Description
Mexican-inspired one-pan taco zucchini skillet delivers bold flavors and quick comfort in a single sizzling dish. Packed with protein, fresh vegetables, and zesty seasonings, this meal brings hearty satisfaction straight from skillet to plate for hungry diners.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium zucchinis, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
- 1 avocado, sliced (optional)
Canned and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high temperature and brown the ground beef, ensuring no pink remains.
- Eliminate excess fat from the meat, then introduce finely chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until aromatic and translucent.
- Incorporate diced zucchini and bell pepper into the skillet, allowing vegetables to soften and develop slight caramelization for approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Pour in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and sprinkle taco seasoning, then season with salt and black pepper, mixing thoroughly to distribute flavors evenly.
- Reduce heat and allow the mixture to gently simmer for 6-8 minutes, enabling vegetables to become tender and ingredients to meld harmoniously.
- Generously distribute shredded cheddar cheese across the surface, then cover the skillet and let cheese melt completely for 2-3 minutes.
- Remove from heat and enhance the dish with fresh cilantro leaves and creamy avocado slices as a vibrant, fresh finishing touch.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with plant-based crumbles or lentils for a vegetarian version that maintains the same hearty texture and flavor profile.
- For a low-carb adaptation, reduce tomato sauce quantity and increase zucchini to create a more vegetable-forward meal that keeps the classic taco essence.
- Quickly drain excess beef fat to minimize greasiness and ensure a lighter, cleaner-tasting dish that doesn’t compromise on richness.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like pepper jack or queso fresco to add unique flavor dimensions and personalize the skillet experience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 430 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg