Print
clockclock iconcutlerycutlery iconflagflag iconfolderfolder iconinstagraminstagram iconpinterestpinterest iconfacebookfacebook iconprintprint iconsquaressquares iconheartheart iconheart solidheart solid icon

Crispy Loaded Beef Tacos Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.1 from 7 reviews

These crispy and loaded tacos are a quick and delicious meal perfect for any day of the week. Ground beef is seasoned and cooked to perfection, then loaded into crunchy taco shells topped with melted cheese and fresh toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, and cilantro. Serve with sour cream, guacamole, and jalapeño slices for a flavorful Mexican-inspired feast.

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

Beef Filling

  • 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
  • 1 small onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade mix)
  • ⅔ cup tomato sauce or salsa
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Taco Assembly

  • 8 hard taco shells
  • 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend)

Toppings

  • 1 cup shredded lettuce
  • ½ cup diced tomatoes
  • ¼ cup diced red onion
  • 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro (optional)
  • Sour cream (optional)
  • Guacamole (optional)
  • Jalapeño slices (optional)
  • Hot sauce (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the hard taco shells upright in a baking dish, preparing them for filling and baking.
  2. Cook Beef Mixture: Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion, cooking until the beef is browned and the onions are softened. Drain off any excess fat. Stir in the minced garlic and taco seasoning, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the tomato sauce or salsa, and reduce heat to a simmer. Let it cook for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  3. Assemble Tacos: Spoon the seasoned beef mixture evenly into each prepared taco shell. Generously sprinkle shredded cheese over the beef in every shell.
  4. Bake: Place the baking dish with the filled taco shells in the preheated oven. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the taco shells turn crisp and golden brown.
  5. Add Fresh Toppings: Remove the tacos from the oven and top each with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, red onion, and chopped cilantro as desired. Serve warm accompanied by optional sour cream, guacamole, jalapeño slices, and hot sauce for added flavor and spice.

Notes

  • For homemade taco seasoning, mix chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper.
  • Drain excess fat from the cooked beef to keep the tacos from becoming greasy.
  • Feel free to swap ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
  • Customize the tacos with your favorite toppings such as avocado slices, radishes, or pickled jalapeños.
  • To make it gluten-free, ensure the taco shells and seasoning packets are certified gluten-free.
  • Author: Olivia
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Find it online: https://yourdailycook.com/crispy-loaded-beef-tacos-recipe/