An easy taco skillet that’s like a gourmet version of Hamburger Helper. Perfect to make on busy weeknights. Plus, you can make it as spicy (or not) as you want!

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One Pan Cheesy Taco Skillet! An easy taco skillet that's like a gourmet version of Hamburger Helper. Perfect for busy weeknights. And you can make it as spicy (or not) as you want! | HomemadeHooplah.com

About One Pan Cheesy Taco Skillet

It’s been a hectic week over here at our house, and I can’t tell you how ready I am for 1) the weekend and 2) another helping of this ultra cheesy taco skillet.

I’m hoping I’ll be able to relax a little bit over the next few days. But, knowing me, I’ll wake up from a daze and catch myself doing more work, perpetually caught up in the “I’ll just finish this one last thing…” cycle.

I guess that’s the cost of loving what you do for a living.

But there are parts of my “job” that can be easy, too. A busy week for me means that I’m pressed for time to make dinner, and when I’m pressed for time it means I start brainstorming the best way to whip up a recipe that can be cooked from start to finish in one pan.

And who doesn’t love that?

There’s nothing easier (or better after a long day) than a full flavored dish that doesn’t create a mess or leave you feeling like you just finished running a marathon. After how this week has been, no matter how much I secretly love what I do, I just wanted something simple that I could enjoy without having to overthink it too much.

And with this taco skillet, I totally nailed it.

One Pan Cheesy Taco Skillet! An easy taco skillet that's like a gourmet version of Hamburger Helper. Perfect for busy weeknights. And you can make it as spicy (or not) as you want! | HomemadeHooplah.com

This is a very basic recipe at its core – beef, elbow macaroni, cheese, plus all the tasty taco flavors you can handle – but sometimes (okay, most of the time) simple recipes are the best kind.

Perfection doesn’t need to be an elaborate exercise in culinary excellence. Some ingredients just work together because they work together.

End of story.

It’s hard to improve perfection.

Sort of like beef and macaroni – they were made to go together. As were taco seasoning and sour cream.

Oh, and cheese.

Lots and lots of cheese.

Because cheese plays well with everything.

This is the type of dinner I’d look forward to ending my day with.

One Pan Cheesy Taco Skillet! An easy taco skillet that's like a gourmet version of Hamburger Helper. Perfect for busy weeknights. And you can make it as spicy (or not) as you want! | HomemadeHooplah.com

notes & tips for this taco skillet recipe

Recipe Details

One Pan Cheesy Taco Skillet! An easy taco skillet that's like a gourmet version of Hamburger Helper. Perfect for busy weeknights. And you can make it as spicy (or not) as you want! | HomemadeHooplah.com
4.43 from 35 votes

One Pan Cheesy Taco Skillet

5 minutes prep + 25 minutes cook
661 kcal
Yields: 6 servings
An easy taco skillet that’s like a gourmet version of Hamburger Helper. Perfect to make on busy weeknights. Plus, you can make it as spicy (or not) as you want!

Ingredients 

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1/2 cup yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon fresh garlic, minced
  • 1 pinch salt, to taste
  • 1 pinch black pepper, to taste
  • 2 cups water, separated
  • 15 ounce corn, (1 can) drained
  • 1 cup salsa, any flavor, mild to spicy
  • 1 cup taco sauce, any flavor, mild to spicy
  • 1 ounce taco seasoning, any flavor, mild to spicy
  • 2 cup Mexican cheese blend, shredded, separated
  • 2 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1/2 cup sour cream, optional

Instructions

  • In a large skillet, heat vegetable oil. Add ground beef to skillet, then cook and crumble ground beef over medium high heat. Drain grease and return ground beef to pan.
  • Reduce heat to medium and add chopped onion and garlic to skillet, plus salt and pepper to taste. Cook until onion is translucent and garlic is fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.
  • Pour in 1 cup water, corn, salsa, taco sauce, taco seasoning, and elbow macaroni. Mix ingredients together and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and let simmer. For the amount of time to simmer, check your box of macaroni for the recommended cooking time and divide that number by half. 
  • Remove lid and add in final 1 cup of water, then stir. Return cover and allow to simmer for the remaining recommended cook time of the macaroni.
  • Remove skillet from heat. Quickly add in 1 cup of Mexican cheese and stir until cheese is melted. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup of Mexican cheese on top, then replace lid. Let sit for 1-3 minutes or until cheese has melted.
  • Serve immediately with sour cream and chopped cilantro as garnish (optional).

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 661kcal | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 99mg | Sodium: 1241mg | Potassium: 802mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 1389IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 317mg | Iron: 4mg

I do my best to provide nutrition information, but please keep in mind that I’m not a certified nutritionist. Any nutritional information discussed or disclosed in this post should only be seen as my best amateur estimates of the correct values.

Author: Chrisy

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Recipe Rating




50 comments

    • LAURA

    I didn’t have elbows so I used medium shells, plus no salsa so used rotel tomatoes. Came out great. It’s a keeper and in my repeat file. Thank you

    • Erika

    I just made this tonight, my family & I really enjoyed it! I added black beans as well!

    • Donna
    • 5 stars

    I have the hardest time trying to get my 7 year old to eat anything with meat in it. But he DEVOURED this!!! Thank you for this delisious recipe!

    • I’m so glad he liked it! I’m not the biggest fan of meat being mixed with other foods, so I understand how your son feels 😀

    • Catherine
    • 5 stars

    This has become a favorite in my house! I love that it makes plenty for leftovers and I feel way better about eating this than the boxed stuff flavored with mystery powder.

    • I agree, the leftovers are the best 😀 Reminds me, I really need to make this again… perfect comfort food for the chilly weather!

    • Shellie Bowdoin
    • 4 stars

    This is just the kind of meal my family loves…the comfort of a casserole mixed with Mexican flavors…it’s a winner! Thanks for sharing this with the #OMHGWW linkup!

    Shellie
    http://www.thefabjourney.com

    • Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life

    Perfect weeknight meal! We’ll be adding it to the fall lineup! And I’ll be featuring you at #FoodieFriDIY tonight as well! 🙂 Hope you’re having a great week!

    • Katherines Corner

    I hope you will share this yumminess at my Thursday hop xo

    • Miz Helen
    • 4 stars

    Your Taco Skillet looks fantastic! Thanks so much for sharing your awesome post with Full Plate Thursday. Hope you are having a great day and come back soon!
    Miz Helen

    • Lauren @ Create Bake Make
    • 4 stars

    I love how delicious this looks and how easy it is to put together – will definitely be making this! Thanks so much for linking up with us for Fabulous Foodie Fridays, have a great week 🙂

    • Debra @ Bowl Me Over
    • 5 stars

    YUM – loving this one-pot meal – gorgeous pics too! Hey, thanks for stopping by and sharing with us at #TryaBiteTuesday – hope to see you back this week! Pinned & shared!!

    • Karly
    • 5 stars

    This is my kind od dinner! Thanks for linking up with What’s Cookin’ Wednesday!