Baked Tacos with Ground Beef-Perfectly Crispy!
Baked tacos with ground beef, melty cheese and a creamy yogurt sauce—easy, customizable, and perfect for taco night!
If you’ve ever wished for tacos that are both delicious and mess-free, this Baked Tacos with Ground Beef recipe is about to become your new favorite. These oven tacos combine the rich flavor of seasoned ground meat with the golden crunch of baked tortillas, all topped off with a tangy Greek yogurt sauce that takes things to the next level. It’s the perfect taco night solution for busy families or anyone craving crispy perfection without the frying.
What sets this taco recipe apart is its simplicity—made with just a handful of simple ingredients, it’s easy enough for a weeknight but tasty enough to serve to a crowd. Whether you’re cooking for your whole family or meal prepping for the week, this baked taco recipe is satisfying, convenient, and loaded with flavor. Pair them with some pico de gallo, lime wedges, or a side of Mexican rice and you’ve got yourself the ultimate taco Tuesday feast.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crispy Without the Frying: These crispy baked tacos are oven-baked to golden brown perfection, so you get all the crunch with none of the splatter.
- Family-Friendly & Customizable: This taco recipe works great with ground beef, ground turkey, or even plant-based alternatives. Customize the filling and toppings to your liking.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: Make a big batch and store the leftovers in an airtight container. Reheat in the oven or air fryer for quick, crispy tacos all week long.
- Better-for-You Sauce: The yogurt-mayo blend adds tang and creaminess, with less fat than sour cream or heavy sauces.
Breakdown of the Ingredients
Here’s everything you’ll need to make these crispy baked tacos:
- 1 lb ground beef: Use lean ground beef for best results, or swap with ground turkey or the meat of your choice.
- 1 red pepper, chopped: Adds sweetness and texture to the taco filling.
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt + 1/4 cup mayonnaise: This combo creates a creamy, tangy taco dip that’s lighter than traditional sour cream.
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning: Use your favorite taco seasoning mix or make your own with dry seasonings like cumin, paprika, garlic powder, and chili powder.
- 1 cup shredded cheese: Cheddar cheese or Mexican blend melts perfectly into the meat mixture for that gooey taco goodness.
- 8 tortillas: Flour tortillas, corn tortillas, or even grain-free tortillas will all work—just make sure they’re soft and pliable.
- Cilantro, chopped for garnish: Fresh flavor and a pop of color to finish.
Optional toppings: lime wedges, pico de gallo, sour cream, or shredded lettuce.
How to Make the Recipe
- Preheat and prep: Heat oven to 375°F. Grease a baking sheet or line it with aluminum foil for easier cleanup.
- Sauté veggies: In a large skillet over medium heat, add a little olive oil and sauté chopped red pepper for 5-7 minutes, until softened. Set aside.
- Cook the meat: In the same skillet, brown ground beef with half the taco seasoning, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon. Cook until no pink remains and meat reaches 165°F.
- Combine the filling: Add the sautéed peppers back into the ground beef mixture and stir to combine.
- Assemble tacos: Place tortillas flat on the baking sheet. Drizzle a little bit of olive oil over each. Spoon the beef taco mixture onto half of each tortilla. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top, then fold tortillas over to seal.
- Bake: Bake for 20–25 minutes or until tacos are golden brown and crispy.
- Make the sauce: While the tacos bake, mix Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, and remaining taco seasoning in a small bowl. This is your creamy taco sauce.
- Serve: Top baked tacos with cilantro, serve with lime wedges and a side of pico de gallo or Mexican rice.
How to Store the Recipe
Have leftovers? Here’s the easiest way to store and reheat:
- Storage: Let tacos cool completely before storing. Place them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: For best results, reheat in the oven or air fryer at 375°F for 5–7 minutes until crisp again. Avoid microwaving if you want to maintain that golden, crispy taco shell.
- Freezing: While you can freeze the cooked meat mixture, we don’t recommend freezing fully assembled baked tacos, as the tortillas may lose their texture.
Tips for Making the Recipe
- Use soft tortillas: Warm them slightly in the microwave before assembling so they fold easily without cracking.
- Oil matters: A little bit of olive oil brushed on the tortillas before baking helps them achieve that crispy perfection.
- Customize the filling: Feel free to add black beans, corn, or even chopped spinach to the taco filling for extra nutrition.
- Cheese tip: Shred your own cheese for the meltiest results—pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that affect texture.
- Crispier option: Want them extra crispy? Bake uncovered or try reheating leftovers in the air fryer for a few minutes.
- Batch cooking: Doubling the ground meat mixture lets you prep a big batch. Store half for quick weekday tacos or even taco bowls.
This baked taco recipe is a game-changer. With a flavorful beef taco filling, a golden crispy shell, and a creamy, zesty dipping sauce, it checks every box. Whether it’s taco Tuesday, a busy weeknight, or a weekend gathering, these crispy baked tacos are an easy dinner the whole family will love. Print the recipe card, make a big batch, and serve up your new favorite taco night tradition!
FAQs
Absolutely! Ground turkey or chicken are great alternatives if you’re looking for a leaner meat of your choice.
Corn tortillas and flour tortillas both work, though flour tends to hold up better in the oven. Use grain-free tortillas if gluten-free is your goal.
Yes! Assemble tacos and cook in the air fryer at 375°F for about 8–10 minutes. It’s the best way to get that crisp in less time.
Pico de gallo, avocado slices, shredded lettuce, lime juice, and hot sauce all make excellent additions.
Swap Greek yogurt and mayo for dairy-free alternatives like cashew cream or a plant-based sour cream.
Yes. You can make the ground beef mixture and the yogurt sauce ahead of time. Store them separately and assemble just before baking.
Meals with Similar Flavors
Baked Tacos with Ground Beef-Perfectly Crispy!
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef 90% lean
- 1 red bell pepper chopped
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt nonfat
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 Tbsp taco seasoning
- 1 cup colby jack cheese shredded
- 8 flour tortillas
- cilantro chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Heat oven to 375°F. Grease a baking sheet. Set aside.
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, add olive oil with chopped peppers. Cook for approximately 5-7 minutes or until peppers begin to soften. Remove peppers from the pan and set aside.
- To the same greased pan, add ground beef and half of taco seasoning. Cook for approximately 10 minutes or until internal temperature is 165°F.
- Add peppers back to the pan and stir into ground beef.
- Begin to assemble tacos. On lined baking sheet place open tortillas. Drizzle a little olive oil over each tortilla.
- Next, add ground beef and pepper mixture to each tortilla. Top ground beef mixture with shredded cheese, and then fold each taco shut. Bake for 20-25 minutes.
- In a small bowl, combine mayo, Greek yogurt, and remaining taco seasoning. Set aside.
- Once baked tacos come out of the oven, top with fresh cilantro and dip in yogurt sauce. Enjoy!