Crispy Baked Ground Beef Tacos
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As the Super Bowl approaches, these crispy baked ground beef tacos are the ideal addition to your party spread, guaranteed to be a hit with your guests. This recipe yields 18 regular-sized tacos, but if you’re looking to offer a bite-sized appetizer, you can opt for street taco-sized tortillas, allowing you to make even more delicious servings.
I have a particular fondness for corn taco shells, and that’s exactly what this recipe calls for. Whether you choose white corn or yellow corn, both will work beautifully for these crispy baked ground beef tacos. The corn shells provide a satisfying crunch that perfectly complements the flavorful ground beef filling.
These tacos are easy to prepare and perfect for feeding a crowd, making them a fantastic choice for your Super Bowl festivities. Enjoy the combination of crispy shells, savory beef, and the convenience of a baked dish that’s sure to please everyone at your party!
Ingredients to make the Crispy Baked Ground Beef Tacos
- GROUND BEEF
- SALT
- BLACK PEPPER
- CHILI POWDER
- GARLIC POWDER
- SMOKED PAPRIKA
- CUMIN
- CAYENNE PEPPER, OPTIONAL
- TOMATO PASTE
- WATER
- SHREDDED CHEDDAR CHEESE AND MONTERREY JACK CHEESE BLEND
- CORN TORTILLAS
How To Make Crispy Baked Tacos
First is some ground beef. You will need 1 pound. I like to use leaner beef, just because that means less grease to drain off after you finish cooking it. Just brown it up in a large skillet.
Next up is the seasonings. No taco seasoning is used here. You add in your own spices to make a homemade taco seasoning, but it is just as simple.
Includes salt, pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cumin. To add a little kick, you can also include some cayenne pepper. Then, you also add a little tomato paste and water.
Now, you want to give all this little time to simmer and let the flavors develop. It also thickens a little as it cooks too. You only need to give it a couple of minutes, and the meat is ready.
To bake the tacos, you place about 6 corn tortillas on the baking sheet. If you use a smaller shell, just fit on the pan what you can. Put cheese on half the tortilla and some of the ground beef mixture on the other half.
Bake at 425 degrees for about 3 minutes. This will make that cheese nice and melty.
Then, you fold the cheese half over the ground beef half of each tortilla. Place back in the over to bake for another 5 minutes. That’s it, they are ready to enjoy.
You can add on toppings of shredded lettuce and chopped tomatoes. Or serve them with your favorite taco toppings like salsa, sour cream, and guacamole. Use them for dipping or spooning inside the tacos. This is a great way to serve a bunch of tacos at one time!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I prevent the tortilla from over-browning or burning during baking?
To prevent over-browning, you can flip the tacos over halfway through the 5 minutes of cooking.
What toppings work best for these baked beef tacos?
Common toppings include shredded lettuce and diced tomatoes. You can even use sliced olives, diced onions, cilantro, sour cream, guacamole, pico de gallo, and salsa. Customize your toppings to your preference, or use things to dip the tacos in.
Can I use different types of cheese in these ground beef tacos?
Yes, you can use your favorite cheese, such as Monterey Jack, Mexican blend, or cheddar cheese, based on your taste.
Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef?
Yes. You can use ground turkey or chicken instead of ground beef for a healthier option or specific dietary needs.
For more taco recipes, try:
Crispy Ground Beef Baked Tacos
Real Mom Kitchen
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp cumin
- â…› tsp cayenne pepper powder optional
- 2 Tbsp tomato paste
- 1 Tbsp water
- 3 cups shredded cheddar and Monterrey jack blend
- 18 corn tortillas about 6″ in diameter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
- In a skillet, over medium heat, add the ground beef to the pan and brown until fully cooked. Drain off any excess grease.
- Lower heat, add salt, black pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cumin, water, and tomato paste. Stir until evenly distributed throughout the meat. Allow to simmer together for about 2-3 minutes until thickened.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lay 6 corn taco shells on the baking sheet. Cover one half of the tortilla with shredded cheese. Cover the other half of each tortilla with 1/8 cup of taco meat.
- Place in a 425 degree oven for 3 minutes. Remove the tacos from the oven and fold the cheese half over the beef half. Press down lightly to ensure the tacos stay folded.
- Return the baking sheet to the oven to bake at 425 degrees for 5 minutes. Serve with desired toppings.
Nutrition
This recipe is adapted from Mad About Food.
