Easy Taco Skillet

By Maria Lichty

Published on February 19, 2025

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Why You’ll Love This Cheesy Taco Skillet

• Quick and Easy: You only need about 30 minutes to make this delicious meal, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
• Satisfying: This one-pan dish combines lean protein from the ground turkey, hearty rice for fullness, and plenty of veggies for added nutrition.
• Flavorful: Packed with the classic taco seasoning, onion, garlic, herbs, rich tomatoes, lime, and topped with melty cheese, this dish is sure to please everyone at the table.
• Minimal Cleanup: Since it’s all made in one skillet, there’s less mess to clean up after cooking.
• Meal Prep Favorite: It holds up well in the fridge for several days and can be easily reheated for a quick meal.

Key Ingredients

You’ll find the full list of ingredients in the recipe card below, but here are some ingredient notes before you get started.

• Ground turkey: The lean protein base for the taco skillet. Of course, you can use ground beef or ground chicken.
• Rice: Stir in cooked rice to make the skillet extra hearty. You can use white, brown, or even cauliflower rice as a low-carb alternative.
• Zucchini: The shredded zucchini adds moisture and why not add in an extra veggie?
• Taco seasoning: This is the magic ingredient that brings all the bold, spicy flavors to the skillet. I recommend using our homemade taco seasoning, but store bought will work too.
• Tomatoes: Use fire roasted diced tomatoes for maximum flavor. Don’t drain the tomatoes, you want all of the juices to add moisture to the dish.
• Green chiles: Use mild green chiles, they aren’t spicy, just loaded with flavor!

How to Make Easy Taco Skillet

• Sauté the veggies. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add a little oil. Add the onion and bell peppers and sauté for a few minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute.

• Cook the ground turkey. Add the ground turkey to the skillet, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Cook for 5 minutes, until browned and cooked through.

• Add zucchini, cilantro, and seasonings. Stir in the shredded zucchini, cilantro, taco seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2 minutes.

• Add tomatoes, rice, green chiles, and cheese. Stir in diced tomatoes (with their juices), COOKED rice, green chiles, and ½ cup of the shredded cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted.

• Top with cheese. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top in an even layer.

• Broil. Place the skillet under the broiler and broil for just a couple of minutes until the cheese is melted and slightly browned. Don’t walk away, the cheese will brown quickly!
• Serve. Remove from oven and garnish with desired toppings.

Toppings

Toppings are the best part of any taco night! Here are some ideas to elevate your taco skillet.

• Lime wedges: A squeeze of lime enhances the flavors beautifully.
• Sour cream or Greek yogurt: For added creaminess.
• Salsa or Pico de Gallo: Fresh, zesty, and full of flavor.
• Guacamole: A must-have for creamy avocado goodness.
• Shredded lettuce: For crunch and freshness.
• Sliced jalapeños: If you like a bit of heat!
• Cilantro: Fresh cilantro adds a burst of flavor.
• Pickled Red Onions: My personal favorite! I always have a jar in the fridge.

Serving Suggestions

• Taco Salad: Make it a taco salad by serving over a bed of lettuce and adding pico de gallo and creamy cilantro lime dressing or jalapeño ranch.
• Side of Chips: Serve with a side of crispy tortilla chips for dipping!
• In Tortillas: If you prefer, serve the skillet mixture inside soft tortillas and top with toppings!

How to Store

• This taco skillet can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of water or broth to keep it moist.
• If you want to freeze the leftovers, transfer them into a freezer-safe container and store for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, simply thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat.

More Easy Skillet Recipes

• Skillet Chicken Enchiladas
• Cheesy Rice and Bean Skillet
• Vegetarian Taco Skillet
• Easy Skillet Chicken Thighs
• Cheesy Ground Turkey Rice Skillet with Marinara Sauce

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Main Dishes

Easy Taco Skillet

Make dinner a breeze with this easy taco skillet recipe! Ground turkey, rice, veggies, and melted cheese come together in one pan for a flavorful, quick, and healthy meal perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Cuisine Mexican

Servings 6

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
• 1/2 large yellow onion, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1 small zucchini, shredded (½ cup)
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
• 2 14.5 oz cans fire roasted tomatoes
• 4 oz diced green chiles
• 1 cup cooked brown rice or white rice
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
• Optional toppings: cilantro, green onion, diced tomatoes, radish, avocado, jalapeño slices, pickled red onions, queso fresco

Instructions

 

• In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium high heat. Add the onion and red pepper; cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is tender. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
• Add the ground turkey and cook, stirring and breaking apart the turkey with a wooden spoon, until browned, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in the shredded zucchini, cilantro, taco seasoning, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2 minutes.
• Add the tomatoes, green chiles, cooked rice, and ½ cup shredded cheese. Stir until combined and cheese is melted. Top with remaining ½ cup cheese.
• Preheat the broiler. Place the skillet under the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes or until cheese is melted and slightly browned. Watch closely. Remove from oven and garnish with desired toppings. We like to serve with tortillas or tortilla chips.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. 

Nutrition

Calories: 242kcal, Carbohydrates: 13g, Protein: 24g, Fat: 10g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 60mg, Sodium: 589mg, Potassium: 439mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 1044IU, Vitamin C: 40mg, Calcium: 159mg, Iron: 1mg

Keywords chicken and rice casserole, ground turkey, taco seasoning, tomatoes

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