Description
These Crispy Ground Beef Tacos are a delightful and easy-to-make dish featuring seasoned ground beef cooked with enchilada sauce, layered with melted cheese inside warm corn tortillas that are baked to crispy perfection. Perfect for a crowd, this recipe combines bold Mexican flavors with a satisfying crunch.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Seasoning
- 1 pound lean ground beef (90%)
- 1 packet of taco seasoning
- 3/4 cup red enchilada sauce
Tortillas and Cheese
- 10 corn tortillas
- 2 1/2 cups Oaxaca cheese, Mexican cheese, or Monterey Jack, shredded
Other Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C) to ensure it’s hot and ready for baking the tacos, which will give the tortillas a crispy texture and melt the cheese perfectly.
- Prepare the Ground Beef: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook it while breaking it up with a spatula until browned and fully cooked through. Stir in the taco seasoning and red enchilada sauce, let the mixture simmer briefly, then remove from heat to allow the flavors to meld.
- Warm the Tortillas: Stack the corn tortillas, wrap them in a damp paper towel, and microwave for 30 to 60 seconds until they are soft and pliable. This prevents the tortillas from cracking when folded.
- Assemble the Tacos: Lightly brush one side of each tortilla with olive oil and place them oiled side down on a baking sheet. On one half of each tortilla, sprinkle 2 tablespoons of shredded cheese, spoon about 1/4 cup of the seasoned beef mixture on top, then add 2 more tablespoons of cheese. Fold the tortilla over the filling to form a taco shape.
- Arrange and Bake: Repeat the assembly for the remaining tortillas and place all 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.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the tacos from the oven and let them cool for 3 minutes. This resting time helps the filling set so the tacos are easier to handle and enjoy.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef (90%) to reduce excess grease.
- Warming the tortillas before baking is key to prevent breaking when folded.
- You can substitute corn tortillas with flour tortillas if preferred, but corn gives the most authentic flavor.
- Feel free to add toppings like salsa, guacamole, or sour cream when serving.
- For extra crispy tacos, you can lightly increase the baking time by 2-3 minutes if desired, but watch carefully to avoid burning.
