Baked Beef Tacos

Total Time

Prep: 15 min. Bake: 20 min.

Makes

12 servings

Updated: Sep. 28, 2023
This taco recipe takes classic taco ingredients and gives them a fresh approach by baking the shells upright in refried beans and tomatoes. The bottom gets soft, and the top stays crisp and crunchy. —Patricia Stagich, Elizabeth, New Jersey

Ingredients

  • 1-1/2 pounds ground beef
  • 1 envelope taco seasoning
  • 2 cans (10 ounces each) diced tomatoes and green chiles, divided
  • 1 can (16 ounces) refried beans
  • 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend, divided
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce, optional
  • 12 taco shells
  • Chopped green onions

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°. In a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat, 6-8 minutes or until no longer pink, crumble meat; drain. Stir in taco seasoning and 1 can undrained tomatoes; heat through.
  2. Mix beans, 1/2 cup cheese, cilantro, remaining can of undrained tomatoes and, if desired, pepper sauce. Spread onto bottom of a greased 13x9-in. baking dish.
  3. Stand taco shells upright on bean mixture. Fill each with 1 tablespoon cheese and about 1/3 cup beef mixture. Bake, covered, 15 minutes.
  4. Uncover; sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake, uncovered, 5-7 minutes or until cheese is melted and shells are lightly browned. Sprinkle with green onion.

Nutrition Facts

1 taco with 1/4 cup bean mixture: 277 calories, 15g fat (7g saturated fat), 52mg cholesterol, 836mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 3g fiber), 17g protein.