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Savory baked beef tacos filled with refried beans, seasoned ground beef, melted cheddar cheese, topped with fresh shredded lettuce and salsa, baked in flat-bottomed hard taco shells for a crispy, flavorful meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 10–11 flat-bottomed hard taco shells (fits nicely in a 9″x13″ pan)
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 packet or 2 tablespoons taco seasoning (adjusted to taste)
  • 1 can refried beans (~15 ounces)
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • Shredded lettuce for topping
  • Fresh salsa for topping
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Vegetable oil for cooking, if needed

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Cook ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, breaking it apart and browning it well.
  3. Drain excess fat from the cooked beef.
  4. Sprinkle taco seasoning over the beef with a splash of water, stir and cook about 1 minute until combined; season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Warm refried beans until spreadable (microwave or stovetop).
  6. Place flat-bottomed hard taco shells upright in a 9″x13″ pan.
  7. Spread a layer of warmed refried beans inside each taco shell.
  8. Add seasoned ground beef over the beans in each shell.
  9. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the meat in each shell.
  10. Bake in preheated oven for approximately 10 to 15 minutes, or until cheese is melted and everything is bubbling hot.
  11. Remove from oven and top each taco with shredded lettuce and fresh salsa just before serving.

Notes

Use flat-bottomed hard taco shells to ensure they stand up during baking and prevent tipping., Do not overfill taco shells to avoid sogginess or cracking., Warm refried beans before spreading for smooth heat distribution., Add fresh toppings like lettuce and salsa after baking to maintain crispness., Optional: For extra crispy shells, broil for 30–60 seconds watching carefully to prevent burning., Customize with substitutions like shredded cooked chicken instead of beef, spicy pepper jack cheese, or guacamole with salsa for added richness., Store leftovers in airtight container in fridge up to 3-4 days; keep toppings separate to avoid sogginess., Reheat in oven at 350°F for 8–10 minutes to maintain crispness; microwave only for quick reheating but expect softer shells.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://margorecipes.com/baked-beef-tacos/