10 to 12 crispy taco shells (“stand and stuff) OR soft tortillas of choice (Note 1)BEEF TACOS:1 tbsp oil2 garlic cloves , minced1 onion , finely chopped500 g / 1 lb beef , ground / mince (Note 2)2 tbsp tomato paste1/4 cup / 65ml waterHOMEMADE TACO SEASONING:1 tsp EACH garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano2 tsp EACH cumin powder, paprika1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust spiciness to taste, can skip)1 tsp salt1/4 tsp black pepperTOPPINGS:Shredded cheese (Note 3)Shredded iceberg lettuce2 tomatoes , chopped1/2 red or white onion , choppedSour creamTaco sauce (optional)Other: coriander/cilantro , jalapeño, hot sauce / chilli sauce, pickled chillies, salsa sauce, pico de galloInstructionsPreheat oven to 180C/350F.BEEF FILLING:Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add garlic and onion – cook 2 minutes until golden.Add beef and cook for 2 minutes, breaking it up as you go, until it changes from red to light brown.Add Taco Seasonings and cook for 2 minutes until beef is cooked through.Add tomato paste and water. Cook for 1 minute or until water is evaporated and you’re left with a juicy not not watery beef filling.BAKE (OPTIONAL):Place taco shells in a baking pan (I can fit 10 in). Fill with taco meat, top with cheese.Bake 5 to 7 minutes until cheese is melted by which time the shells with be crispy.SERVE:Serve tacos hot, straight out of the oven. Lay out toppings and sauces of choice on the table and let everyone assemble their own!Recipe Notes:1. Taco Shells – whatever taco shells or tortillas you use, warm them! Taco shells should be baked until crispy (they are kind of chewy and bendy straight out of the packet) and tortillas only need 20 seconds or so in the microwave (or wrap in foil and bake 5 to 10 minutes)2. Meat – I usually use lean. If you use fatty beef, you can drain excess fat before adding Seasoning. Can also use chicken, turkey, pork.3. Cheese – Monterey Jack is my favourite, then cheddar, tasty, pepper jack. Australia – Monterey Jack is now sold at Aldi, sometimes at Costco! Use to be sold at Harris. Melts like mozzarella, tasty like cheddar, non greasy. It’s my fave.4. Nutrition for 3 tacos, including crispy taco shell, meat, cheese, lettuce, tomato and onion.Nutrition Information:Calories:490cal (25%) | Carbohydrates:31g (10%) | Protein:36g (72%) | Fat:23g (35%) | Saturated Fat:9g (56%) | Cholesterol:99mg (33%) | Sodium:998mg (43%) | Potassium:755mg (22%) | Fiber:4g (17%) | Sugar:4g (4%) | Vitamin A:630IU (13%) | Vitamin C:6.8mg (8%) | Calcium:212mg (21%) | Iron:4.2mg (23%)Frequently Asked Questions:Can I use soft tortillas instead of crispy taco shells?Yes, you can use soft tortillas instead.Simply fill them with the beef mixture and toppings, then bake or serve immediately.What type of beef should I use for the tacos?Ground beef or beef mince works well for this recipe.You can use lean or regular ground beef based on your preference.Can I adjust the spiciness of the taco seasoning?Yes, you can adjust the amount of cayenne pepper or omit it entirely if you prefer a milder flavor.What kind of cheese is best for topping the tacos?Shredded cheese like cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend works well.Use your favorite cheese or a combination for extra flavor.How should I store leftover taco meat?Allow the taco meat to cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat before serving.Can I prepare the beef filling ahead of time?Yes, you can make the beef filling ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until ready to use.Reheat it before assembling the tacos.What are some recommended toppings for these tacos?Shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, onions, sour cream, taco sauce, cilantro, jalapeños, and salsa are all popular choices.Feel free to customize with your favorite toppings.Do I need to preheat the taco shells before filling them?It’s not necessary to preheat the taco shells if you’re using crispy ones.However, you can warm soft tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave before filling.Can I make these tacos vegetarian?Yes, you can substitute the ground beef with cooked lentils, black beans, or a plant-based meat alternative to make vegetarian tacos.What is the purpose of baking the tacos?Baking the tacos helps melt the cheese and crisp up the shells, creating a delicious texture and melding the flavors together.

