This Mexican Ground Beef Skillet is a one-pan marvel that brings the bold, comforting flavors of your favorite taco night straight to your dinner table. Packed with sautéed veggies, tender beef, zesty taco seasoning, and melty cheese, it’s the kind of dish that checks every box quick, hearty, and full of flavor.
Best of all, it’s endlessly versatile: serve it nacho-style, tuck it into burritos, or load it up in bowls with your favorite toppings like avocado and cilantro. It’s a weeknight lifesaver and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. You’ll love how easy cleanup is and how often your family asks for seconds.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
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1 tablespoon olive oil
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1 tablespoon minced garlic
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½ medium yellow onion, minced
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2 large bell peppers, diced
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1 lb. 85% ground beef
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3 tablespoons taco seasoning (homemade or store-bought)
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½ cup tomato sauce
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2 tablespoons green chiles
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1 can (15 oz.) black beans, drained and rinsed
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1 cup quick-cooking brown or white rice
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1½ cups beef broth
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½ cup shredded Mexican cheddar cheese
Directions:
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Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic, onion, and bell pepper. Sauté for 3–5 minutes until veggies are slightly tender.
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Push veggies to the side of the skillet and add the ground beef. Cook for 7–9 minutes until browned. Mix beef and veggies together.
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Stir in taco seasoning, tomato sauce, green chiles, and black beans. Cook for 2–3 minutes.
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Add in rice and beef broth. Bring mixture to a boil.
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Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15–20 minutes, or until rice is cooked and most liquid is absorbed.
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Sprinkle shredded cheese on top and let melt naturally or place under broiler for 2–3 minutes for a bubbly finish.
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Serve hot with chips, tortillas, or in bowls with your favorite toppings.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes
Kcal: 379 kcal | Servings: 6 servings
The Ultimate One-Pan Wonder: Mexican Ground Beef Skillet
In a world where weeknights often feel too short and schedules too full, easy and satisfying meals are more than a luxury they’re a necessity. That’s where the Mexican Ground Beef Skillet comes into play. This one pan dish has become a staple not only in the kitchens of time-crunched families but also among foodies who crave bold flavors without complicated preparation. It brings together the best of comfort food and culinary flair, offering a fusion of textures, spices, and vibrant ingredients that truly celebrate the heart of Mexican-inspired cooking.
What makes this skillet recipe stand out is its balance between convenience and authenticity. It pays homage to traditional Mexican flavors through the use of seasoned ground beef, aromatic vegetables, spicy chiles, and tender rice, all rounded off with melted cheese. The result? A deeply satisfying dish that doesn’t require a mountain of pots and pans or hours in the kitchen.
The Beauty of One-Pan Meals
The appeal of a one-skillet meal like this one is not only in its flavor but also in its simplicity. There’s something incredibly comforting about tossing ingredients into a pan, layering flavors as you go, and watching them transform into a cohesive, mouthwatering meal. The Mexican Ground Beef Skillet is a perfect embodiment of that ease.
This meal minimizes cleanup and maximizes flavor. Since the dish is cooked in stages all in the same pan it allows the flavors to build and develop. The beef soaks up the savory notes from the sautéed garlic, onion, and peppers. The rice cooks in a flavorful broth infused with spices, beans, and tomato, absorbing all the essence of the seasoned mixture. Finally, the dish is finished with a generous sprinkle of cheese, which melts into every crevice, tying everything together into a cheesy, savory medley.
Family-Friendly and Customizable
What makes the Mexican Ground Beef Skillet a hit across households is its adaptability. It’s one of those dishes that can please picky eaters, satisfy hearty appetites, and accommodate dietary preferences all in one go.
Don’t like black beans? Swap them for pinto beans or omit them entirely. Want to sneak in more vegetables? Corn, zucchini, or even spinach can easily be stirred in. Prefer turkey over beef? Ground turkey or even plant-based crumbles can replace the traditional ground beef without sacrificing the dish’s flavor profile.
Cheese can be used in abundance or omitted entirely for a dairy-free option, and the spice level can be adjusted with different types of chiles or hot sauces. These customization options make it an excellent choice for meal planning, especially in households with diverse tastes and dietary needs.
