. Remove the pan from the heat, and stir in the scallions and ¼ cup of the cheese. Then add the cut tortillas and fold them into the taco meat mixture. I like to leave some poking up so the edges become nice and golden. Finally, top with the remaining cheese. 
  4. Place the skillet into the oven on the middle rack and bake until golden and melty, about 15 minutes. 
  5. Remove, let cool for a few minutes then top with all of your favorite taco toppings. 

Notes

  • You can use ground turkey in place of ground beef. 
  • I recommend using a 10-12 inch cast iron skillet for the best results. 
  • Use gluten-free taco seasoning and gluten-free tortillas for a fully gluten-free version of this recipe. 
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: main dishes
  • Method: oven
  • Cuisine: Mexican
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