Beef Tacos Delight
A delicious and easy recipe for beef tacos with customizable toppings.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small shallot or onion, finely chopped
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 can Rotel canned chopped tomatoes and green chiles
- 1 tablespoon chili powder (chipotle chili powder recommended)
- 1.5 teaspoon ground cumin
- 0.5 teaspoon paprika
- 0.25 teaspoon dried oregano
- 0.5 teaspoon salt (or more to taste)
- 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 14 to 18 taco shells
- 2 to 3 cups shredded Tex-Mex cheese or Monterey Jack
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic, chopped onion, and ground beef. Cook for about 7-10 minutes, breaking the beef into small pieces as it browns. Tip: Make sure to stir occasionally to ensure even cooking.
- Once the beef is browned, stir in the chili powder, ground cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently to release the flavors.
- Add the canned tomatoes to the skillet and let the mixture simmer for 7-10 minutes, allowing the juices to cook down. Tip: This step enhances the flavor and texture of the beef filling.
- While the beef mixture simmers, line the taco shells in a 9 x 13 inch casserole dish. Bake the shells for 5 minutes if using a light-colored dish, or 3 minutes if using a dark dish. Carefully remove from the oven.
- Sprinkle some shredded cheese at the bottom of each taco shell, followed by a layer of black beans, and then top with the ground beef mixture.
- Finish by adding the remaining cheese on top of the filled taco shells. Bake uncovered for 7-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Tip: Keep an eye on the cheese to avoid burning.
- Remove from the oven and add your desired toppings. Serve the tacos hot, straight from the oven, and let everyone customize their own with toppings and sauces!
Notes
Feel free to mix and match toppings based on your preferences! For a spicier kick, add more chili powder or jalapeños.