Ramen Taco Skillet is an easy one-pan dinner. Made with ground beef, taco seasoning, ramen noodles, and plenty of cheese. Everything cooks together in the same pan. Even the ramen — which soaks up the seasoned broth and turns into a cheesy, taco-style noodle skillet. Therefore, it’s quick, affordable, kid-friendly. Basically, this recipe is perfect for busy nights when you want something comforting without a lot of clean-up.

If you love creative shortcut dinners like Ramen Noodle Lasagna Bake, this taco version is going to be a new favorite.”

What surprised me most is how well the ramen noodles absorbed the taco flavors, and soften perfectly in the broth and Rotel. Turning into cozy, saucy noodles that pair so well with the beef and melted cheese. This is one of those “shortcut dinners” that tastes better than it has any right to. My family already asked me to make Ramen Taco Skillet again. If you love fast, flavorful meals, this one is definitely worth adding to your weekly rotation.

ground beef, corn, Rotel, taco seasoning

Ramen Taco Skillet

This Ramen Taco Skillet is a quick, budget-friendly mashup that turns simple pantry ingredients into a cheesy, taco-packed dinner everyone loves. Tender ramen noodles simmer in seasoned beef, tomatoes, corn, and broth, soaking up all that taco flavor. It’s fast, filling, and the kind of easy comfort meal that makes you go, wait… why does this work so well?

Print Recipe

Total Time 30

Servings: 4

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef, browned and drained
4 pckg ramen noodles, any flavor you won't need the seasoning packets
1 packet taco seasoning
1 jar/can salsa/Rotel (or diced tomatoes with green chilies) I used Rotel
1 can corn, drained
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, for topping
2 cups beef broth

Method

Cook the beef: In a large skillet, brown the ground beef with diced onion until fully cooked. Drain if needed.
Add flavor: Stir in the taco seasoning, salsa, drained corn.
Add liquids + ramen: Pour in the 2 cups beef broth and Rotel. Add the 4 ramen noodle bricks (which have been broken into pieces), pressing them slightly into the liquid. Cover and simmer until the noodles soften, stirring often.
Add: Cheddar cheese , once the ramen has cooked. replace the lid to melt the cheese.
Serve: Scoop into bowls and enjoy your cheesy taco-ramen mash-up!
You can add sour cream, chopped green onion, or jalapeño on top if you want.
Great next-day leftovers — even better reheated!

Honest Opinion

This Ramen Taco Skillet Bake turned out way better than I expected. The ramen noodles soften just enough to soak up all the taco flavor, and the beef broth makes everything creamy without getting soupy. The cheesy top layer gives it that cozy casserole feel, and it’s one of those dinners that tastes like comfort and uses nothing fancy. It’s fast, filling, kid-approved, and surprisingly addictive. The kind of meal you make when you don’t want to fuss — and everyone ends up loving it anyway.

Fork Rating

4.9 out of 5 🍴
A nearly perfect weeknight dinner — budget-friendly, flavorful, and the kind of quirky combo that just works.

Fork Fact

Ramen was originally created as an inexpensive, quick-cooking noodle during food shortages — which makes it the perfect ingredient for creative pantry mashups like this taco skillet. It’s designed to absorb flavors, which is why it works so well here.

If you love quick weeknight meals that use simple pantry ingredients, this Ramen Taco Skillet Bake will definitely earn a spot in your rotation. It’s cozy, cheesy, and packed with taco flavor, and the ramen noodles make it fun and unexpected. Whether you’re feeding kids, stretching your groceries, or just trying a new “weird but works” dinner, this skillet hits the spot. If you enjoyed this one, check out my Tater Tot Pizza Crust next for more creative comfort food.