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A close-up of cheesy ground beef skillet tacos topped with fresh cilantro and green onions in a cast iron pan.

Quick Taco Skillet Fiesta

Whip up a flavorful, satisfying weeknight meal in under 30 minutes with this vibrant one-pan skillet dinner featuring seasoned taco meat, black beans, corn, and rice. It's incredibly easy and packed with flavor!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Mexican
Calories: 550

Ingredients
  

For the Skillet
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb lean ground beef (90/10 or leaner)
  • 1/2 yellow onion chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning mix
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies undrained (like Rotel)
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans rinsed and drained
  • 1 can (15 oz) whole kernel corn drained
  • 2 cups cooked white or brown rice (can use instant or leftover)
  • 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
For Serving (Optional)
  • Sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • Diced avocado
  • Fresh cilantro chopped
  • Salsa
  • Tortilla chips crushed

Equipment

  • Large Skillet
  • Wooden Spoon

Method
 

Prepare the Base
  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and chopped onion. Cook, breaking up the beef with a spoon, until the beef is browned and the onion is softened, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
  2. Stir in the minced garlic and taco seasoning mix. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the water and bring to a simmer, cooking for about 2-3 minutes until the liquid has slightly reduced and thickened.
Assemble the Skillet
  1. Stir in the undrained diced tomatoes with green chilies, rinsed black beans, and drained corn. Cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until everything is heated through.
  2. Add the cooked rice to the skillet, stirring gently to combine all ingredients. Ensure the rice is fully incorporated and warmed through.
Finish and Serve
  1. Sprinkle the shredded Mexican cheese blend evenly over the top of the skillet mixture. Cover the skillet with a lid and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  2. Remove from heat and let stand for a minute. Serve hot directly from the skillet or spoon into individual bowls. Garnish with your favorite optional toppings such as sour cream, diced avocado, fresh cilantro, salsa, or crushed tortilla chips.

Notes

This skillet dinner is incredibly versatile! Feel free to add diced bell peppers or zucchini with the onion for extra veggies. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, making it great for meal prep lunches.