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Crispy baked ground beef tacos with cheese, cilantro, and taco toppings

Crispy Baked Ground Beef Tacos | Spicy Beef Tacos Dinner, Taco Meat Recipes

These crispy baked ground beef tacos bring all the crunch of deep‑fried shredded beef tacos—without the mess. Packed with flavor, quick to prep and bake, they’re one of the best taco meat recipes for busy weeknights or casual dinners.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner, Main
Cuisine: Mexican‑Inspired
Calories: 540
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 packet taco seasoning or homemade blend
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
  • 10 small taco shells or tortillas
  • olive oil spray
  • 1/4 cup diced onions
  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Equipment

  • Skillet
  • Baking Sheet
  • Oven
  • Mixing spoon

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. In a skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat until cooked through. Drain any excess fat.
  3. Stir in taco seasoning and water; simmer for 2–3 minutes.
  4. Lay taco shells or tortillas on a baking sheet. Fill each with the beef mixture.
  5. Top each shell with shredded cheese, diced onions, and chopped cilantro. Lightly spray the shells with olive oil to help crisping.
  6. Bake 8–10 minutes or until the shells are crisp and the cheese is melted.
  7. Serve warm with your favorite toppings like salsa, sour cream, lettuce or jalapeños.

Notes

For extra crunch, place the taco shells on a wire rack over the baking sheet. Avoid overfilling the shells to keep them crisp. Leftover beef can also be used for taco salads or nachos.