How These Ground Beef Baked Tacos Became My Go-To Weeknight Dinner
It was one of those nights when I needed something quick, fun, and guaranteed to please everyone. I had taco shells, ground beef, and a little shredded cheese left in the fridge so I decided to try baking them all together. The result? These Ground Beef Baked Tacos came out of the oven perfectly crisp, cheesy, and packed with flavor.
The smell of seasoned beef and melted cheese filled my kitchen, and as soon as I set them on the table, they disappeared faster than I could blink. Now, they’ve become one of my favorite ground beef recipes to make for lazy dinners, busy weeknights, or casual get-togethers.
Why These Tacos Always Work
These baked tacos are the ultimate shortcut to an easy dinner. You get all the flavor of classic tacos but with the convenience of a casserole-style bake. The taco shells stay crispy on the outside, the beef is juicy and savory, and the melted cheese ties it all together beautifully.
They’re perfect for a family dinner, game night, or meal prepping ahead of time. If you love simple dinner recipes that deliver big flavor with minimal effort, this one’s going to be a new favorite.
And when I’m craving another quick and crowd-pleasing meal, I love making my Walking Taco Bake it has the same Tex-Mex vibe, just in a fun, layered form.
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Ground Beef Baked Tacos
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
Description
Crispy baked tacos filled with seasoned ground beef and melted cheese, topped with all your favorite fixings. A fun, easy weeknight meal everyone loves.
Ingredients
Ground beef, onion, garlic, olive oil, taco seasoning, tomato sauce, water, taco shells, cheese, lettuce, tomato, sour cream, salsa.
Instructions
Brown ground beef with onion and garlic. Add taco seasoning, tomato sauce, and water; simmer until thickened. Fill taco shells with beef, top with cheese, and bake at 400°F for 10 minutes. Add toppings and serve.
Notes
Add refried beans or veggies to the filling, or use flour tortillas for soft tacos. Great for taco bars and family dinners.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Plate
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 630
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 9
- Unsaturated Fat: 2
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 34
- Fiber: 18
- Protein: 2
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Everything You’ll Need in My Kitchen
For the Beef Filling
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (1 oz) packet taco seasoning (or homemade mix)
• ½ cup tomato sauce
• ½ cup water
For the Tacos
• 10 hard taco shells
• 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
• Toppings: shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, salsa, jalapeños, avocado
How I Make Them
I start by preheating my oven to 400°F and lining a baking dish with foil for easy cleanup. Then I heat olive oil in a skillet and sauté the onion until soft. I add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds before adding the ground beef. I let it brown completely, breaking it apart as it cooks.
Once it’s cooked through, I drain any excess fat, stir in the taco seasoning, tomato sauce, and water, and let it simmer for five minutes until thickened and fragrant.
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Next, I arrange the taco shells upright in the baking dish (a little foil ball between each helps them stand). I spoon a bit of the beef mixture into each shell and top it generously with shredded cheese. Then I bake them uncovered for 8 to 10 minutes, just until the cheese melts and the shells turn lightly golden.
As soon as they come out of the oven, I pile on fresh toppings crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and a dollop of sour cream. They’re crunchy, cheesy, and full of flavor in every bite.
When I want a slightly creamier, one-pan version, my One Pot Creamy Ground Beef Pasta is another easy go-to dinner that never disappoints.
My Favorite Twists
This ground beef dinner recipe is endlessly flexible, and here are some of my favorite ways to change it up:
• Baked Taco Bar: Set out bowls of toppings and let everyone customize their own.
• Soft Shell Version: Use small flour tortillas and bake them in muffin tins for bite-sized tacos.
• Cheesy Upgrade: Add a layer of refried beans before the beef for extra creaminess.
• Loaded Veggie Option: Add corn, black beans, or diced bell peppers to the filling.
• Spicy Twist: Mix in diced jalapeños or chipotle peppers for a bold kick.
If you love meals that are easy but still full of flavor, try my 30-Minute Ground Beef Philly Cheesesteaks another weeknight wonder that’s just as satisfying.
Before You Take the First Bite
These Ground Beef Baked Tacos have quickly become one of my all-time favorite recipes with ground beef. They’re simple, budget-friendly, and always a crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re feeding a family or just making dinner for two, they’re a guaranteed win every single time.
Serve them with rice, chips, or a quick side salad, and you’ve got a complete meal that feels like a party without any of the work. And if you ever want a bit more heat, my Easy Oven Baked Chipotle BBQ Ribs bring smoky spice to the table in the best way.
