Skillet Huevos Rancheros is a vibrant, flavorful breakfast or brunch option that combines traditional Mexican ingredients into a one-pan wonder. The dish is known for its bold flavors, from crispy corn tortillas to zesty tomato sauce, hearty beans, and perfectly baked eggs. It’s easy to prepare, visually appealing, and can be customized to suit your preferences. Whether you’re looking for a filling breakfast or a delicious brunch, this dish delivers on both taste and convenience.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- One-pan wonder: Skillet Huevos Rancheros is incredibly easy to make and even easier to clean up, making it perfect for busy mornings or casual brunches.
- Bursting with bold flavors: The combination of cumin, smoked paprika, zesty tomato sauce, and creamy eggs will delight your taste buds.
- Versatile for any meal: While it’s a traditional breakfast dish, Huevos Rancheros is perfect for lunch or dinner as well.
- Highly customizable: You can add extra vegetables, protein, or your favorite toppings to create a meal that suits your tastes.
- Stunning presentation: Serve straight from the skillet for a rustic and visually appealing presentation that looks as good as it tastes.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Olive oil
- Onion, diced
- Garlic, minced
- Jalapeño, chopped (optional for heat)
- Canned diced tomatoes (or fresh tomatoes)
- Black beans or pinto beans (cooked or canned)
- Ground cumin
- Smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper
- Corn tortillas
- Eggs
- Crumbled queso fresco or feta (optional)
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Avocado, sliced
- Lime wedges
- Sour cream or crema (optional)
- Hot sauce (optional)
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Prepare the skillet: Heat olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add diced onions and cook for about 3 minutes until they soften. Then add minced garlic and chopped jalapeño (if using), cooking for an additional 30 seconds.
- Add the flavor base: Stir in diced tomatoes, beans, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Let the mixture simmer for about 5–7 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly.
- Prepare the tortillas: Gently press the corn tortillas into the tomato-bean mixture, ensuring they form a soft, flavorful base for the eggs.
- Add the eggs: Create small wells in the sauce and crack one egg into each well, making sure they’re spaced evenly.
- Bake to perfection: Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 8–12 minutes, or until the egg whites are set and the yolks are cooked to your liking.
- Finish with toppings: Once the eggs are done, remove the skillet from the oven and top the dish with crumbled cheese, avocado slices, fresh cilantro, and any other toppings you desire. Serve immediately with lime wedges.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 4
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
Variations
- Add meat: Enhance the dish by adding cooked chorizo, shredded chicken, or ground beef to the sauce.
- Go green: Swap the tomato sauce for a tangy green tomatillo salsa for a different flavor profile.
- Cheese it up: If you prefer a stronger cheese flavor, try shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack instead of queso fresco.
- Tortilla swap: For a different texture, use flour tortillas or tortilla chips to make nacho-style Huevos Rancheros.
- Vegan version: Omit eggs and cheese, and instead sauté additional veggies like peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms for a plant-based twist.
Storage/Reheating
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Reheating: Reheat the dish in the oven at 350°F until warmed through. For quicker reheating, microwave individual portions. Note that eggs may overcook when reheated, so it’s best enjoyed fresh.
Skillet Huevos Rancheros
Skillet Huevos Rancheros is a flavorful Mexican-inspired breakfast made with crispy tortillas, savory beans, zesty tomato sauce, and perfectly baked eggs. Topped with fresh avocado, cilantro, and optional cheese, it’s a one-pan wonder that will brighten your morning!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small jalapeño, chopped (optional for heat)
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 can black beans or pinto beans, cooked or canned
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- to taste salt and pepper
- 4 small corn tortillas
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 cup crumbled queso fresco or feta (optional)
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 small avocado, sliced
- to taste lime wedges
- to taste sour cream or crema (optional)
- to taste hot sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Heat olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and chopped jalapeño (if using) and cook for another 30 seconds.
- Stir in diced tomatoes, beans, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Let simmer for 5–7 minutes, until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Gently press corn tortillas into the tomato-bean mixture, ensuring they form a flavorful base for the eggs.
- Make small wells in the sauce and crack one egg into each well.
- Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 8–12 minutes, or until the egg whites are set and the yolks are done to your liking.
- Remove from the oven and top with crumbled cheese, avocado slices, cilantro, and any other desired toppings. Serve immediately with lime wedges.
Nutrition
Serving: 1peopleCalories: 330kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 12gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 5gSodium: 420mgFiber: 8gSugar: 6g
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I make this ahead of time? You can prepare the sauce and beans in advance. When ready to serve, simply assemble the dish and bake with fresh eggs.
- Are canned beans okay? Yes! Canned black or pinto beans work perfectly. Just rinse and drain before adding them to the skillet.
- Can I use a regular skillet? A cast iron or oven-safe skillet is ideal for this recipe, but if you don’t have one, simply transfer the dish to a baking dish after cooking the sauce.
- How spicy is this dish? The spice level is moderate, but you can adjust the heat by adding more or fewer jalapeños, chili powder, or hot sauce, depending on your preference.
- Can I use store-bought salsa? Yes, you can substitute a good-quality store-bought salsa for the tomato and spice mixture to save time.
- What tortillas work best? Corn tortillas are traditional, but you can also use flour tortillas or tortilla chips for added texture.
- Can I add more vegetables? Absolutely! You can add spinach, zucchini, bell peppers, or other vegetables to bulk up the dish and increase the nutritional value.
- How do I keep eggs from overcooking? Check the eggs after about 8 minutes of baking. Remove them from the oven as soon as the whites are set to avoid overcooking.
- Can I use egg whites only? Yes, you can substitute whole eggs with just egg whites if you prefer a lighter version of this dish.
- Is this gluten-free? Yes, this dish is gluten-free as long as you use corn tortillas and ensure that all other ingredients are gluten-free.
Conclusion
Skillet Huevos Rancheros is a perfect blend of rich Mexican flavors, offering a hearty and satisfying meal that works wonderfully for breakfast, brunch, or even dinner. With its one-pan cooking method and endless customization options, this dish is a crowd-pleaser that everyone will love. The savory combination of crispy tortillas, flavorful beans, and perfectly baked eggs topped with fresh ingredients creates a dish that’s not only delicious but also a feast for the eyes. Try this recipe, and you’ll be hooked from the very first bite!
