Quick Cheesy Beef Taco Skillet Dinner
A fast, comforting skillet meal combining seasoned ground beef and melted cheese with classic taco flavors, ready in about 20 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450g) ground beef (80/20 blend recommended)
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning (homemade or store-bought)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 can (14.5 oz / 411g) fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 1 1/2 cups (170g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup (56g) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional, for garnish)
- Jalapeño, finely chopped (optional, for heat)
- Cooked rice or tortilla chips (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 1 minute.
- Add diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until translucent and fragrant. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
- Add ground beef, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook for 5-6 minutes until no pink remains and beef starts to brown. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Sprinkle taco seasoning evenly over the beef and stir well to coat. Let spices toast for about 1 minute.
- Stir in tomato paste and fire-roasted diced tomatoes. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 5 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Spread beef mixture evenly in the skillet. Sprinkle shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese on top.
- Melt the cheese by placing the skillet under a preheated broiler for 2-3 minutes until bubbly and golden, watching closely to prevent burning. Alternatively, cover skillet and melt cheese on stovetop over low heat for about 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and garnish with chopped cilantro and diced jalapeños if desired. Serve hot over cooked rice or with tortilla chips.
Notes
Watch the broiler step carefully to avoid burning the cheese. If no oven-safe skillet is available, transfer beef mixture to a baking dish before adding cheese. For dairy-free, substitute cheeses with plant-based alternatives. Check taco seasoning for gluten content if needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/4 of the ski
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 25
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 30
Keywords: quick dinner, cheesy beef, taco skillet, easy meal, weeknight dinner, ground beef recipe, taco seasoning, melted cheese