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One-Pan Taco Skillet

One-pan taco skillet loaded with seasoned ground beef, black beans, corn, and Rotel simmered into a thick, taco-spiced sauce. Melted Mexican cheese finishes the skillet, topped with fresh cilantro and lime for a quick weeknight taco skillet dinner.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Calories: 690
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Skillet
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 taco seasoning packet
  • 0.25 cup water
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • 1 can (10 oz) Rotel diced tomatoes
  • 0.5 cup beef broth
  • 1.5 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
Toppings
  • sour cream
  • guacamole
  • jalapeños
  • cilantro
  • lime wedges

Equipment

  • 1 cast iron skillet

Method
 

Cook the taco filling
  1. Brown the ground beef with the diced onion in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then drain excess fat.
  2. Add the taco seasoning and water, stir to coat, and simmer for 2 minutes, until the mixture looks evenly seasoned.
  3. Stir in the black beans, corn, Rotel diced tomatoes, and beef broth, then bring everything to a simmer.
  4. Cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the beef.
Melt the cheese and serve
  1. Top with the shredded Mexican cheese blend, cover the skillet, and heat for 2 minutes until the cheese is fully melted.
  2. Serve immediately with sour cream, guacamole, jalapeños, cilantro, and lime wedges for bright, fresh topping bursts.

Notes

For the best texture, keep the skillet at a steady simmer during the 5–7 minutes so the sauce reduces and clings to the meat. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of beef broth or water if needed. Freezing is not recommended because the toppings (especially sour cream and guacamole) can separate, but you can freeze the cooked filling for up to 2 months and thaw/reheat, then add fresh toppings. For a lighter option, use reduced-fat Mexican cheese blend and leaner ground beef (90% or higher).