Nutritional Highlights
This skillet meal doesn’t just taste good it also packs a nutritional punch. With approximately 27 grams of protein per serving, it’s a great option for anyone looking to increase their protein intake without relying on processed foods or complicated meal plans.
The inclusion of black beans adds fiber and complex carbohydrates, helping you feel fuller for longer. Bell peppers bring in vitamin C, antioxidants, and a satisfying crunch, while the quick-cooking rice provides energy to fuel your day. When topped with fresh avocado, cilantro, or a squeeze of lime, it’s both nourishing and refreshing.
It’s also gluten-free by nature, making it accessible to individuals with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease, provided the ingredients (like broth or seasoning) are checked for hidden gluten-containing additives.
Versatile Serving Options
One of the standout features of the Mexican Ground Beef Skillet is how versatile it is when it comes to serving. You’re not locked into one presentation style. Here are some of the most popular ways people enjoy it:
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Burrito Bowl: Scoop the beef and rice mixture into a bowl and top with guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo, shredded lettuce, and a drizzle of hot sauce. A fork-and-knife kind of burrito experience without the wrap.
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Tacos: Spoon the skillet mixture into soft or hard taco shells and top with cheese, lettuce, and salsa for a quick and easy taco night.
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Nachos: Spread tortilla chips on a baking sheet, top with the skillet mixture, and bake until crispy. Finish with jalapeños, avocado, and more cheese.
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Lettuce Wraps: For a lighter option, wrap the mixture in butter lettuce leaves. Great for low-carb eaters.
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Stuffed Bell Peppers: Use the skillet mixture as a filling for halved bell peppers, top with cheese, and bake until golden.
This versatility means that leftovers never feel boring. They can be reimagined into a different dish the next day, making this a recipe that works overtime for your weekly meal planning.
Freezer-Friendly for Batch Cooking
In addition to being quick and easy to prepare, the Mexican Ground Beef Skillet freezes beautifully. It’s the kind of recipe that works well for batch cooking you can double the ingredients and freeze half for later use.
To freeze, simply let the dish cool completely, skip the cheese topping, and store it in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready to enjoy it, thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat in a skillet or microwave, then finish with shredded cheese for that fresh-made feel.
This makes it a fantastic choice for busy families, new parents, or anyone who wants to reduce their reliance on takeout without sacrificing quality or flavor.
Crowd-Pleaser for Every Occasion
From casual weeknights to game day gatherings, this skillet adapts to the mood and the moment. Its colorful presentation, bold flavors, and hearty ingredients make it a dish you’ll be proud to serve to guests. Pair it with margaritas and a fresh salsa bar, and you’ve got a party-worthy spread. Or serve it up with a simple salad and some iced tea for an easy family dinner.
Because it’s budget-friendly and built from pantry staples like canned beans, tomato sauce, rice, and spices, it’s easy to whip up even when your fridge is running low. It’s a go-to that never fails to deliver.
A Note on Seasoning
The use of taco seasoning is where much of the dish’s magic lies. While store-bought blends work fine in a pinch, making your own taco seasoning allows you to control the salt, spice, and quality of ingredients. A homemade blend might include chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Freshly mixed spices enhance the aroma and add depth to every bite.
If you want to elevate the recipe even more, consider adding a dash of smoked paprika or chipotle powder for extra smokiness.
Why You’ll Keep Coming Back to This Recipe
At its core, the Mexican Ground Beef Skillet is a celebration of flavor, ease, and versatility. It’s the kind of dish that earns a spot in your regular rotation not just because it’s quick to make but because it satisfies on every level taste, texture, and nutrition. Whether you’re cooking for a family, prepping lunches for the week, or whipping up something last-minute, this recipe delivers every time.
Conclusion:
The Mexican Ground Beef Skillet is much more than just another weeknight dinner it’s a kitchen lifesaver, a crowd-pleaser, and a template for culinary creativity. With its bold, satisfying flavors and easy one-pan preparation, it brings warmth and convenience to your table with minimal fuss. Whether you’re serving it up nacho-style, stuffed into a burrito, or dished out in a rice bowl, it’s a hearty, wholesome meal that everyone at the table will love.
Once you try it, don’t be surprised if it becomes a staple in your home because a dish this delicious, flexible, and simple deserves a permanent place in your recipe box.