This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Skillet Taco Cobbler ~ ground beef, black beans, tomatoes and corn come together in a nicely spiced base for tender, cheesy cornmeal biscuits.
Our Skillet Taco Cobbler recipe first appeared on RecipeGirl where I’m a contributor and occasionally post delicious recipes!
I’m a pushover when it comes to cobblers. Just the thought of something “cobbled” together gets my creative juices flowing. Sweet, savory or somewhere in between, cobblers are the answer for me when I need a one pan dish that covers all the bases.
This recipe makes a very good base “taco” meat that can be used for many delicious dishes. Think nachos, burritos, quesadillas and salads. I highly recommend setting aside a cup or two of the taco meat to add to hot cheese dip or queso for your next party. The cheesy cornmeal biscuits couldn’t be easier to make and are absolutely perfect baked on top of the taco meat. The cornmeal biscuits are not at all soggy, and are the perfect compliment to this well spiced Mexican favorite. Add more cheese to the taco meat if you want, you can hardly do anything wrong with this recipe.
We love to top this Skillet Taco Cobbler with all the yummy extras. A good squeeze of fresh lime juice, diced avocado, fresh cherry or grape tomatoes, shredded lettuce, red onion and extra cheese are a few of our go-to add-ins. Your family will ask for this easy weeknight meal, again and again!
Thanks for Pinning!
We’d love to connect with you on social media. If you try our recipe, please use the hashtag #savingroomfordessert on INSTAGRAM for a chance to be featured! And be sure to FOLLOW Saving Room for Dessert on FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM| PINTEREST | TWITTER for all the latest recipes and updates.
Skillet Taco Cobbler
Ingredients
For the meat:
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon granulated garlic or garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Sriracha dry seasoning optional
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 medium onion diced
- 1 ½ cups frozen corn
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (14.5 oz) can fire roasted diced tomatoes, do not drain
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
For the cornmeal biscuits:
- ¾ cup cornmeal
- ½ cup unbleached all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 tablespoon packed light brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon dry Sriracha seasoning optional
- 4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cubed
- ⅔ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese divided
- ⅔ cup buttermilk well shaken
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450°F.
- Combine the all the spices together in a small bowl (chili powder through Sriracha). Set aside.
- In a large ovenproof skillet, cook and crumble the ground beef until almost done. Drain off most of the fat leaving about 3 tablespoons. Add the diced onion and all the seasonings. Cook the mixture over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently. Combine the cornstarch with 1 cup of water, stirring until well blended. Pour the water mixture over the ground beef, and add the tomato paste. Bring to a simmer.
- Fold in the corn, black beans and fire roasted tomatoes. Turn the heat to low and keep the taco meat warm while preparing the biscuits.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, brown sugar, salt and Sriracha if using. Add the butter and work it into the cornmeal mixture using your fingers, until crumbly. Using a spatula, gently fold in the buttermilk and ½ cup of the cheese until combined. Using an ice cream scoop, drop 12 mounds of the cornmeal dough on top of the taco meat, spacing them about an inch apart. Place the skillet on a large rimmed baking sheet (in case it bubbles over) and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the filling is bubbling and the biscuits are golden brown. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with the remaining cheddar cheese. Allow the cobbler to rest 5 minutes before serving.
- Serve in a bowl with your favorite taco toppings such as: shredded lettuce, cheese, queso dip, chopped red onion, fresh diced tomatoes, guacamole or avocado, cilantro, salsa, sour cream and bottled hot sauce.
Recipe Notes
- This is not a soupy or saucy filling. It is drier than a bowl of chili. You can skip the cornmeal biscuits and use the beef, bean and corn mixture for tacos, burritos or salads. For a more saucy taco filling, add more tomato paste or a can of tomato sauce if desired.
Nutrition
Savory cobblers aren’t a new thing here at SRFD, in fact, some of our favorite recipes were developed out of our love for cobbling together delicious ingredients. Check out our Savory Winter Vegetable Cobbler layered with loads of vegetables and herbed biscuits, a seriously outstanding dish! In the summer when we’re overrun with garden tomatoes, I always make this crazy delicious Tomato Cobbler. And finally, we’ve even cobbled up a Chicken Pot Pie with Herb Biscuits – a must try pure comfort food recipe for sure!
