One Pot Cheesy Taco Skillet- this easy, delicious, veggie packed beef taco skillet meal is quick and great for a budget- as well as a low carb diet!
Easy cheesy beef taco skillet dinner that is perfect for burrito bowls, salads, skillet tacos, and more with tons of hidden vegetables that kids will eat!
Nothing gets our family to gather around a table faster than two things- tacos and cheese.
Mention either one, and my family is ready for a feast!
For us, quick, hearty, and secretly-packed-with-veggies meals are our go to options- and this One Pot Cheesy Taco Skillet is one that doesn't disappoint!
This recipe is the perfect beef taco skillet dinner that is packed with vegetables, beef taco flavor, and tons of ooey, gooey melted cheese for a low carb taco skillet that is great for keto dieters and fans of low carb tacos.
We are often trying out low-carb diets, which can be a bit tricky to stay happy and satisfied on - but these cheesy taco skillets are packed with meaty, hearty flavor that work well to keep us motivated!
Table of contents
This large skillet dinner has ground beef, peppers, onions, green onions- and we're sneaking in some spinach for an extra nutritional hit!
And while we’re using beef here, you could use ground turkey or ground chicken as well for an even healthier option.
It's a sort of one pot taco burrito bowl that is low carb - for a low carb keto taco skillet that will work on a number of special diets!
This skillet is delicious topped with cheddar, monterey jack, a mexican cheese blend, sour cream - salsa, guacamole - anything you’d like to help take it over the top even more.
It is truly customizable.
And thanks to a heaping dose of cheese, it doesn't taste like diet food at all.
This One Pot Cheesy Taco Skillet recipe is incredibly low carb- but you can also reduce the calories by using ground chicken or turkey meat, and using a skim cheese like mozzarella (though I am a proponent of full fat, gooey cheese!).
Vegan Taco Skillet
I also have an incredibly hearty and delicious meaty version of this - that is COMPLETELY vegan!
I know that sounds hard, but it is so good - and deceptively simple!
Get my Meaty Vegan Taco Skillet Recipe here.
Taco Skillet Recipe Ideas
- -8 oz sliced or chopped cremini mushrooms help to boost the meaty skillet flavor and are a great low carb, low calorie option!
- -Fresh roasted green chiles make an exceptional addition for a spicy, smoky kick!
- -Canned ro-tel diced tomatoes with spices are a great extra flavorful addition instead of plain diced tomatoes. Alternatively, cherry tomatoes or fresh hothouse or roma tomatoes, diced, give a ton of fresh flavor.
- -Diced beet greens or arugula are lovely, slightly peppery substitutes to kale or spinach.
- -Fresh shredded carrots mixed with pickled jalapenos makes an awesome topper when the skillet is done - similar to fresh carrot and jalapeno salsa from a mexican restaurant.
- -Turnips, squash, sweet potatoes, and other root veggies, when shredded or diced into small bites, make an awesome addition if you're not watching starches or carbs!
- -Red pepper - I love red pepper strips in skillet tacos - the red pepper brings a delicious tangy and smoky-sweet flavor.
- -Mix in ground sausage to your beef mixture for a rich, hearty flavor everyone loves.
- -Stir in cauliflower rice and cook as a low carb one pot taco skillet!
- -Make this taco skillet low carb by using your own mixture of turmeric, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and cumin.
Tips to Make The Perfect Skillet Taco Burrito Bowls
I like to serve this meal over a bed of lettuce or greens- like a Chipotle Burrito Bowl- but you can also add it over rice or dump it in a taco or burrito, too!
-For this recipe, you want to cook as high enough as you can without burning anything.
Since there are so many variations to stovetops, pan choices, and how much moisture is in your veggies and meat, this will vary per person.
Keep the pan hot, without burning - on whatever setting that represents on your stove.
-Don't drain off excess liquid from the breakdown of the vegetables.
When you add the taco seasonings, this will help to create a deliciously rich and meaty sauce that packs a huge punch of flavor!
-Don't rush the cooktime on the vegetables.
Getting a nicely browned veggie is crucial for flavor development!
-If making in a slow cooker, pre-brown the meat, or check on it frequently while meat is browning - or you'll have a giant lump of meat not too unlike clumps of oddly shaped meatloaf, and less like tacos.
-Forget low carb - this taco bowl dinner also makes a mean pasta salad - simply dump over macaroni for a delicious cheesy macaroni taco skillet!
