It’s Friday afternoon in Cologne, and you can feel the energy of the weekend starting to build! Friday night dinners, in my opinion, should be three things: incredibly delicious, super easy, and most of all, fun. And nothing says “fun” quite like taco night. But what if we could take all the amazing flavors of tacos and pack them into one sizzling, cheesy, easy-to-clean skillet? Welcome, my friends, to this amazing Spicy Taco Skillet with Ground Beef.
This is the ultimate one-pan fiesta. We’re talking about all the best parts of a taco—perfectly seasoned and spicy ground beef, fluffy rice, hearty black beans, and sweet corn—all simmered together in a rich and savory tomato-chili sauce. And to make it truly irresistible, the entire skillet is topped with a thick, glorious blanket of gooey, melted cheese.
Forget juggling a dozen different bowls and toppings. This is a complete, satisfying, and flavor-packed meal that’s ready in about 30 minutes, with only one pan to wash. It’s the perfect low-stress, high-reward way to kick off a fantastic weekend.
The Ultimate One-Pan Fiesta
I’ve always loved the tradition of Taco-Freitag (Taco Friday). It’s a meal that’s inherently social and customizable. This recipe was born from the desire to capture that fun, festive spirit, but in a streamlined, cozy format perfect for an autumn evening. By cooking the rice directly in the skillet with the seasoned beef and sauce, it absorbs every ounce of that delicious taco flavor, becoming so much more than just a simple side dish.
The real heart of this dish is the homemade spicy seasoning blend. It’s a simple mix of pantry-staple spices that creates a smoky, savory, and perfectly spicy base that puts store-bought packets to shame. This skillet isn’t just a meal; it’s a celebration of bold flavors and smart, simple cooking.
Why This Taco Skillet is a Weeknight Winner:
- All the Taco Flavor, in One Pan: You get the savory meat, the rice, the beans, and the corn all in one dish. Maximum flavor, minimum mess!
- Ready in About 30 Minutes: This is a true fast and festive meal, perfect for a hungry family on a Friday night.
- Hearty, Satisfying, and Complete: This is a true all-in-one meal, packed with protein, carbs, and veggies. It will leave everyone at the table happy and full.
- Endlessly Fun to Top: The skillet is the canvas, and the toppings are your paint! Everyone can customize their own serving to make it just the way they like it.
Ingredients & Equipment
For the Spicy Taco Seasoning:
- Chili Powder: 2 tablespoons.
- Ground Cumin (Kreuzkümmel): 1 tablespoon.
- Smoked Paprika: 2 teaspoons.
- Garlic Powder: 1 teaspoon.
- Onion Powder: 1 teaspoon.
- Dried Oregano: 1 teaspoon.
- Salt: 1 teaspoon.
- Cayenne Pepper: ½ teaspoon (or more, for extra spice).
For the Taco Skillet:
- Lean Ground Beef (mageres Rinderhackfleisch): 500g (about 1 lb).
- Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon.
- Yellow Onion: 1 large, chopped.
- Garlic: 3 cloves, minced.
- Jalapeño: 1, finely diced (optional, for extra heat).
- Beef Broth (Rinderbrühe): 350 ml (1 ½ cups).
- Diced Tomatoes: 1 can (400g / 14.5 oz), undrained.
- Long-Grain White Rice: 200g (1 cup), uncooked and rinsed.
- Black Beans (schwarze Bohnen): 1 can (425g / 15 oz), rinsed and drained.
- Corn (Mais): 1 can (about 300g / 10 oz), drained.
- Shredded Cheddar or Mexican Blend Cheese: 200g (2 cups).
- For Serving: Fresh cilantro, sour cream, avocado, tortilla chips.
Helpful Equipment:
- A large, deep skillet (at least 12 inches) with a tight-fitting lid.
Time Estimates
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Total Time: Approximately 30-35 minutes
Step-by-Step Instructions
Let’s get this Friday night fiesta started!
Step 1: Mix Seasoning and Brown the Beef In a small bowl, whisk together all the taco seasoning ingredients. Heat the olive oil in your large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until it is fully browned. Drain off any excess grease.
Step 2: Add the Flavor Stir in the minced garlic and the optional diced jalapeño. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Sprinkle the entire bowl of homemade taco seasoning over the beef and stir to coat everything well. Cook for another minute to toast the spices.
Step 3: Simmer the Rice Pour the beef broth and the can of undrained diced tomatoes into the skillet. Stir in the rinsed, uncooked rice. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low.
