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Quick Cheesy Ground Beef Taco Skillet Recipe with Easy Lime Crema

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A quick and easy skillet meal featuring cheesy ground beef, black beans, and a tangy lime crema, perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 preferred)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup canned diced tomatoes with green chilies (like Rotel)
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (or blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack)
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • Juice and zest of 1 lime
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • Pinch of salt
  • Optional toppings: chopped fresh cilantro, diced avocado or guacamole, pickled jalapeños, freshly sliced green onions, warm tortillas or tortilla chips

Instructions

  1. Finely chop the onion and mince the garlic. Drain and rinse the black beans. Shred cheese if not pre-shredded.
  2. Heat skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking apart, until browned and no longer pink, about 6–8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  3. Push beef to one side. Add onion and garlic to empty side and cook until onion is translucent, about 3–4 minutes. Mix together.
  4. Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper over beef mixture. Stir well and cook for 1 minute.
  5. Add black beans and diced tomatoes with green chilies. Simmer for 5 minutes over medium heat to meld flavors and reduce liquid.
  6. Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over skillet mixture. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let cheese melt for 3–5 minutes.
  7. While cheese melts, whisk sour cream, lime juice, lime zest, garlic powder, and pinch of salt in a small bowl. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  8. Serve cheesy beef mixture on plates or straight from skillet. Dollop lime crema on top and garnish with optional toppings.

Notes

Brown the beef properly for deep flavor and drain excess fat to avoid greasiness. Toast spices after cooking onions and garlic to boost aroma. Simmer to thicken sauce and avoid watery skillet. Cover skillet to melt cheese evenly; broil briefly for golden top if desired. Fresh lime zest in crema is essential for brightness. Multitask by making crema while cheese melts to save time. Lime crema balances richness and adds fresh tang.

Nutrition

Keywords: ground beef, taco skillet, lime crema, quick dinner, cheesy, black beans, easy recipe, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://tastypierecipes.com/quick-cheesy-ground-beef-taco-skillet-recipe-with-easy-lime-crema/