Description
This Old School Beef Taco recipe offers a classic, flavorful taco experience with seasoned ground beef cooked in a skillet and optionally baked with melted cheese in crispy taco shells. Featuring homemade taco seasoning and fresh toppings, it’s perfect for a fun, customizable taco night that serves 10 to 12 tacos.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Tacos:
- 1 tbsp oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 500 g / 1 lb ground beef
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/4 cup / 65 ml water
Homemade Taco Seasoning:
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tsp cumin powder
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional, adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Taco Shells and Toppings:
- 10 to 12 crispy taco shells (“stand and stuff”) or soft tortillas of choice
- Shredded cheese (cheddar or preferred type)
- Shredded iceberg lettuce
- 2 tomatoes, chopped
- 1/2 red or white onion, chopped
- Sour cream
- Taco sauce (optional)
- Additional: coriander/cilantro, jalapeño, hot sauce, pickled chillies, salsa sauce, pico de gallo
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) to prepare for optional baking of the tacos later on.
- Cook Aromatics: Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the minced garlic and finely chopped onion, cooking for about 2 minutes until they become golden and fragrant.
- Brown the Beef: Add 500 grams (1 lb) of ground beef to the skillet. Cook for 2 minutes, breaking the meat apart with a spatula as it cooks, until the beef changes from red to light brown.
- Add Seasoning: Sprinkle in the homemade taco seasoning—garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Stir well and cook for another 2 minutes to let the flavors meld and the beef fully cook through.
- Add Tomato Paste & Water: Stir in 2 tablespoons of tomato paste and 1/4 cup (65 ml) water. Continue cooking for about 1 minute or until the water evaporates and the beef mixture becomes juicy but not watery.
- Fill Tacos: Arrange the taco shells in a baking pan. Spoon the beef filling into each shell and top with shredded cheese.
- Bake (Optional): Place the filled taco shells into the preheated oven and bake for 5 to 7 minutes until the cheese melts and taco shells are crispy.
- Serve and Assemble: Serve the tacos hot straight from the oven. Set out shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, chopped onion, sour cream, taco sauce, and any other desired toppings so everyone can assemble their tacos according to their preference.
Notes
- You can choose between crispy taco shells or soft tortillas depending on your preference.
- Adjust the cayenne pepper to control spiciness, or omit it for milder tacos.
- Shredded cheese type can vary based on preference, commonly cheddar or a Mexican blend.
- To save time, prepare toppings ahead and keep them chilled until serving.
- The optional baking step crisps the shells and melts the cheese but can be skipped if preferred.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Keywords: beef tacos, old school tacos, classic taco recipe, ground beef tacos, homemade taco seasoning, Mexican tacos, taco night, easy tacos
