Description
These Baked Beef Tacos are a flavorful and easy-to-make meal perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or casual gathering. Ground beef is seasoned with a blend of smoky and spicy spices, cooked to perfection on the stovetop, then loaded into crunchy hard taco shells, topped with melted cheese, and baked until bubbly. Customize with your favorite toppings like salsa, sour cream, and avocado for a deliciously satisfying taco experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 10 hard taco shells
- 1 cup shredded cheese (e.g. Tex-Mex blend or cheddar)
Toppings (Optional)
- Salsa (to taste)
- Sour cream (to taste)
- Avocado (to taste)
- Red onions (to taste)
- Lettuce (to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and place the rack in the middle position to ensure even baking of the tacos.
- Cook Beef: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add the ground beef. Break it apart with a spoon. Once it starts to brown, add garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cumin, and chili powder. Stir occasionally and cook for 8-10 minutes until beef is fully cooked.
- Drain Excess Fat & Season: Spoon out any excess fat released during cooking. Taste the beef mixture and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or more smoked paprika if desired.
- Fill Taco Shells: Arrange the hard taco shells in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Evenly distribute the cooked beef mixture into each taco shell.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle shredded cheese over the beef-filled taco shells evenly.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and is bubbly.
- Serve & Top: Remove from oven and add desired toppings such as salsa, sour cream, avocado, red onions, and lettuce. Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious baked beef tacos!
Notes
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the beef mixture while cooking.
- Substitute hard taco shells with soft tortillas if preferred; adjust baking time accordingly or skip baking.
- Use a lean ground beef option (90% lean or higher) to reduce excess fat.
- Optional toppings can be customized to your preference to enhance flavors and texture.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
