Crispy Beef Tacos with Cheese (Printable version)
Crispy shells filled with seasoned beef, melted cheese, and fresh toppings. A satisfying meal ready in 30 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Beef Filling
01 - 1 lb ground beef (80/20 or lean)
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
05 - 1/2 cup beef broth or water
06 - 2 tsp chili powder
07 - 1 tsp ground cumin
08 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
09 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
10 - 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
11 - 3/4 tsp salt
12 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
→ Tacos and Toppings
13 - 8 hard taco shells
14 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese or Mexican cheese blend
15 - 1 cup shredded lettuce
16 - 1 medium tomato, diced
17 - 1/4 cup diced red onion
18 - 1/4 cup sour cream
19 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
20 - Lime wedges for serving
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon, approximately 4 to 5 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
03 - Add chopped onion and cook for 2 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
04 - Mix in tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Pour in beef broth or water and stir to combine. Simmer on low heat for 5 to 6 minutes until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat.
06 - Place hard taco shells on a baking sheet and warm in the oven for 3 to 4 minutes.
07 - Spoon beef mixture into each shell. Top with shredded cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onion, sour cream, and cilantro.
08 - Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side.
# Expert advice:
01 -
- The contrast between the warm, savory beef and the cool, crisp toppings creates this perfect balance that makes you want to keep eating just one more.
- These come together in under 30 minutes but taste like you spent hours developing those flavors, making them my secret weapon for those nights when everyone is hungry and patience is thin.
02 -
- Never, ever stuff the shells while they're lying flat, or youll end up with the dreaded taco explosion on the first bite, a lesson I learned when trying to impress my in-laws.
- The beef mixture actually tastes better if you let it sit for about 5 minutes after cooking, allowing the spices to fully permeate the meat.
03 -
- If your taco shells always crack when you bite them, try placing a thin layer of refried beans or guacamole on the bottom before adding the beef, creating a protective barrier that holds everything together.
- Grate your cheese while the beef is still cooking, then let it sit at room temperature, as cold cheese never melts properly on the warm filling.