Go Back

Beef Taco Skillet

Beef taco skillet with browned ground beef simmered with salsa and tomato soup until it turns saucy and mash-like, then finished with melted cheddar. Tear-and-simmer tortilla pieces soak up the red-orange sauce for an all-in-one taco dinner in one pan.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 520

Ingredients
  

ground beef
  • 1 lb ground beef
tomato soup
  • 1 can (10.75 oz) tomato soup
salsa
  • 0.5 cup salsa
water
  • 0.5 cup water
flour tortillas
  • 6 flour tortillas
shredded cheddar cheese
  • 0.5 cup shredded cheddar cheese
salt and pepper
  • salt and pepper to taste

Equipment

  • 1 cast iron skillet

Method
 

Brown the beef
  1. Cook the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat until browned, stirring occasionally, about 5-7 minutes; drain off any excess fat as the skillet juices thin and the meat loses its pink color.
Simmer the taco mash
  1. Stir in the tomato soup, salsa, water, and torn tortilla pieces until evenly combined and the tortillas are coated in the red-orange mixture.
  2. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until thickened and saucy enough to cling to the tortillas.
  3. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then stir to distribute the seasoning through the skillet.
Melt and serve
  1. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar over the top and cover until melted, about 1-3 minutes, watching for the cheese to fully soften and turn glossy.
  2. Serve hot straight from the skillet once the sauce is bubbling at the edges and the cheddar is melted.

Notes

Pro tip: tear the tortillas into bite-size pieces before simmering so they soften quickly and thicken the skillet faster. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days; reheat in a skillet with a splash of water to loosen the sauce. Freezing isn’t recommended because the tortillas can get softer once thawed. For a lighter option, use 93% lean ground beef or substitute a lower-fat cheddar.