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Easy 15-Minute Ground Beef Taco Skillet: Best One-Pan Dinner

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A quick and flavorful one-pan taco skillet made with ground beef, pantry spices, and melty cheese. Ready in just 15 minutes, it’s the perfect weeknight dinner that delivers all the taco flavor without the fuss.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) ground beef (85/15 recommended)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 can (10 ounces or 283g) diced tomatoes with green chiles (e.g., Rotel)
  • ½ cup (120ml) low-sodium beef broth
  • 1 cup (about 100g) shredded cheddar cheese
  • Optional toppings: fresh cilantro, diced avocado, sour cream, sliced jalapeños, hot sauce, crushed tortilla chips

Instructions

  1. Heat a large 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add about 1 tablespoon of olive or avocado oil and let it shimmer.
  2. Add the ground beef and diced onion. Break up the beef with a wooden spoon and let it brown without stirring too much for the first 2-3 minutes. Cook for 5-6 minutes until the beef is no longer pink and the onion is softened.
  3. Drain excess fat if needed, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan.
  4. Add the minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir constantly for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juices and the beef broth. Stir, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  6. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it bubble gently for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  8. Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top. Cover the skillet with a lid or foil and let it sit off the heat for 1-2 minutes until the cheese is melted.
  9. Remove the lid and serve immediately with desired toppings.

Notes

For best flavor, let the spices bloom in the hot fat for 30 seconds. Use freshly shredded cheese for optimal melting. The skillet tastes even better the next day.

Nutrition

Keywords: taco skillet, ground beef, one-pan dinner, quick dinner, weeknight meal, easy recipe, 15-minute meal

Find it online: https://emmastirs.com/easy-15-minute-ground-beef-taco-skillet-best-one-pan-dinner/