I secretly wish it was Taco Tuesday every night, and once you taste these beef baked tacos, you'll understand why. They're ready in just 30 minutes, with crispy shells, seasoned ground beef, and melted cheese in every bite.
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Why You'll Love These Oven Baked Tacos
Is there anything better than taco night? Growing up, it meant classic ground beef tacos with a packet of seasoning, topped with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and sour cream. Once I got married, my husband and I branched out a bit, and slow cooker taco meat became a mainstay in our fiesta-loving home.
But we're always evolving, so I decided to mix things up with baked tacos instead. All that beefy taco goodness gets loaded into a crispy shell, baked hot with refried beans and perfectly melted cheese on top. I kicked the filling up a notch by adding finely diced onions and bell peppers, and even my picky husband didn't mind them blended in. This dish got rave reviews from the whole family, and it's easy to see why. Here's why these minced beef tacos are a must-try:
- Loaded with flavor
- Family-friendly
- Great weeknight dinner
- Fully customizable
Ingredient Information and Substitutions
- Ground beef- Forms the base of the taco filling. Ground turkey or chicken work well as a leaner substitute.
- Hard taco shells- Hold the filling and bake up extra crispy in the oven- I prefer the ones with flat bottoms to help them stand up easily but regular ones work fine if you shingle them in the pan.
- Refried beans- Adds a creamy layer. Mashed or homemade refried black beans work as a substitute.
- Onions- Give savory depth to the filling. Scallions work as a milder substitute.
- Bell peppers- Add a bit of sweetness and texture to the filling. Poblano peppers work if you want a bit more heat.
- Cooking spray- Кeeps the pan from sticking while sautéing. A small amount of olive oil works too.
- Taco seasoning packet- Adds classic taco flavor to the beef. Homemade taco seasoning works as well.
- Shredded Colby Jack cheese- Melts on top for a gooey, cheesy finish. Cheddar or a Mexican cheese blend works as a substitute.
- Toppings- Lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, shredded cheese, cilantro, lime, avocado, or rice- whatever you like so everyone can customize their tacos.
How To Make Beef Crispy Tacos
Step 1- Preheat the oven.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Step 2- Sauté the vegetables.
Spray a sauté pan with cooking spray, then add the onions and peppers. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until softened.
Step 3- Cook the beef.
Add the ground beef to the pan and break it up with a wooden spoon. Sauté until browned, about 3 to 4 minutes, stirring often. Drain any excess oil.
Step 4- Season the beef.
Return the pan to the heat, add the taco seasoning and water, and cook according to the packet directions.
Step 5- Fill the shells.
Spread about 2 tablespoons of refried beans across the bottom of each taco shell, then place the shells in a 9x13-inch baking pan.
Step 6- Add the meat and cheese.
Divide the seasoned beef between the shells, then top with shredded cheese.
Step 7- Bake and serve.
Bake for 12 to 15 minutes and serve immediately with toppings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, a small, thin rubber spatula makes spreading the beans much easier than a regular spoon, so it's worth using if you have one on hand.
I've never had to do this but I've heard warming the shells slightly in the oven for a minute or two before filling can help them hold up better and crack less. For me, the key is to be extremely gentle as you spread the refried beans.
These are best served right away, since the shells soften over time. You can, however, cook the filling in advance and refrigerate until you're ready to reheat it and bake.
Tips For Making The Best Ground Beef Tacos Recipe
- Use stand-up hard shells rather than the ones that need propping up, since they're much easier to fill and bake evenly.
- Dice the onions and peppers finely if you want them to blend seamlessly into the filling.
- Drain the excess oil from the beef before adding the seasoning, so the filling doesn't turn greasy.
- Serve immediately after baking for the crispiest shells, since they soften the longer they sit.
- Set out all your toppings so everyone can build their own tacos exactly how they like them.
- Ingredients to prep ahead- Dice the onions and peppers up to a day in advance and store in the fridge.
- Leftovers and storage- Store the taco filling separately from the toppings, then reheat in the oven at 350 degrees F until hot.
What To Serve With Mince Beef Tacos
I love pairing these with a few easy sides and toppings to round out the meal. Here are some of my favorite pairings:
- Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
- Avocado Corn and Black Bean Salad
- Basic Guacamole Recipe
- Shishito Peppers Recipe
Other Taco-Inspired Recipes To Try
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5 star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below ⬇️ and/or a review in the comment section further down. Check out my Amazon Store for all my favorite tools, including those used in this recipe. And follow @thelifejolie on Instagram and TikTok!
Beef Baked Tacos
Equipment
Ingredients
- Cooking spray
- ¾ cup finely diced onions
- ¾ cup finely diced bell peppers
- 1 pound ground beef 90/10
- 1 taco seasoning packet + the water that the packet requires
- 10 stand-up hard taco shells
- 8 ounces refried beans ½ can
- 2 cups shredded colby jack cheese
- thet oppings of your choice lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, etc.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Spray a sauté pan with cooking spray and add the onions and peppers to the pan.
- Saute stirring frequently for 3-4 minutes or until they've softened.
- Add the ground beef to the pan and use a wooden spoon to break it up.
- Sauté the beef until brown stirring often, about 3-4 minutes. Once browned drain the extra oil from the pan.
- Return the pan to the heat, add the taco seasoning to the pan with the water and cook as per the packet directions.
- While this cooks, spread two Tablespoons of refried beans across the bottom of each taco shell (or more if you'd prefer).
- Place the shells into a 9" x 13" baking pan.
- Divide the meat between the shells.
- Top the tacos with the shredded cheese
- Bake for 12-15 minutes and serve immediately with your favorite toppings.
Video
Notes
- Use stand-up hard shells rather than the ones that need propping up, since they're much easier to fill and bake evenly.
- Dice the onions and peppers finely if you want them to blend seamlessly into the filling.
- Drain the excess oil from the beef before adding the seasoning, so the filling doesn't turn greasy.
- Serve immediately after baking for the crispiest shells, since they soften the longer they sit.
- Set out all your toppings so everyone can build their own tacos exactly how they like them.
- Ingredients to prep ahead- Dice the onions and peppers up to a day in advance and store in the fridge.
- Leftovers and storage- Store the taco filling separately from the toppings, then reheat in the oven at 350 degrees F until hot.
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