Creamy Taco Orzo Skillet
This one-pot creamy taco orzo skillet combines ground beef, taco spices, tender orzo pasta, and a swirl of cream cheese for a comforting, family-friendly dinner. It’s quick, packed with protein, and perfect for busy weeknights with minimal cleanup.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey/chicken)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup orzo pasta, uncooked
- 1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
- 1/2 cup canned corn, drained (optional)
- 1/2 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- Chopped fresh cilantro (for garnish)
- Sliced jalapeños (optional, for garnish)
- Diced avocado (for garnish)
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt (for garnish)
- Lime wedges (for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and onion; cook, breaking up the meat, until browned and no pink remains (5-7 minutes). Stir in garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
- Sprinkle taco seasoning over the beef mixture. Stir until evenly coated. Add orzo and toss to combine.
- Pour in diced tomatoes (with juice), tomato sauce, and chicken broth. Scrape the bottom to bring up any browned bits.
- Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer, stirring every 3-4 minutes, until orzo is tender and most liquid is absorbed (10-12 minutes).
- Stir in black beans and corn. Add softened cream cheese in small pieces. Stir until melted and creamy.
- Sprinkle cheddar cheese over the skillet. Cover and let sit for 2 minutes off the heat until melted. (Optional: Broil uncovered for 2 minutes for a golden top.)
- Taste and adjust salt/pepper. Top with cilantro, jalapeños, avocado, sour cream, and lime wedges before serving.
Notes
For gluten-free, swap orzo for gluten-free pasta. For vegetarian, use vegetable broth and skip the meat. Stir often to prevent sticking. Add broth if mixture looks dry. Broil for a golden cheese top if desired. Leftovers keep well and can be reheated with a splash of broth or milk.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1.5 cups per serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 5
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 38
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 24
Keywords: taco skillet, creamy orzo, one-pot dinner, family meal, Mexican pasta, ground beef, easy weeknight, comfort food