Cheesy Taco Skillet Recipe

Introduction

Cheesy Taco Skillet is a comforting one-pan meal packed with flavorful spices, tender ground turkey, and melty cheese. It’s an easy recipe perfect for busy weeknights when you want a hearty, satisfying dinner without a lot of fuss.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 onion, finely diced
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1.5 pounds ground turkey (or beef, chicken, or pork)
• Salt, to taste (about 1/2 teaspoon)
• Pepper, to taste (about 1/4 teaspoon)
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 15-ounce jar salsa
• 1 4-ounce can diced green chiles, drained
• 1 15-ounce can black beans, drained
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 2 cups cooked rice
• 4 ounces Monterey Jack cheese (about 1 cup)
• 4 ounces cheddar cheese (about 1 cup)
• Fresh cilantro (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat.
2. Step 2: Once the oil is hot, add the diced onion and cook, stirring often, until softened and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
3. Step 3: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Step 4: Add the ground turkey, salt, pepper, chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika. Cook, breaking up the meat into smaller crumbles, until no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.
5. Step 5: Stir in the salsa, diced green chiles, black beans, and corn. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until heated through.
6. Step 6: Mix in the cooked rice until well combined.
7. Step 7: Sprinkle the Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses evenly over the top.
8. Step 8: Allow the cheese to melt on its own, or if using an oven-proof skillet, place it under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, watching closely, until the cheese is melted and slightly browned.
9. Step 9: Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro if desired, then serve warm.

Tips & Variations

• Use ground beef, chicken, or pork instead of turkey for different flavor profiles.
• For extra heat, add a diced jalapeño or a pinch of cayenne pepper along with the spices.
• Swap out black beans for pinto beans or kidney beans if preferred.
• Serve with a dollop of sour cream or avocado slices to add creaminess.
• To make it vegetarian, replace the meat with extra beans or sautéed mushrooms.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat or microwave until warmed through. For best texture, add a splash of water before reheating to keep it moist.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the skillet mixture up to the point before adding cheese and broiling. Store it in the fridge and add cheese and melt just before serving.

What can I serve with cheesy taco skillet?

This dish pairs well with a simple green salad, tortilla chips, or warm tortillas for a complete meal.

Cheesy Taco Skillet Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 74 reviews

A flavorful and hearty Cheesy Taco Skillet combining ground turkey with a blend of spices, salsa, black beans, corn, and rice, all topped with melted Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses. Perfect for a quick and satisfying weeknight dinner with a touch of Tex-Mex flair.

• Author: Tim
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Tex-Mex

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 onion (finely diced)
• 6 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1.5 pounds ground turkey (or beef, chicken, or pork)
• Salt (to taste, approx. 1/2 teaspoon)
• Pepper (to taste, approx. 1/4 teaspoon)
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 15-ounce jar salsa
• 1 4-ounce can diced green chiles (drained)
• 1 15-ounce can black beans (drained)
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 2 cups cooked rice
• 4 ounces Monterey Jack cheese (about 1 cup)
• 4 ounces cheddar cheese (about 1 cup)
• Fresh cilantro (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

1. Heat the oil: Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat until shimmering to prepare for sautéing the vegetables.
2. Cook the onion: Add the finely diced onion to the skillet and cook, stirring often, until softened and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
3. Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds to release its aroma.
4. Brown the turkey: Add the ground turkey along with salt, pepper, chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika. Cook, breaking up the meat into smaller crumbles, until it’s no longer pink, approximately 5-7 minutes.
5. Add veggies and beans: Stir in the salsa, drained diced green chiles, black beans, and frozen corn. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until everything is warmed through.
6. Mix in rice: Add the cooked rice and mix thoroughly to combine all the ingredients evenly.
7. Add cheese: Evenly top the mixture with Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses.
8. Melt the cheese: Allow the cheese to melt naturally on the stovetop, or if the skillet is oven-proof, place it under a broiler for 1-2 minutes, watching carefully, until the cheese melts and begins to brown.
9. Garnish and serve: Garnish with freshly minced cilantro if desired, then serve hot for a comforting meal.

Notes

• You can substitute ground turkey with ground beef, chicken, or pork as desired.
• If you don’t have cooked rice ready, plan extra time to cook 2 cups of rice beforehand.
• Using an oven-proof skillet allows for a nicely browned cheese topping under the broiler.
• Adjust the chili powder and spices to your preferred heat level.
• Fresh cilantro is optional but adds a bright fresh flavor to complement the dish.

Keywords: Cheesy taco skillet, ground turkey recipe, Tex-Mex skillet, one-pan dinner, easy taco skillet, skillet dinner, Mexican-inspired recipe