Step 4: Cover and Cook Cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid and let it simmer for 15 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
Step 5: Add the Beans and Corn Remove the lid and gently stir in the rinsed black beans and the drained corn.
Step 6: Top with Cheese Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly all over the top of the skillet. Place the lid back on for just 2-3 minutes to allow the cheese to melt into a glorious, gooey blanket.
Step 7: Garnish and Serve Remove from the heat. Garnish generously with chopped fresh cilantro and serve hot, straight from the skillet, with all your favorite toppings.
Notes, Tips, & Variations
- Control the Heat: The spice level is completely in your hands. For a milder version, reduce or omit the cayenne pepper in the seasoning blend and leave out the jalapeño. For a fiery version, add more!
- The Ultimate Toppings Bar: This is where the fun really begins! Set out bowls of sour cream or Greek yogurt, diced avocado or guacamole, fresh salsa or pico de gallo, and crushed tortilla chips for a crunchy topping.
- Grain Swaps: Not a fan of white rice? You can make this with an equal amount of quinoa (cooking time will be similar). For brown rice, you will need to increase the broth to 2 cups and the simmer time to 35-40 minutes.
- Make it Creamy: For an extra decadent and creamy skillet, stir in 2-3 tablespoons of cream cheese with the beans and corn before you top it with the shredded cheese.
Easy Spicy Taco Skillet with Ground Beef
Ingredients
- Taco Seasoning:
- 2 tbsp chili powder 1 tbsp cumin, 2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp oregano, 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp cayenne pepper
- Skillet:
- 500 g 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 jalapeño diced (optional)
- 350 ml 1 ½ cups beef broth
- 1 can 400g diced tomatoes
- 200 g 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed
- 1 can 425g black beans, rinsed
- 1 can 300g corn, drained
- 200 g 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
- For Serving: Fresh cilantro sour cream, avocado, etc.
Instructions
- Prep: In a small bowl, mix all taco seasoning ingredients.
- Brown Beef: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté onion for 3-4 mins. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain fat.
- Add Flavor: Stir in garlic and optional jalapeño; cook for 1 min. Add the entire bowl of taco seasoning and stir for 1 min.
- Simmer: Add beef broth, undrained tomatoes, and rinsed rice. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 mins until rice is tender.
- Add Fillings: Stir in the rinsed beans and corn.
- Melt Cheese: Top evenly with shredded cheese. Cover and let stand for 2-3 mins until the cheese is melted.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve hot with your favorite taco toppings.
Notes
- Adjust the cayenne pepper and jalapeño to control the spice level.
- This dish is all about the toppings! Set out bowls of sour cream, avocado, salsa, and crushed tortilla chips.
- For a creamier version, stir in some cream cheese with the beans and corn.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How can I control the spice level of this dish? You have two main points of control. First is the cayenne pepper in the seasoning blend—use just a pinch for mild, or a full teaspoon for hot. The second is the fresh jalapeño. For a little heat, add it as is. For less heat, make sure to remove the seeds and white membrane before dicing. For a completely mild version, leave both out entirely.
2. Can I use a different grain instead of white rice? Yes, but you will need to adjust the liquid and cooking time. For quinoa, the liquid amount should be about the same, and it will cook in about 15 minutes. For brown rice, you’ll need more liquid (about 2 cups of broth) and a much longer simmer time (around 35-45 minutes).
3. What are the best toppings for a taco skillet? This is the best part! I love to set up a “toppings bar.” Some of our favorites are a dollop of cool sour cream or Greek yogurt, diced fresh avocado or guacamole, a spoonful of fresh salsa or pico de gallo, sliced pickled jalapeños, and a big handful of crushed tortilla chips for a fantastic crunch.
4. Can I make this with ground chicken or turkey instead of beef? Absolutely! This recipe is fantastic with lean ground turkey or ground chicken. The cooking process is exactly the same. It’s a great way to lighten up the dish a bit.
Ready for Your Taco Fiesta?
This one-pan wonder is one of my all-time favorite ways to celebrate the end of a long week. It’s just so easy, so flavorful, and so much fun to eat. I truly hope it becomes a Friday night staple in your home, too. If you make it, I’d love to hear how you topped it in the comments below!
For more easy, family-friendly meals, be sure to follow me on Pinterest and Instagram. Have a delicious weekend! And don’t forget the Asian-Style Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps.