Mexican Ground Beef Recipes (Skillet & One-Pot Meals)

The Best Mexican Ground Beef Recipes: Easy Skillet Meals, Casseroles, and Tacos

If there’s one ingredient that always saves dinner in my house, it’s ground beef. Whether I’m making Mexican casserole picadillo, a beef skillet with rice, or an easy ground beef recipe, I know I can have a delicious meal ready in no time. Growing up in Chihuahua, Mexico, my mamá would always have a pound of ground beef in the fridge because it was the perfect base for so many authentic Mexican food recipes—from taco night to burrito fillings.

Now that I have my own family, I love making quick, one-pot meals with Mexican flavors that remind me of home. Plus, these Mexican ground beef recipes are perfect for meal prepping—just store leftovers in an airtight container and enjoy them throughout the week.

Today, I’m sharing four of my favorite ground beef recipes that are easy, packed with flavor, and perfect for everything from Taco Tuesday to a hearty casserole.

Classic Mexican Picadillo: The Ultimate Comfort Food

Picadillo con Papas is an authentic Mexican ground beef casserole made with ground beef, potatoes, fresh tomatoes, chile ancho and aromatic spices. This easy skillet meal is a staple in Mexican cuisine and can also be prepared with ground pork or ground turkey. Its versatile flavors make it perfect for serving in tacos, burritos, tostadas, over rice, or even as a filling for empanadas. Whether you're looking for a one-pot meal or a hearty dinner, Mexican picadillo is a great recipe packed with Mexican flavors that your entire family will love

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Easy Recipe Carne Molida (Simple ingredients you must have at home)

When Mexican moms like me run out of ideas for weeknight dinners, we always turn to this easy carne molida recipe, also known as picadillo. It's a one-skillet meal that’s quick, flavorful, and perfect for the whole family. This authentic Mexican ground beef recipe varies by region—some add carrots, peas, or raisins, but in Chihuahua and Durango, we keep it simple with potatoes, fresh tomatoes, onions, and jalapeño for a hearty, comforting dish. Serve carne molida with warm corn tortillas, Mexican rice, or white rice, or use it as a taco, burrito, or quesadilla filling. No matter how you enjoy it, this classic Mexican dish is always a hit! This recipe is perfect for soft tortilla tacos or taco shells.

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One-Skillet Mexican Carne Molida con Papas and Poblano Strips (Easy & Flavorful!)

For this authentic Mexican beef skillet recipe you can use poblano or Anaheim peppers. In Chihuahua, Mexico, we traditionally use chile chilaca (Anaheim pepper), often swapping it for poblano peppers in dishes like chile con queso. It adds a rich, smoky flavor that makes this Mexican beef skillet even more special.

This easy one-skillet meal features ground beef, diced potatoes, and strips of roasted poblano or Anaheim peppers, all coming together in a hearty, flavorful dish. Melt some cheese on top for an extra indulgent touch, or use it as a filling for tacos, burritos, or quesadillas. This recipe is especially popular in Northern Mexico and is a great way to bring Mexican flavors to your table! This pairs perfectly with flour tortillas for cheddar cheese quesadillas or burritos!

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The Perfect Side Dishes for Your Mexican Ground Beef Recipes

A delicious Mexican ground beef recipe deserves the perfect side dishes to complement its bold flavors. Whether you’re making carne molida, picadillo, ground beef tacos, or a Mexican beef skillet, these authentic Mexican sides will take your meal to the next level!

1. Mexican Rice skillet (Arroz Rojo)

This classic side dish is a must-have! Fluffy white rice, simmered with tomato sauce, garlic, and chicken broth, pairs perfectly with ground beef picadillo, burritos, and taco-seasoned ground beef. Arroz Recipe.

2. Refried Beans (Frijoles Refritos)

Creamy, smooth, and full of Mexican flavors, refried beans are an easy and hearty side dish. Serve them with tortilla chips, tacos, or as a burrito filling! Pork Beans Recipe

3. Mexican Street Corn (Elote or Esquites)

Grilled sweet corn slathered with mayo, lime juice, cotija cheese, and chili powder makes a delicious side for Mexican casseroles, ground beef enchiladas, and tostadas.

4. Guacamole & Chips

A fresh guacamole with avocados, lime juice, onions, and cilantro is always a hit! Pair it with tortilla chips or as a topping for ground beef tacos and burrito bowls.

5. Mexican Slaw (Curtido)

For a lighter side, a crunchy slaw made with cabbage, lime juice, and jalapeños adds the perfect zesty crunch to taco salads, ground beef tostadas, and quesadillas.

6. Roasted Poblano Peppers with Cheese

If you love authentic Mexican flavors, try roasting poblano peppers, cutting them into strips and make rajas con queso o chile pasado that goes great with carne molida or ground beef picadillo.

7. Warm Corn Tortillas

Nothing beats soft tortillas for scooping up Mexican ground beef skillet meals or making your own tacos, burritos, and quesadillas at the table. Learn to warm tortillas for a crowd.

8. favorite toppings

If any of these recipes is going to become a taco salad or burrito bowl, check out my authentic taco toppings!

9. Hot Sauce

A magnificent salsa taquera verde will go fantastic with any of these carne molida recipes.

No matter which Mexican beef recipe you’re making, these easy side dishes will turn your meal into a restaurant-style feast! Which one is your favorite? Let me know in the comments!