Made in one pot in under 30 minutes, this Mexican skillet recipe is packed with ground beef, fresh veggies, and pantry staples, making it perfect for a quick and satisfying meal any night of the week!
I've really been leaning into last-minute dinner recipes lately. These types of recipes only call for a handful of ingredients, minimal chopping, and barely any hands-on cooking time.
This Mexican skillet and beef recipe is no exception! A packet of taco seasoning replaces a long list of spices, and canned corn and kidney beans keep it easy.
Plus, with plenty of protein and fiber-rich veggies, this Mexican beef skillet is a wholesome meal I feel great about serving my family!
(If you're looking for another simple, minimal-ingredient meal with similar flavors, try my Mexican taco meatloaf!)
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Fast Facts
- Skill level: Beyond easy! Everything cooks in a single skillet, and half of the ingredients are prepackaged.
- Cook time: Save this recipe for weeknights because it's done in less than 30 minutes, and it'll take you even less time to clean up.
- Ways to save time: Slice the peppers and onions up to 2 days in advance, and feel free to use store-bought shredded cheese.
- Make it your own: Serve the skillet as is with salsa and sour cream, spoon it over rice, or stuff it into taco shells. The choice is yours!
Ingredient Notes
- Ground beef - I like to stick with ground beef because it gives the taco skillet a more authentic beef taco flavor. But ground turkey is an option as well!
- Corn - I initially tested this recipe with thawed, microwaved frozen corn, but using canned corn simplifies things. Choose whichever you have on hand! (Make sure you check out this blackened corn recipe if you love this flavor combo!)
- Kidney beans - Make sure to drain and rinse your kidney beans before stirring them into the beef and veggie skillet.
- Taco seasoning - A single packet is all you need! I first tested this recipe using low-sodium taco seasoning but felt it didn't add enough flavor, so I opted for the regular variety.
- Cheese - I prefer shredded sharp cheddar, but taco blend or pepperjack cheese works great, too.
*See the recipe card below for a detailed list of ingredients and measurements.
Recipe Instructions with Photos
Quick Rundown
- Sauté the onions and peppers.
- Add the ground beef and cook through.
- Stir in the taco seasoning.
- Mix in the canned corn and kidney beans.
- Top with shredded cheese.
- Serve and enjoy!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Set your oven's broiler to high and let it preheat. Meanwhile, add the diced onions and bell peppers to a hot, oven-safe skillet and sauté for about 5 minutes, until soft and fragrant.
Step 2: Add the ground beef and cook until no pink remains.
Step 3: Stir one packet of taco seasoning into the onion, pepper, and beef mixture.
Step 4: Mix in the canned corn and kidney beans. Stir until the beef mixture is well combined.
Step 5: Top with a generous layer of shredded cheddar cheese.
Step 6: Place the Mexican skillet in the oven and broil until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Keep an eye on it because this will only take a couple of minutes!
Step 7: Remove the skillet from the oven and top it with chopped parsley, cilantro, or green onions; serve immediately, and enjoy!
Skillet tip!
To fit all the ingredients in one pan, you'll need an oven-safe, extra-large skillet or shallow casserole dish. I like to use this Lodge 3.6 Quart Enameled Cast Iron Oval Casserole Dish.
If you're looking for a skillet dinner that includes rice, try my stuffed pepper skillet with a crispy panko topping!
What to Sprinkle on Top
Toppings are the fun part! I garnish the finished dish with something different every time I make it.
In the past, I've added fresh parsley, cilantro, green onions, sour cream, salsa, and guacamole. When I'm in the mood for something crunchy, I'll either use tortilla chips to scoop up bites or I'll crumble them on top.
More Tips for Success
- Drain the fat after cooking the beef. If you're using lean ground beef, this might not be a necessary step. It's good to double-check, though, before moving on with the rest of the recipe.
- Use a good-quality taco seasoning. The seasoning makes the dish, so choose a brand you love! Of course, you can always make your own if you have the extra time.
- Feel free to adjust the seasonings to taste. Taste-test your dish before adding the cheese, and then add extra salt, pepper, garlic powder, chili powder, paprika, or cumin if desired.
Other Recipes to Consider
If you tried this Mexican Skillet Recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and tell me how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Mexican Skillet with Ground Beef (No Rice, 30-Minute Meal)
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 small white or yellow onion diced
- 2 large bell peppers diced
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 15 ounce can sweet corn drained
- 1 15 ounce can kidney beans drained, rinsed
- 1-2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Set your oven's broiler to high and let it preheat. Meanwhile, add the olive oil to a large, oven-safe skillet over medium heat.
- Add the diced onions and bell peppers to the skillet and sauté for about 5 minutes, until soft and fragrant.
- Add the ground beef and cook until no pink remains, about 10 minutes.
- Stir the taco seasoning into the onion, peppers, and ground beef mixture.
- Reduce the heat to low, and add the kidney beans and canned corn. Stir until well combined.
- Top the skillet with a generous layer of shredded cheddar cheese.
- Place the Mexican skillet in the oven and broil until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Keep an eye on it because this will only take a couple of minutes!
- Once the cheese is melted, remove it from the oven and add toppings such as green onions, fresh parsley and cilantro, sour cream, or guacamole. Serve immediately, and enjoy!
Nutrition
Notes
- To fit all the ingredients in one pan, you'll need an oven-safe, extra-large skillet or shallow casserole dish. I like to use this Lodge 3.6 Quart Enameled Cast Iron Oval Casserole Dish.
- Drain the fat after cooking the beef. If you're using lean ground beef, this might not be necessary. It's good to double-check, though, before proceeding with the rest of the recipe.
- The nutrition information is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice.
Kat says
This was supper yummy!
Will definitely make again.
Katie Youngs says
Awesome! I'm so happy you loved it! It's a staple dinner in our house.
Katie says
This comes together so quickly. Our family loves it!