The time has come you guys. I never thought I’d see the day, but lately my kitchen is getting more action from real meals than desserts…I knew that with a growing boy with a big appetite I’d have to start cooking real food soon, but I have to say it’s really crept up on me. I am the mother to a one year old boy who prefers spicy Mexican, Thai & Indian food over anything else. As excited as I am for my budding foodie, I really have to up my game- baby food just won’t cut it for this boy.
He’s made it clear he likes adult food more than anything else, so I’ve been making an effort to cook a big dinner most nights that he can also eat. The meals I cook need to be: Quick, Easy to prep ahead of time, and great leftover, (as Hugo usually eats our dinner for meals the following day.) I’ve gathered quite a collection of awesome recipes and I’m excited to start sharing with you guys! Because really- who doesn’t love quick and easy?
This meal is also super adaptable, making it pretty simple to whip up with whatever you have in your fridge. I’ve made this 3 times in the last month and it’s always a little different. This version uses ground beef, but it’s also wonderful with ground turkey or even all beans. I’ve made it with greek yogurt instead of sour cream, fresh tomatoes instead of canned, and extra garlic instead of onion. This meal can handle all the changes and really just turn out so well.
It’s basically onions and peppers sautéed with beans, ground beef and lots of taco seasoning. To that mix goes some rice (or quinoa!) tomatoes, and sour cream. The creamy mixture is then topped with cheese and jalapeño peppers, and baked for a few minutes to melt the cheese and finish the dish. It’s really that simple! Delicious, hearty, family-friendly dinner on the table in 30 minutes or less.
Do you like this meal series? Please let me know! I hope to make it a regular thing around these parts :)
- 2 cups of cooked rice (any variety, quinoa would be great too)
- 1 medium or large onion, diced
- 2 bell peppers, diced
- 1 lb. of ground beef (or turkey)
- 1- 15 oz can of black beans, rinsed
- 1-15 oz can of diced tomatoes
- 1 packet of taco seasoning
- 1 cup of sour cream or full fat greek yogurt
- 1 cup of grated cheese, (I used cheddar)
- 1 jalapeno pepper, sliced (optional)
- lime wedges & tortilla chips for serving (optional)
- Preheat oven to 400F.
- In a large cast iron skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Sauté the onion and pepper until soft. Add the beef and break apart with a spoon, stirring until browned and cooked through. Add the taco seasoning and stir well to combine.
- Add the beans, rice, and tomatoes, and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt & pepper to taste.
- Stir in the sour cream and top with the grated cheese and jalapeños. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden.
- Serve with a squeeze of lime and some tortilla chips on the side.
Elisa @ Insalata di Sillabe says
Of course I love this series, I’m always looking for new dinner ideas and the more they’re simple and quick to put together the better!
I love how adaptable this dish is! I’ll be trying it with greek yogurt instead of sour cream and with all beans for a veggie based dinner.
xo, Elisa
Julie says
I love this! It’s just the two of us, so I don’t make many desserts (truly, we don’t need them if we care to fit in our clothes by April) and quick and easy is the name of the game. I just printed this off for one of our dinners next week.
Jess Knight says
I’m really sad I don’t have a cast iron skillet…I want this right now! Guess I need to go shopping this weekend :) Pinned this recipe!
Ginny Alfano says
This is such a great idea, Audra! We are all busy it seems, so the only way to go is quick and easy. I can’t wait to make this next week – my husband will love it. It will be so simple to put together after work and then have as left overs another night. My step-daughter has a little boy just a month older than Hugo. He has always preferred “real” food over baby food. He eats anything and everything. Sounds like a trend with these boys – baby food companies beware :) . I will have to share your recipe with her. I will look forward to more like this in the future!
Cristina P. says
This looks great! I live in Tucson, AZ and have great Mexican food all the time. I would leave out the rice and use to make tostadas!
Cara says
Love this series, love this recipe! By the way you have mad photography skills!☺️
Melissa says
meal series?! YES PLEASE DO!
Chelsey Patti says
Yes, this is a great meal series! Going to try this one for sure! Pinning!
-Chelsey
Candace @ Cabot says
My boy, like yours, always preferred “grown up food,” even as a wee one. Now he is a 29-year old innkeeper and chef. I can’t wait to try this recipe with him. It looks totally yummy!
Olivia says
I would love you to continue with this series!! especially if they’re quick and easy meals! and so awesome that hugo has such a great love for food already :)
Coco in the Kitchen says
Daisy has been asking for tacos.
Now that she’s over cheeseburgers, tacos are her fav food.
But, this skillet dish of yours is the bomb. We can fill the taco shells
with this yummy goodness!
Joanne says
Keep the savory food coming!! And yes, I’ll take a big bowl of all beans please. :)
Kacie says
Could you make this in a crock pot I wonder?
Cara says
Audra, I know I have commented on this pos before, but I can’t even tell you how many times I have this since the first post! It is a legit favorite- my family and classmates love this and always ask for the recipe! Thanks again ☺️
Audra says
Yay I’m so glad!