How to make Baked Beef Tacos

Ingredients

10 to 12 crispy taco shells (“stand and stuff) OR soft tortillas of choice (Note 1)

BEEF TACOS:

1 tbsp oil

2 garlic cloves , minced

1 onion , finely chopped

500 g / 1 lb beef , ground / mince (Note 2)

2 tbsp tomato paste

1/4 cup / 65ml water

HOMEMADE TACO SEASONING:

1 tsp EACH garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano

2 tsp EACH cumin powder, paprika

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust spiciness to taste, can skip)

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

TOPPINGS:

Shredded cheese (Note 3)

Shredded iceberg lettuce

2 tomatoes , chopped

1/2 red or white onion , chopped

Sour cream

Taco sauce (optional)

Other: coriander/cilantro , jalapeño, hot sauce / chilli sauce, pickled chillies, salsa sauce, pico de gallo

Instructions

Preheat oven to 180C/350F.

BEEF FILLING:

Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add garlic and onion – cook 2 minutes until golden.

Add beef and cook for 2 minutes, breaking it up as you go, until it changes from red to light brown.

Add Taco Seasonings and cook for 2 minutes until beef is cooked through.

Add tomato paste and water. Cook for 1 minute or until water is evaporated and you’re left with a juicy not not watery beef filling.

BAKE (OPTIONAL):

Place taco shells in a baking pan (I can fit 10 in). Fill with taco meat, top with cheese.

Bake 5 to 7 minutes until cheese is melted by which time the shells with be crispy.

SERVE:

Serve tacos hot, straight out of the oven. Lay out toppings and sauces of choice on the table and let everyone assemble their own!

Recipe Notes:

1. Taco Shells – whatever taco shells or tortillas you use, warm them! Taco shells should be baked until crispy (they are kind of chewy and bendy straight out of the packet) and tortillas only need 20 seconds or so in the microwave (or wrap in foil and bake 5 to 10 minutes)

2. Meat – I usually use lean. If you use fatty beef, you can drain excess fat before adding Seasoning. Can also use chicken, turkey, pork.

3. Cheese – Monterey Jack is my favourite, then cheddar, tasty, pepper jack. Australia – Monterey Jack is now sold at Aldi, sometimes at Costco! Use to be sold at Harris. Melts like mozzarella, tasty like cheddar, non greasy. It’s my fave.

4. Nutrition for 3 tacos, including crispy taco shell, meat, cheese, lettuce, tomato and onion.

Nutrition Information:

Calories:490cal (25%) | Carbohydrates:31g (10%) | Protein:36g (72%) | Fat:23g (35%) | Saturated Fat:9g (56%) | Cholesterol:99mg (33%) | Sodium:998mg (43%) | Potassium:755mg (22%) | Fiber:4g (17%) | Sugar:4g (4%) | Vitamin A:630IU (13%) | Vitamin C:6.8mg (8%) | Calcium:212mg (21%) | Iron:4.2mg (23%)

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use soft tortillas instead of crispy taco shells?

Yes, you can use soft tortillas instead.

Simply fill them with the beef mixture and toppings, then bake or serve immediately.

What type of beef should I use for the tacos?

Ground beef or beef mince works well for this recipe.

You can use lean or regular ground beef based on your preference.

Can I adjust the spiciness of the taco seasoning?

Yes, you can adjust the amount of cayenne pepper or omit it entirely if you prefer a milder flavor.

What kind of cheese is best for topping the tacos?

Shredded cheese like cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend works well.

Use your favorite cheese or a combination for extra flavor.

How should I store leftover taco meat?

Allow the taco meat to cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat before serving.

Can I prepare the beef filling ahead of time?

Yes, you can make the beef filling ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Reheat it before assembling the tacos.

What are some recommended toppings for these tacos?

Shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, onions, sour cream, taco sauce, cilantro, jalapeños, and salsa are all popular choices.

Feel free to customize with your favorite toppings.

Do I need to preheat the taco shells before filling them?

It’s not necessary to preheat the taco shells if you’re using crispy ones.

However, you can warm soft tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave before filling.

Can I make these tacos vegetarian?

Yes, you can substitute the ground beef with cooked lentils, black beans, or a plant-based meat alternative to make vegetarian tacos.

What is the purpose of baking the tacos?

Baking the tacos helps melt the cheese and crisp up the shells, creating a delicious texture and melding the flavors together.