Cheesy Cauliflower Taco Skillet (Printer-Friendly)

Savory skillet dish with cheesy cauliflower base, seasoned taco filling, and melted cheese topping for a hearty low-carb dinner.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cauliflower Crust

01 - 1 medium head cauliflower (about 1.3 lbs), cut into florets
02 - 1 large egg
03 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
04 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
05 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
07 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

→ Taco Filling

08 - 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend or lean)
09 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
10 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
11 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
12 - 1 tablespoon chili powder
13 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
14 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
15 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
16 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
17 - 1/3 cup water

→ Toppings

18 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
19 - 1/4 cup sliced black olives, optional
20 - 1 medium tomato, diced
21 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
22 - 1/4 cup sour cream, optional

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Place cauliflower florets in a food processor and pulse until finely riced. Microwave for 5 minutes, then let cool slightly.
02 - Transfer cauliflower to a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out as much moisture as possible. In a large bowl, combine cauliflower, egg, mozzarella, Parmesan, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until a cohesive dough forms.
03 - Press the cauliflower mixture evenly into the bottom of a large oven-proof skillet (10–12 inches). Bake for 15 minutes, until golden and set.
04 - Meanwhile, heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until browned, approximately 5–6 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
05 - Add chopped onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute.
06 - Add water and simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.
07 - Remove cauliflower crust from oven. Spoon taco meat evenly over the crust. Top with shredded cheddar cheese and sliced black olives if using.
08 - Return skillet to oven and bake for 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
09 - Remove from oven and top with diced tomato and fresh cilantro. Serve with sour cream if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It's naturally keto-friendly and gluten-free, making it perfect for those with dietary restrictions
  • The cauliflower crust provides a delicious alternative to traditional taco shells or tortillas
  • One-skillet preparation means fewer dishes to wash
  • Ready in just 40 minutes for a quick weeknight dinner
  • Customizable with your favorite taco toppings
02 -
  • For meal prep, make the cauliflower crust ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to use
  • A cast-iron skillet works exceptionally well for this recipe, creating a perfectly crisp crust
  • If your cauliflower crust isn't browning as much as you'd like, you can briefly broil it before adding toppings
  • For extra flavor, add a sprinkle of taco seasoning to the cauliflower crust mixture
  • Let the skillet rest for 5 minutes before slicing to help portions hold together better
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