Crispy Beef Tacos

These crispy baked beef tacos are one of those easy dinners I find myself coming back to again and again. They’re packed with seasoned ground beef and melty Oaxaca cheese, then baked until the tortillas are golden and crisp. They’re simple, comforting, and always a hit when I need a quick meal that the whole family will enjoy!

INGREDIENT NOTES

Ground Beef: I like using 90% lean ground beef because it typically doesn’t leave much grease behind. If you prefer an 80/20 blend or another higher-fat option, simply drain off the excess fat before assembling the tacos. Ground turkey or ground chicken would also make great substitutes.

Taco Seasoning: Store-bought taco seasoning works perfectly here, but you can also create your own blend using spices you already have in your pantry.

Enchilada Sauce: Feel free to use your favorite canned or jarred enchilada sauce, or make a homemade version if you want to customize the flavor.

Cheese: Oaxaca cheese is my favorite for these tacos because it melts beautifully and gives the filling a smooth, creamy texture. Monterey Jack, cheddar, or your favorite Mexican cheese blend can also be used if that's what you have available.

Olive Oil: A light coating of oil on the tortillas helps keep them from sticking to the baking sheet while also helping them turn golden and crispy. I usually reach for olive oil or avocado oil.

Corn Tortillas: I prefer corn tortillas because they add a delicious flavor and crisp up nicely in the oven. Flour tortillas can be used instead, but they tend to cook faster, so reduce the baking time by about 4–6 minutes. Be sure to coat them well with oil to help prevent sticking.

Why You’ll Love These Tacos

These crispy baked beef tacos are the perfect combination of crunchy corn tortillas, savory seasoned beef, gooey melted Oaxaca cheese, and flavorful enchilada sauce. They’re easy to prepare, use simple ingredients, and come together in the oven without the mess of frying. Whether you’re making a quick weeknight dinner or feeding the whole family, these tacos are sure to be a crispy, cheesy, and satisfying favorite!

Ingredients

▢ 1 pound lean ground beef 90%

▢ 1 packet of taco seasoning

▢ ¾ cup red enchilada sauce

▢ 2 ½ cups Oaxaca cheese or Mexican cheese or Monterey Jack

▢ 10 corn tortillas

▢ 1 tbs olive oil

How to Make Crispy Beef Tacos

1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 450°F and allow it to fully heat while you prepare the tacos.

2. Cook the beef: Place a skillet over medium-high heat and add the ground beef. Cook, breaking the meat into small pieces as it browns. Once cooked through, mix in the taco seasoning and enchilada sauce. Let the mixture come to a gentle simmer, then take the skillet off the heat.

3. Soften the tortillas: Stack the tortillas and wrap them in a damp paper towel. Microwave for 30–60 seconds, or until they are soft and flexible enough to fold without cracking.

4. Build the tacos: Lightly brush one side of each tortilla with olive oil. Place them oil-side down on a baking sheet. On one half of each tortilla, sprinkle 2 tablespoons of cheese, followed by ¼ cup of the seasoned beef, then another 2 tablespoons of cheese. Fold the empty half over the filling to create the taco.

5. Arrange for baking: Continue assembling the remaining tacos and place them on the baking sheet in a single layer, leaving a little space between each one.

6. Bake until crispy: Place the tacos in the oven and bake for approximately 16 minutes, or until the tortillas are crisp and the cheese has melted. Remove from the oven and let them cool for about 3 minutes before serving.

Cook the beef: Place a skillet over medium-high heat and add the ground beef. Cook, breaking the meat into small pieces as it browns. Once cooked through, mix in the taco seasoning and enchilada sauce. Let the mixture come to a gentle simmer, then take the skillet off the heat.

Soften the tortillas: Stack the tortillas and wrap them in a damp paper towel. Microwave for 30–60 seconds, or until they are soft and flexible enough to fold without cracking.

Build the tacos: Lightly brush one side of each tortilla with olive oil. Place them oil-side down on a baking sheet. On one half of each tortilla, sprinkle 2 tablespoons of cheese, followed by ¼ cup of the seasoned beef, then another 2 tablespoons of cheese. Fold the empty half over the filling to create the taco.

Continue assembling the remaining tacos and place them on the baking sheet in a single layer, leaving a little space between each one.

Bake until crispy: Place the tacos in the oven and bake for approximately 16 minutes, or until the tortillas are crisp and the cheese has melted. Remove from the oven and let them cool for about 3 minutes before serving.

Quick tip: try to avoid overlapping tacos so all sides can get evenly crispy

Serving Suggestions

I love finishing these tacos with a little fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice. The bright, zesty flavors add the perfect finishing touch to the crispy, cheesy tacos.

They’re delicious on their own, but you can also serve them with your favorite Mexican-inspired sides. Mexican rice makes a great pairing, see my recipe here!

Yield: 5

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Crispy Beef Tacos

These crispy baked beef tacos are one of those easy dinners I find myself coming back to again and again. They’re packed with seasoned ground beef and melty Oaxaca cheese, then baked until the tortillas are golden and crisp. They’re simple, comforting, and always a hit when I need a quick meal that the whole family will enjoy!

Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 20 MinTotal time: 35 Min

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Ingredients

• 1 pound lean ground beef 90%
• 1 packet of taco seasoning
• ¾ cup red enchilada sauce
• 2 ½ cups Oaxaca cheese or Mexican cheese or Monterey Jack
• 10 corn tortillas
• 1 tbs olive oil

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 450°F and allow it to fully heat while you prepare the tacos.
2. Cook the beef: Place a skillet over medium-high heat and add the ground beef. Cook, breaking the meat into small pieces as it browns. Once cooked through, mix in the taco seasoning and enchilada sauce. Let the mixture come to a gentle simmer, then take the skillet off the heat.
3. Soften the tortillas: Stack the tortillas and wrap them in a damp paper towel. Microwave for 30–60 seconds, or until they are soft and flexible enough to fold without cracking.
4. Build the tacos: Lightly brush one side of each tortilla with olive oil. Place them oil-side down on a baking sheet. On one half of each tortilla, sprinkle 2 tablespoons of cheese, followed by ¼ cup of the seasoned beef, then another 2 tablespoons of cheese. Fold the empty half over the filling to create the taco.
5. Arrange for baking: Continue assembling the remaining tacos and place them on the baking sheet in a single layer, leaving a little space between each one.
6. Bake until crispy: Place the tacos in the oven and bake for approximately 16 minutes, or until the tortillas are crisp and the cheese has melted. Remove from the oven and let them cool for about 3 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

526

Fat

29 g

Sat. Fat

14 g

Carbs

31 g

Fiber

5 g

Net carbs

26 g

Sugar

5 g

Protein

35 g

Sodium

1300 mg

Cholesterol

112 mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation only.