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Easy One-Skillet Ground Beef Taco Pie

one skillet ground beef taco pie - featured image

A quick and satisfying one-skillet taco pie with seasoned ground beef and a cornbread-like crust, perfect for busy weeknights and casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons taco seasoning (homemade or store-bought)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup black beans, drained and rinsed (optional)
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 3/4 cup cornmeal
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 3/4 cup milk (whole or 2%)
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional toppings: sour cream, sliced jalapeños, chopped cilantro, diced tomatoes, avocado slices

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Place a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  3. Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the beef. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until onion softens and is fragrant.
  4. Stir in taco seasoning and tomato paste. Mix well to coat the meat evenly. Fold in black beans if using. Cook for another 2 minutes to meld flavors.
  5. In a mixing bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. In another bowl, beat the egg with milk and melted butter. Combine wet ingredients into dry mix, stirring until just combined.
  6. Spread the beef mixture evenly in the bottom of the skillet. Sprinkle half of the shredded cheddar cheese over the meat.
  7. Pour the crust batter evenly on top, smoothing gently with a spatula.
  8. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  9. Remove skillet from oven and sprinkle remaining cheese over the top. Return to oven for 3-5 minutes until cheese melts.
  10. Let the pie rest for 5 minutes before slicing to set up.
  11. Serve warm with your favorite toppings such as sour cream, cilantro, or avocado.

Notes

Do not overmix the crust batter to keep it tender. Drain excess fat from beef to avoid greasy crust. Use an oven-safe skillet to avoid transferring contents. Rest the pie before slicing for easier serving. For a crispier crust, brush edges with melted butter before baking. Adjust milk or cornmeal if batter is too thick or runny.

Nutrition

Keywords: taco pie, ground beef recipe, one skillet dinner, quick dinner, easy taco recipe, cornbread crust, weeknight meal