Crispy Baked Tacos with Ground Beef and Beans Recipe
These Crispy Baked Tacos featuring seasoned ground beef and black beans are a quick and flavorful weeknight meal. Baked to perfection for a crispy shell and topped with melted cheese, they are served with a creamy salsa yogurt dip for a delicious Tex-Mex experience.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Meat & Beans
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt, divided
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- ½ teaspoon mild chili powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Tacos & Toppings
- 10 (7.5-inch) medium flour tortillas
- 1 ¼ cups shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- Avocado oil cooking spray
Dipping Sauce
- ½ cup 2% plain Greek yogurt (or sour cream)
- 1 cup chunky-style salsa
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and lightly coat a large sheet pan with avocado oil cooking spray to prevent sticking and help with crisping.
- Brown The Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil, ground beef, and ½ teaspoon kosher salt. Cook while breaking the meat apart, until browned and mostly cooked through, about 5-6 minutes.
- Add the Beans & Seasonings: Stir in tomato paste, black beans, mild chili powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and the remaining ¼ teaspoon salt. Let simmer for 2-3 minutes while stirring frequently until thickened. If mixture sticks, add a splash of water. Gently mash beans into the beef mixture using the back of a fork.
- Assemble The Tacos: Lay the tortillas flat on the prepared baking sheet. Spread about 2 tablespoons of the beef and bean mixture on one half of each tortilla, then top with approximately 2 tablespoons of shredded cheese.
- Prepare For Baking: Spray both sides of the filled tortillas with avocado oil cooking spray. Arrange the tacos evenly on the baking sheet with minimal overlap to ensure even crisping.
- Bake Until Crispy: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, flipping the tacos halfway through cooking to achieve a golden crispy texture on both sides. Once done, allow them to cool slightly before serving.
- Optional Salsa Dipping Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the Greek yogurt or sour cream with the chunky salsa until smooth. Serve on the side for dipping or drizzle inside each taco just before eating.
Notes
- If your tortillas break when folding, warming them briefly in the microwave or oven before assembly can make them more pliable.
- You can substitute black beans with pinto beans if preferred.
- For extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne or chipotle powder to the seasoning mix.
- Leftover filling can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
