Ground Beef Baked Tacos
These Ground Beef Baked Tacos deliver a sharp, cheesy crunch with a savory beef filling, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
For the Filling
- 1 lb ground beef Use 90/10 for less fat
- 1 tsp salt Adjust to taste
- 1/2 tsp black pepper Adjust to taste
- 2 tsp chili powder Keep for classic taco flavor
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika Optional, for depth
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper powder Optional, for heat
For the Binder
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp water
For Assembly
- 3 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
- 12 pieces street taco size corn tortillas Works best for this recipe
Instructions
Preparation
- In a small bowl, combine salt, black pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cumin, and cayenne pepper. Stir until even.
- In another bowl, stir together tomato paste and water until smooth.
Cooking
- Heat a frying pan over medium heat. Add ground beef and brown, breaking up with a spatula, for about 5 minutes until no pink remains.
- Reduce heat to medium-low. Add the spice mixture and tomato paste mixture to the beef. Stir well and cook just until heated through, about 1-2 minutes.
Baking
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place six corn tortillas flat on the sheet. Sprinkle about 1/2 cup cheese over each tortilla, then divide the meat evenly over the cheese.
- Bake for 3 minutes until the cheese begins to melt. Fold each tortilla in half over the filling, then bake for another 5 minutes until cheese is fully melted and shells are lightly crisp.
- Let tacos cool slightly before serving.
- Repeat the assembly and baking with the second batch of tortillas.
Notes
Serve with lime wedges and salsa. These tacos can be customized with various toppings.