Tired of hearing “tacos again?” when you suggest Mexican for dinner? No need to stick with the same old tortilla routine. This list is packed with Mexican-inspired dinners that bring all the flavor you love—without another taco in sight. There’s loaded nachos, cheesy casseroles, bold soups, hearty stuffed peppers and more. Each dish gives you that hit of Mexican flair, from zesty lime and chiles to perfectly spiced meats, but without a single folded shell.
Mexican Ground Beef Casserole
Cheesy ground beef casserole with tomatoes, peppers, and black beans, using cauliflower rice to keep things lighter. A 40-minute, big-flavor option perfect for those “not another taco” nights.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Ground Beef Casserole
Mexican Vegetable Soup
Hearty, quick, and loaded with quinoa for an extra boost, this veggie soup is done in 20 minutes. Great when you want something that says “Mexican night” without shelling a taco.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Vegetable Soup
Sheet Pan Steak & Shrimp Fajitas
A surf-and-turf dinner that keeps it simple. Just season, bake, and you’ve got steak and shrimp fajitas on the table in 20 minutes. Great for a no-taco weeknight win.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Steak & Shrimp Fajitas
Carne Asada Nachos
Grilled carne asada on nachos loaded with pico de gallo, melted cheese, guacamole, and jalapeños. You’ll want to make this crowd-pleaser even if it’s just for yourself.
Get the Recipe: Carne Asada Nachos
Cheesy Chicken Stuffed Poblano Peppers
Chicken-stuffed poblanos filled with cheese, black beans, and Mexican spices—great comfort food that skips the usual taco routine.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Chicken Stuffed Poblano Peppers
Slow Cooker Shredded Mexican Beef Bowls
Toss shredded beef in the slow cooker, pair it with rice, beans, plantains, and peppers, and you’re set for the week. Perfect when you’re craving those Mexican flavors without the taco shells.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Shredded Mexican Beef Bowls
Sopa de Lima
A classic lime soup from the Yucatán, light yet packed with flavor. A great, authentic Mexican-inspired dish that’s not even close to a taco.
Get the Recipe: Sopa de Lima
Spicy Shrimp Tostadas
Spicy shrimp and jalapeño avocado sauce on a crunchy tostada. Close to tacos, but fresher and perfect when you want a switch-up.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Shrimp Tostadas
Mexican Ground Beef Skillet
All the flavors of a taco in a one-pan skillet dinner. Ground beef and taco seasoning come together in 30 minutes for an easy, taco-free dinner.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Ground Beef Skillet
Red Chicken Pozole
A classic pozole with chicken, hominy, and bold chiles topped with crunchy veggies. Great for a casual night or even when you’re impressing guests.
Get the Recipe: Red Chicken Pozole
Albondigas Soup
Traditional Mexican meatball soup loaded with veggies. A hearty choice that’s perfect for winter but light enough to keep you going strong.
Get the Recipe: Albondigas Soup
Cream Cheese Chicken Enchiladas
Creamy, cheesy, and ready for weeknight dinners. These chicken enchiladas are a family favorite and are even better as leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Cream Cheese Chicken Enchiladas
Sopa de Fideo (Mexican Noodle Soup)
Toasted noodles in a tomato-based broth make this soup budget-friendly and crowd-pleasing. Comforting and so easy to make without a single taco shell in sight.
Get the Recipe: Sopa de Fideo (Mexican Noodle Soup)
Chicken Taco Casserole
Rotisserie chicken meets taco flavors in a one-dish casserole that’s stovetop-free and family-approved. A simple, flavorful dinner that skips the taco shells.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Taco Casserole
Mexican Tortilla Casserole
Layered with tortillas, ground turkey, and melty cheese, this casserole is a great dinner for family nights when you want those Mexican flavors minus the tacos.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Tortilla Casserole
Chipotle Chicken Quesadillas
Quesadillas made extra special with chipotle lime sauce, making them just spicy enough for everyone at the table. Ready in 40 minutes and perfect for leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Chipotle Chicken Quesadillas
Stuffed Peppers
These stuffed peppers are packed with rice, beans, and cheese. They’re hearty enough for a full meal and a great meat-free alternative to the usual Mexican lineup.
Get the Recipe: Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers
Ground Beef Burrito Skillet
All the flavors of a burrito in a skillet, done in 30 minutes. This one-pan dinner keeps things simple while bringing all the right Mexican vibes, minus the tortillas.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Burrito Skillet
Instant Pot Carne Guisada
Tender, spiced beef cooked in the Instant Pot. A quick, delicious meal that’s perfect for when you want Mexican-inspired flavors with zero fuss.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Carne Guisada
Instant Pot Pork Chile Verde
A shortcut recipe for flavorful pork chile verde made in the Instant Pot. Great for an easy night when you’re craving something Mexican without pulling out the taco shells.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Pork Chile Verde
The Best Chimichangas
Baked, not fried, these chimichangas are filled with pinto beans, rice, and veggies, topped with creamy green chili sauce. Perfect for when you want Mexican, no meat required.
Get the Recipe: The Best Chimichangas
Steak Picado with Pickled Onions
Lightly spiced beef sautéed in a skillet and topped with tangy pickled onions. This hearty dish is packed with flavor and a great change from your usual Mexican dinner ideas.
Get the Recipe: Steak Picado with Pickled Onions
Blackstone Fajitas
Chicken fajitas cooked on a griddle for that perfect seared taste. A fun family dinner or outdoor cooking choice that’s easy, flavorful, and taco-free.
Get the Recipe: Blackstone Fajitas
Carnitas Burrito Bowls
Just like your favorite burrito, but in bowl form. Perfect for meal prepping or serving up a crowd-pleasing dinner any night of the week without the tortillas.
Get the Recipe: Carnitas Burrito Bowls
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