Other Easy One Pot Recipes You'll Love
If you love this easy cheesy skillet, be sure to check out some of my other favorite everyday extravagant recipes that are done in no time!
Cheesy Stuffed Chicken Parmesan
One Pot Broiled Ribeye Steak and Mushrooms
10 Minute Broiled Lobster Tails
One Pot Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs and Mushrooms
Easy Baked Ranch Pork Tenderloin and Gravy Recipe
And if you're looking for an even easier and healthier version, check out this Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Bowl recipe!
One Pot Cheesy Taco Skillet Recipe
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One Pot Cheesy Taco Skillet
One Pot Cheesy Taco Skillet– this easy, delicious, veggie packed beef taco skillet meal is quick and great for a budget- as well as a low carb diet! Easy cheesy beef taco skillet dinner that is perfect for burrito bowls, salads, skillet tacos, and more with tons of hidden vegetables that kids will eat!
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 2 bell peppers, diced
- 1 can diced tomatoes with green chilis
- 1 large zucchini, shredded
- taco seasoning
- 3 cups baby kale/spinach mixture (this sounds like a lot- it cooks down to a small amount)
- 1 ½ cup shredded cheddar and jack cheese
- green onions, to garnish
Instructions
- In a large pan, lightly brown ground beef and crumble well.
- Drain excess fat.
- Add onions and peppers, and cook until browned.
- Add canned tomatoes, taco seasoning, and any water needed for taco seasoning to evenly coat mixture (up to 1 tbsp- the liquid from the tomatoes will help)
- Add greens and let fully wilt.
- Mix well.
- Cover with shredded cheese and let cheese melt.
- When cheese is melted, serve over a bed of lettuce, rice, or in a taco or burrito!
Nutrition Information
Yield
6Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 341Total Fat 20gSaturated Fat 10gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 8gCholesterol 100mgSodium 626mgCarbohydrates 9gFiber 1gSugar 3gProtein 30g
Nutrition is automatically calculated by Nutritionix - please verify all nutrition information independently and consult with a doctor or nutritionist for any and all medical and diet advice.
Baker
Have you used frozen kale& spinach?
Courtney ODell
Yes - they taste great, but do give off a lot of water. Defrost before adding if you can and squeeze them over a colander to prevent a ton of water in the pan if possible!
Robin
I made this after seeing the recipe. It was very easy to make, and delicious! I felt really good about all the veggies in it - my non-vegetable loving husband liked it, as well as my 2 y.o. granddaughter! I will make it again, for sure. One problem I had with it (the only problem) was that at the end, it was watery on the bottom. I'm wondering if it is because of the zucchini? I loved being able to hide that it in there, but am considering leaving it out next time. Great recipe, thanks!!
Lacey
Yes it’s watery because of the zucchini. I have never added it, usually because I have all the ingredients except that, and it comes out perfect. I wasn’t sure how much taco seasoning to use, it doesn’t really say so I just pour in the whole packet.
Sean Coutorie
Put the recipe first so we don't have to scroll through your life story
Courtney ODell
Please click the "skip to recipe" button directly at the top to not be inconvenienced with cooking tips.
lisa
TY! I will try this recipe it looks yummy!
PS- I do not think you were being rude at all
Lacey
Maybe learn how that “skip to recipe” button works and you won’t have to be so rude. Wow.
JoAnne
Thank you for the help I am going to try this recipe out
Bre
Or, open your eyes and click the skip to recipe button at the very top. So rude for no reason?
lisa
It does not say that at all. Personally I think she said it in a nice way
Ivory
WOW! this looks amazing. I gotta make this dish, maybe Saturday. Thank you for sharing. I can hardly wait to give it a try.
Martha
I am fairly new the world of diabetes and I am now ALWAYS on the look out for quick and easy and delicious low carb recipes! I work full time and have a part time job so work a second job some evenings and weekends. This really fits the bill for all of that! AND - it's easy enough to take to work and warm up the next day! FABULOUS! Thank you! Keep more like this one coming!
Nell
It’s a keeper, fam loved it!
Tammy
This is so good. We just got finished eating it. ?
Jennifer Farris
SO good - my whole family of 5 loved it (and some of them are quite picky!) Thank you for sharing!
Diana Raymond
Loved this recipe. Easy, quick, healthy, and so very yummy.