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Easy Ground Beef Tacos in crispy shells topped with cheese and fresh ingredients

Ground Beef Tacos

These easy ground beef tacos are perfect for a weeknight dinner, featuring crispy shells and a flavorful beef filling that can be customized with your favorite toppings.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 250
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Beef Filling
  • 1 lb Ground beef (80 to 90 percent lean)
  • 1 small onion, diced (optional) adds flavor
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced or garlic powder in a pinch
  • 1 packet taco seasoning store bought or homemade
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste or a small splash of tomato sauce for richness
  • 1 cup water or beef broth just enough to loosen and simmer
  • Salt and pepper to taste
For the Crispy Shells
  • 12 pieces crispy taco shells
For Toppings
  • 1 cup shredded lettuce
  • 1 cup diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
  • 1 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 cup salsa or hot sauce
  • 1 cup sliced jalapenos
  • 1 cup avocado or guacamole

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Brown the beef in a large skillet over medium heat until no longer pink, breaking it up with a spoon.
  2. If there's excess grease, carefully drain most of it, leaving a tiny bit for flavor.
  3. Add diced onion and cook for about 2-3 minutes, then stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
  4. Sprinkle in taco seasoning, stir to coat the beef evenly, then add tomato paste or sauce, followed by a bit of water or broth.
  5. Let the mixture simmer until thickened, tasting and adjusting with salt and pepper as needed.
Serving
  1. Warm the crispy taco shells in the oven right before serving.
  2. Fill the shells with the beef filling and let everyone add their own toppings.

Notes

For crispy taco shells, warm them just before serving and don’t overfill them. Keep beef warm if serving in waves.