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Cheesy beef taco skillet in a cast iron pan

Taco Skillet

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An easy, healthy ground Beef Taco Skillet made with rice, beans, veggies, and your favorite Mexican flavors. A fast family favorite that cooks in one pan for easy clean up!
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 45 minutes
Total: 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
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Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 pound 93% lean ground beef
  • 1 small yellow onion chopped
  • 2 red or green bell peppers chopped
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 can low-sodium black beans 15 ounces, rinsed and drained—or swap kidney or pinto beans
  • 1 cup long or medium-grain brown rice do not use short grain or instant, as it will become mushy
  • 1 15- or 16-ounce jar chunky salsa mild or medium (or swap fire roasted diced tomatoes in their juices and add additional spices to taste)
  • 1 ½ to 2 cups water divided
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese or swap cheddar, pepper jack, or a Mexican blend
  • Optional — for serving: chopped fresh cilantro, lime wedges, sliced jalapeno, shredded cheese, diced avocado, prepared salsa, sour cream, or plain Greek yogurt
  • Optional to make tacos, burritos, or quesadillas warmed whole wheat flour or corn tortillas

Instructions
 

  • Heat the olive oil in a large, ovenproof skillet or Dutch oven with a tight-fitting lid over medium-high heat. Once hot and shimmering, swirl to coat the pan, then add the beef, onion, and bell pepper. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, until the beef is browned and cooked through and the onion is beginning to soften.
  • Add the chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir to coat the beef and cook 30 seconds. Add the black beans and rice. Stir to coat once more.
  • Add the salsa and 1 1/2 cups water. Stir to combine the ingredients. Bring to a gentle boil, cover, then reduce the heat and let simmer 30 minutes. Remove the lid and stir, scraping up any rice that has started to stick to the bottom of the pot. Recover and continue to let simmer with the lid on until the rice is tender, 10 to 20 additional minutes, stirring the pot every 10 minutes or so to prevent sticking. If the rice begins to dry out, splash in the remaining 1/2 cup water as needed.
  • Towards the end of the cooking time, place a rack in the upper third of the oven (about 6 inches from the top) and turn the oven to broil. Once the skillet is finished cooking on the stove, sprinkle the cheese on top, then transfer to the oven. Broil just until the cheese is melted, about 2 minutes (watch it carefully so it doesn’t burn). Serve hot with any desired toppings or spoon inside tortillas to make tacos, burritos, or quesadillas.

Notes

  • If white rice or another type of rice is substituted, the cooking time will vary. Consult the package for guidance.
  • TO STORE: Store the beef taco filling in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. 
  • TO REHEAT: Gently rewarm leftovers in a large ovenproof skillet in the oven at 350 degrees F until warmed through. You can also reheat this dish in the microwave. 
  • TO FREEZE: Place leftover filling in an airtight freezer-safe storage container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1(of 6)Calories: 479kcalCarbohydrates: 51gProtein: 31gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 66mgPotassium: 922mgFiber: 10gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 1925IUVitamin C: 53mgCalcium: 216mgIron: 5mg
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