Taco Potato Skillet

Name: Taco Potato Skillet
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 16 ounce bag southern style hash browns ((cubed frozen potatoes)); 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon paprika; 1 pound ground beef; 3/4 cup water; 1 ounce packet taco seasoning ((can use low or no sodium)); 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese ((divided use)); 1/2 cup queso dip, warmed up ((can use more if you prefer)); chopped cilantro ((optional, for garnishing))

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Taco Potato Skillet is a perfect weeknight dinner that’s stuffed with taco seasoned ground beef, hash brown potatoes, queso dip, melted cheese and whips up in just 20 minutes!

A FAST TACO INSPIRED RECIPE

I know we are all looking for quick and easy meals these days. With so much going on, it’s nice to have something that comes together this easily and so fast (and tastes amazing!) I absolutely love combining taco flavors with potatoes (as you can see with my Taco Potatoes and Taco Stuffed Potatoes.) It is a filling meal that doesn’t requite a lot of prep and is a whole meal in one. And the bonus is: the clean up is truly super simple. It can be served for a quick dinner (you can even use this as a filling for tacos!) or served as a breakfast dish!

A serving utensil in a skillet getting a scoop of Taco Potatoes.

When I saw this and had all my favorites, I had to give it a try. It was delicious and really easy to make. The kids loved it!
– Jon

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Can I use diced potatoes instead?

You could use diced potatoes as long as you dice them up about the same size, it would work out the same way. You just need 16 ounces (by weight), only caveat is, I have no idea about how many potatoes that would be, especially since they can vary so much in size.

What’s the best way to cook the potatoes?

You can honestly cook the potatoes however you want. In the oven, in a skillet, etc, any way will work. If you cook in the oven, you would prepare the same way and place on baking sheet. I would guess at 400F degrees for about 20-25 minutes (or until tender.)

What can I use in place of ground beef?

Instead of ground beef, you can use ground chicken or ground turkey.

Can I double this recipe?

Yes, you can double this recipe. You will just need a skillet that is big enough or work in multiple batches depending on how big your skillet is.

How long will leftovers last?

You can keep these in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days. The potatoes will be the crispiest once made, the longer they sit, the more soggy they’ll get.

A cast iron skillet filled with Taco Potato Skillet.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)

bag southern style hash browns– they’re just small cubed frozen potatoes. See more ideas in the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) section above.
salt and pepper, garlic powder and paprika – we’re going to use this combo of seasoning for the potatoes. If there are other flavors you enjoy or would like to add, then please use your favorite seasonings.
ground beef – you could use ground chicken, pork or turkey instead of beef if you prefer.
water
packet taco seasoning– you can use a packet or you could make a packet of Homemade Taco Seasoning. If you are concerned about sodium levels, you can use a packet of low sodium taco seasoning. You can always add additional salt to taste later on in the recipe if necessary.
shredded Monterey Jack cheese – use any shredded cheese you enjoy here. There are no limits. Want a little spice? Try using a pepper jack cheese.
queso dip – your favorite store bought queso dip works great. Or you could use Homemade Queso if you have the time and effort to put in. If you want to keep this super easy, you can grab some Gordo’s cheese dip (which is a queso and what I used) if you can find it. It is probably the most well known and easily found.
flour or corn tortillas– these tortillas are optional if you want to serve these Taco Potatoes as a taco filling.

Frozen potatoes, salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, ground beef, water, taco seasoning, and shredded cheese.

HOW TO MAKE TACO POTATO SKILLET:

In an air fryer, add 16 ounces of hash browns. Sprinkle the dried seasonings on top. Cook at 400° F for 10 minutes. Toss the potatoes and cook for an additional 5 minutes or until golden brown.

Frozen potatoes cooking in an Air Fryer basket.

While the potatoes are cooking, brown and crumble the ground beef in a large skillet. Cook over medium until fully cooked and the juices run clear. Drain the meat of any excess grease.

A roll of ground beef cooking in a skillet.

Add the water and taco seasoning. Stir and simmer for a few minutes (until mixture begins to thicken.)

Ground beef being mixed with water and seasoning.

Transfer the cooked hash browns to the skillet. Mix until the potatoes are fully coated in the taco meat.

Cooked and seasoned potatoes and ground beef in a skillet.

Add 1/2 of the shredded cheese. Mix until combined. Top with the remainder of the shredded cheese. Place a lid on top for 3 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted.

Shredded cheese being added to a skillet of potatoes and ground beef.

Remove from the heat. Drizzle on some of the warmed queso and top with chopped cilantro (optional) To serve: enjoy as-is or use as a filling for tacos.

Close up looking down on some Taco Potato Skillet with a serving spoon.

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4 Comments

Dgal says:

February 28, 2026 at 6:11 pm

I don’t have an air fryer. How can I adjust this recipe?

Reply
1. Brandie Skibinski says:
  
  February 28, 2026 at 6:51 pm
  
  I give details above in the post on how to do that 🙂
  
  Reply
Samantha says:

July 8, 2025 at 9:17 pm

This tasted like something deliciously queso-y that Taco Bell would create. Super good.

Reply
Jon says:

July 4, 2025 at 2:38 pm

When I saw this and had all my favorites, I had to give it a try. It was delicious and really easy to make. The kids loved it!

Reply