Description
Make crispy baked ground beef tacos! This simple recipe bakes crunchy shells with savory beef, perfect for a weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef (80/20 recommended)
- 12 hard taco shells
- 1.5 cups shredded Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese blend
- Flavor Boosters:
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 packet (1 oz/28g) taco seasoning
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 0.5 cup water or beef broth
- Garnish & Toppings:
- 2 cups shredded lettuce
- 1 large tomato, diced
- 0.5 cup sour cream
- 0.5 cup salsa (your preferred heat level)
- Optional Extras:
- Sliced avocado
- Chopped fresh cilantro
- Pickled jalapeños
Instructions
- Brown the Beef & Aromatics:: Okay, first things first, grab your biggest skillet and get it hot over medium-high heat. Toss in your ground beef and break it up with a spoon. You want it to brown nicely, getting those little crispy bits – that’s flavor, hon! Once it’s mostly browned, drain any excess fat (I usually just tilt the pan and use a spoon to scoop it out). Then, add your diced onion and minced garlic. Let them cook together until the onion softens and becomes translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Oh, the smell at this point? Amazing, truly the start of something good. Don’t rush this step, it’s where the flavor foundation builds!
- Season the Taco Meat:: Now, sprinkle in your taco seasoning and that little dollop of tomato paste. Stir it all really well, making sure every bit of beef and onion is coated. Let it cook for another minute or two, stirring constantly, to toast the spices a bit – this really wakes up their flavor. Then, pour in about half a cup of water or beef broth. Bring it to a simmer and let it cook down for 5-10 minutes, or until the liquid has mostly evaporated and the mixture is nice and saucy, not watery. This is where I always taste it and adjust, maybe a pinch more salt if it needs it, or a little more seasoning. Don’t be afraid to trust your taste buds!
- Prep the Taco Shells for Baking:: While your meat is simmering, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grab a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper for easy cleanup – seriously, a lifesaver! Now, here’s the trick for these Crispy Baked Ground Beef Tacos: stand your hard taco shells upright on the baking sheet. I usually lean them against each other or use a taco rack if I’m feeling fancy. This keeps them from flopping over and makes filling them so much easier. I’ve tried just laying them flat, and that was a disaster, shells just broke everywhere!
- Fill the Tacos:: Time for the fun part! Spoon your seasoned ground beef mixture evenly into each taco shell. Don’t overfill them just yet, because we still need room for cheese! I usually go about two-thirds full. The warmth of the meat will start to soften the shells just enough to make them a bit more pliable, which helps prevent breakage during the next step. I once got a little too ambitious and stuffed them to the brim, and a few shells cracked in the oven. Learned that lesson the hard way, oops!
- Add Cheese and Bake:: Once all your shells are filled with beef, sprinkle a generous amount of shredded cheese over the top of the meat in each taco. Now, carefully transfer the baking sheet to your preheated oven. Bake for about 8-10 minutes. You’re looking for the shells to get extra crispy and the cheese to be gloriously melted and bubbly. Oh, the smell of that toasting cheese and beef is just heavenly! Keep an eye on them, because ovens can be quirky, and you don’t want the shells to burn.
- Garnish and Serve Your Crispy Baked Ground Beef Tacos:: Carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven. The tacos will be hot, so use tongs or a spatula to transfer them to a serving platter. Now for the best part: load them up! Pile on your shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, a dollop of sour cream, and a spoonful of your favorite salsa. I love setting out all the toppings so everyone can customize their own. These Crispy Baked Ground Beef Tacos are best served immediately when they’re piping hot and the shells are at their absolute crispest. Enjoy that crunch!