For more taco-inspired recipes, check out this quick and easy Taco Soup from Barefeet in the Kitchen, and, you can’t go wrong with this easy and delicious Taco Pasta Salad from Wine & Glue. Don’t miss this One Pot Taco Casserole from Crazy for Crust – it’s perfect for a delicious weeknight meal!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Tricia
Don
The ingredients reference “1 (14.5 oz) can fire roasted diced tomatoes, do not drain”; however, I do not see any reference in the directions as to when they should be added.
Tricia Buice
Thanks for catching that Don – I corrected the recipe to include adding the tomatoes with the black beans. Thanks for the heads up and sorry!
Liz
This is perfect when I’m craving fabulous, hearty comfort food. Plus the hubby would not complain one bit 🙂
Tricia Buice
Thanks Liz – it is perfect comfort food for sure!
Susan
Those cheese-covered biscuits look amazing, Tricia! We love Mexican dishes and this one is calling our names 🙂
Tricia Buice
Thanks Susan – it called to me too – and I answered haha
Karen (Back Road Journal)
Spicy Mexican flavors topped with cornmeal biscuits…yum!
Tricia Buice
It really works Karen – thank you!
Monica
This is such a fun change and looks so delicious! And I love when a recipe is a twofer because I can see all the uses for this filling. I recently made curry puffs and empanadas and I would go back and remake the beef curry filling and the picadillo that went into them and have them in different ways. This is the same. You make me want to have Mexican for dinner. And thanks for sharing such a different cobbler than what we usually see!
Tricia Buice
Thank you so much Monica! We do tend to enjoy the same kind of recipes. Hope you get the opportunity to give it a try and thanks again.
cheri
Gorgeous cobbler Tricia, you sure know how to make the best. Love one-pan meals!
Tricia Buice
Thanks Cheri!
John/Kitchen Riffs
I LOVE savory cobblers! I actually make something similar, although a different flavor profile. This looks terrific — I’ve been wanting to do a Mexican-inspired cobbler, and this looks perfect. Thanks!
Tricia Buice
Thank you John! Enjoy 🙂
Robyn
MMmmm, love all these flavors and this unique take on a fabulous Mexican dish, Tricia. I’ll be making this for my teenage nephews when they come over next and I’ll score big aunty points, haha!
Gorgeous photos! Sharing 🙂
Tricia Buice
Thanks Robyn – hope they love it too – but what’s not to love about Mexican foods 🙂
Abbe@This is How I Cook
There is definitely something about biscuits on top of food. Especially Mexican food. This is a family pleaser!
Tricia Buice
YES Abbe – you nailed it – biscuits with everything!
Pam
Way to go, Tricia! Great way with your cobbler! I’ve never made a savory cobbler but have printed your recipe and will be making it soon! Yum!!! Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful rest of the week!
Tricia Buice
Thanks Pam!
Larry
Looks really good Tricia. It never occurred to me that a cobbler could be a savory dish but thanks to you, now I know.
Tricia Buice
I love the savory cobblers Larry – hope you’ll give one a try soon 🙂
Gerlinde
This is the perfect dish for my husband and myself. I love the combo!
Tricia Buice
Thanks Gerlinde – it’s so versatile and easy – great for anytime!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
I have been craving Mexican the last few days and this one is such a perfect way to satisfy that craving! Delicious and so pretty 🙂
Tricia Buice
Thank you Jennifer!
Chris Scheuer
Hola! What a fun, delicious and creative idea Tricia! I love it for a family get together! Pinning and sharing!
Tricia Buice
Thank you Chris!!
Angie@Angie's Recipes
Pass the spoon over, Tricia! That cornmeal biscuits look really GOOD!
Tricia Buice
Thanks Angie – we love them on top of this casserole. Have a terrific week!