My family absolutely loves tacos for dinner. While my husband enjoys all types of tacos, my daughter prefers the classic ground beef version. It’s a simple dish made with a taco seasoning packet and water, perfect for those busy nights when I need a quick and easy meal. One evening, as I was preparing to make tacos yet again, I suddenly craved something different – a complete meal that included rice and beans all in one dish. So, I decided to get creative and made a taco skillet instead.
I cooked the ground meat as I normally would for tacos, adding the seasoning packet, canned tomatoes, and green chiles. After simmering for a bit, I mixed in cooked, frozen rice and black beans. I topped it with cheese and broiled it until it was golden and bubbly. When my family sat down to eat, they were surprised by the taco skillet instead of traditional tacos, but they dug in and added their favorite toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, and sour cream.
To my relief, both my husband and daughter enjoyed the meal. My daughter, who usually doesn’t like mixed foods, even had a smile of approval. This taco skillet has now become a household favorite, still a simple and easy meal but always a joy to prepare and eat.
For the Cheesy Baked Taco Skillet recipe:
Ingredients for 4 to 6 servings:
– 1 pound ground sirloin or 90% lean ground beef
– 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced fire-roasted tomatoes, with juices
– 3/4 cup water
– 1 (4-ounce) can diced green chiles
– 1 (1-ounce) packet taco seasoning
– 1 (10-ounce) package frozen cooked rice
– 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
– Salt and pepper, to taste
– 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
– Optional toppings: lettuce, onions, tomatoes, sour cream, salsa, avocado
Instructions:
1. Brown the beef in a large, oven-proof skillet on the stovetop.
2. Stir in tomatoes, water, green chiles, and taco seasoning. Simmer until thickened.
3. Add rice and black beans, warm through, and season with salt and pepper.
4. Top with cheese and broil until golden brown.
5. Serve with your favorite toppings.
Feel free to customize the recipe by trying different proteins like ground turkey or chicken, adding more vegetables, or using leftovers to make it your own delicious creation.
Allow the mixture to sit for a few extra minutes to thaw and reduce some of the liquid content. Experiment with different grains: While I personally enjoy pairing this dish with white rice, brown rice also makes for a delicious alternative. For a more creative twist, consider using other whole grains such as quinoa or bulgur. Just ensure that your grains are cooked prior to incorporating them into the skillet.
Enhance the dish with toppings! Toppings play a crucial role in elevating the flavors of this meal. Feel free to utilize whatever ingredients you have available as a substitute or addition to the toppings, such as freshly chopped cilantro, thinly sliced scallions, pickled jalapeños, sautéed corn, or a splash of lime juice. Additionally, don’t overlook the option of incorporating flavorful sauces like hot sauce or chili sauce to add an extra kick to the dish.
Refer to the original article on SIMPLYRECIPES for further details.
