Let’s be real, friends. Aren’t we all just looking for a dinner that feels like a giant, comforting hug but doesn’t keep us chained to the stove for hours? That’s exactly what this Spicy Beef Nacho Skillet is all about. It’s your favorite restaurant-style nachos, but transformed into a hearty, all-in-one meal that you whip up in a single pan. We’re talking perfectly seasoned ground beef, creamy beans, melted cheese, and all your favorite toppings, all hanging out together in a cast-iron skillet. It’s fun, it’s fast, and it’s guaranteed to get happy cheers from the whole family.
Why You’ll Love This
You’ll love this recipe because it’s the ultimate solution for busy weeknights. It comes together in about 30 minutes, uses just one skillet for easy cleanup, and is completely customizable to please every picky eater at your table. It’s the kind of easy dinner idea that feels indulgent but is secretly pretty balanced. Honestly, the combination of the warm, spicy beef, the melty cheese, and the cool, creamy toppings is just magic. So good.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for sautéing)
- 1 pound lean ground beef (our hearty base)
- 1 yellow onion, diced (for savory sweetness)
- 1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning (for classic flavor)
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained (for fiber & protein)
- 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chiles, undrained (for spice & moisture)
- 1 cup beef broth (to deglaze and create a saucy base)
- 1 (8 oz) bag tortilla chips, sturdy restaurant-style (for the crunch)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar-Monterey Jack blend (for that epic cheesy pull)
- For serving: diced avocado, sour cream, sliced jalapeños, fresh cilantro (the fresh, cool finish)
Step by Step Method
- Heat the olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes, until it starts to soften.
- Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook for 5-7 minutes, until it’s browned and no longer pink. Drain off any excess grease.
- Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the cooked beef and stir for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the beef broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up all those tasty browned bits.
- Stir in the black beans and the entire can of diced tomatoes with green chiles (juice and all). Let the mixture simmer for 3-5 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Turn off the heat. carefully fold in the tortilla chips until they’re evenly coated in the beef mixture. Don’t overmix—we want some chunks of chip to stay crunchy!
- Evenly sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top. Transfer the skillet to a preheated broiler for 2-3 minutes, watching closely, until the cheese is perfectly bubbly and golden. Serve immediately with all your favorite toppings.
Equipment Needed
You don’t need anything fancy for this quick dinner idea. A large (at least 12-inch), oven-safe skillet is the real MVP here. A cast-iron skillet works wonderfully for getting that great crust and for going straight under the broiler. You’ll also need a wooden spoon or spatula for stirring and a can opener. That’s it!
Serving Ideas & Pairings
This dish is a full meal all on its own, but a few simple sides can round it out into a true feast. A crisp, simple side salad with a lime vinaigrette cuts through the richness beautifully. For a true Tex-Mex spread, serve it with some quick cilantro-lime rice or roasted corn. And if you’re looking for more easy healthy dinner inspiration, this skillet pairs wonderfully with any of your favorite veggie-heavy pasta dinner recipes on the side.
Flavor Twists
This recipe is a perfect canvas for your creativity! For a healthier dinner idea, swap the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken. To pack in more veggies, stir in a cup of frozen corn or some finely chopped bell peppers with the onions. If you’re not a fan of black beans, pinto or kidney beans work great. Craving more heat? Add a diced chipotle pepper in adobo sauce—it’ll give you a deep, smoky spice. Honestly, if you hate heat, just use a can of plain diced tomatoes and skip the green chiles altogether.
Storage Tips
Let any leftovers cool completely before storing them. Transfer to an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days. The chips will soften, but the flavors are still fantastic. This is one of those cheap dinners for a family that makes for great next-day lunches.
Make-Ahead & Freezer
You can absolutely get a head start! Brown the beef and onion with the seasoning, let it cool, and store it in the fridge for up to two days. When you’re ready, just reheat the beef mixture and pick up from step 4. To freeze, prepare the beef mixture (through step 4) and freeze it in a sealed container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating and assembling your Spicy Beef Nacho Skillet.
FAQs
- Can I make this healthier? Absolutely! This is a great candidate for easy healthy dinner recipes. Use ground turkey, low-sodium taco seasoning and broth, and load up on healthier toppings like fresh salsa and Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.
- My skillet isn’t oven-safe. What can I do? No problem! Just transfer the beef mixture to a greased 9×13 baking dish after step 4, top with chips and cheese, and broil it right in the dish.
- How can I prevent the nachos from getting soggy?The key is to serve it immediately after it comes out from under the broiler. The chips on top will stay super crunchy, while the ones underneath get wonderfully saucy. It’s the best of both worlds!