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Baked Crispy Beef Tacos Recipe

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4.3 from 35 reviews

These Baked Crispy Beef Tacos are a delicious and easy-to-make Mexican-inspired dish featuring seasoned ground beef baked inside crispy corn tortillas with melted Mexican cheese. Perfect for a family dinner or casual meal, these tacos combine savory flavors and a satisfying crunch without deep frying.

Ingredients

Beef Filling

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • ½ white onion, diced
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 4.5 ounce can diced green chiles
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon oregano
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup cilantro, diced
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice

Assembly

  • 1 ½ cups shredded Mexican cheese, divided
  • 12 corn tortillas

Instructions

  1. Prepare the beef filling: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with diced onion and minced garlic until the meat is browned and the onions are softened. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
  2. Add seasonings and chiles: Stir in the tomato paste, diced green chiles, chili powder, paprika, oregano, cumin, and salt. Cook for an additional 2–3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
  3. Add cilantro and lime juice: Remove the skillet from heat and mix in the diced cilantro and lime juice to brighten the flavor of the beef mixture.
  4. Preheat oven and prepare tortillas: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). To make the tortillas pliable and easy to fold, warm them slightly in a dry skillet or microwave for about 20 seconds.
  5. Assemble the tacos: On each tortilla, spoon a generous amount of the beef filling. Sprinkle with some of the shredded Mexican cheese. Fold or shape the tortillas into taco shells and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top of the tacos for extra cheesiness.
  6. Bake the tacos: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10–12 minutes or until the tortillas are crisp and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  7. Serve: Remove the tacos from the oven and let cool slightly before serving. Optionally, garnish with extra cilantro, salsa, or sour cream.

Notes

  • Warming the tortillas before assembling prevents cracking when folding them.
  • Use a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
  • For a spicier kick, add chopped jalapeños or hot sauce to the beef mixture.
  • Leftover taco filling can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • To make this recipe gluten-free, ensure corn tortillas are certified gluten-free.