Description
These Crispy Ground Beef Tacos are a savory and satisfying Mexican-inspired dish featuring seasoned, juicy ground beef enveloped in corn tortillas, layered with melted Oaxaca or Monterey Jack cheese, and baked to crispy perfection. Ideal for a flavorful weeknight dinner or casual gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Mixture
- 1 pound lean ground beef (90%)
- 1 packet of taco seasoning
- 3/4 cup red enchilada sauce
Tacos
- 10 corn tortillas
- 2 1/2 cups Oaxaca cheese, Mexican cheese, or Monterey Jack, shredded
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C) to ensure it reaches the right temperature for baking the tacos to a perfect crisp.
- Cook Ground Beef: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spatula as it cooks. Brown the beef completely and then stir in the taco seasoning and red enchilada sauce. Let the mixture simmer briefly to meld the flavors, then remove from heat.
- Soften Tortillas: Stack the corn tortillas and wrap them in a damp paper towel. Microwave for 30–60 seconds until they become soft and pliable, preventing cracks when folding.
- Assemble Tacos: Lightly brush one side of each tortilla with olive oil. Place the tortillas oil-side down on a baking sheet. On half of each tortilla, layer 2 tablespoons of shredded cheese, about 1/4 cup of the seasoned ground beef mixture, then top with 2 more tablespoons of cheese. Fold the tortillas over the filling to form tacos.
- Bake Tacos: Arrange the assembled tacos in a single layer on the baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 16 minutes or until the tortillas are crispy and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Cool and Serve: Let the tacos cool on the baking sheet for about 3 minutes to allow the filling to set, making them easier to handle and enjoy.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef (90%) for a perfect balance of flavor and less grease.
- Microwaving tortillas wrapped in a damp paper towel keeps them soft and helps avoid cracking during folding.
- Feel free to substitute red enchilada sauce with your favorite salsa for a different flavor profile.
- Oaxaca cheese gives an authentic Mexican flavor, but Monterey Jack is a great alternative if unavailable.
- For extra crispiness, broil the tacos for the last 1-2 minutes but watch carefully to avoid burning.
