Classic Beef Tacos: An Easy Family Taco Night
There are a million ways to make tacos, but sometimes you just want the classic.
Seasoned ground beef. Crunchy taco shells. Shredded cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes piled on top. Nothing fancy, just a really good taco night.
These classic beef tacos are one of those easy dinners to keep in your back pocket for busy weeknights. The beef comes together quickly with a handful of pantry staples, the shells get a few minutes in the oven to make them extra crisp, and everyone can add whatever toppings they like.
Add some chips and salsa, fruit, or a simple side and dinner is done.
Why We Love These Classic Beef Tacos
There’s a reason taco night never gets old.
These tacos are quick enough for a weeknight, use really simple ingredients, and are easy to customize for everyone at the table. Plus, there’s no taco seasoning packet required. A combination of chili powder, cumin, garlic, tomato paste, and onion gives the beef plenty of flavor using ingredients you probably already have.
And while warming the taco shells might seem like a skippable step, give them those five minutes in the oven. A warm, crispy shell makes them so much better.
Classic Beef Tacos Recipe
Makes 6-8 Tacos
Ingredients:
1 pound lean ground beef
¼ cup chopped onion
½ teaspoon garlic powder
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon ground cumin
¼ cup water
12 hard taco shells
For Topping:
Shredded cheese
Shredded lettuce
Diced tomatoes
And, of course, feel free to pull out whatever else your family loves on taco night. Sour cream, salsa, avocado, hot sauce, cilantro, or a squeeze of lime would all be good here.
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven.
Preheat your oven to 350°F.
2. Brown the beef.
In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and chopped onion over medium heat until the beef is no longer pink. Drain off any excess grease.
3. Season the taco meat.
Stir in the garlic powder, chili powder, tomato paste, garlic salt, and cumin.
4. Add the water.
Pour in ¼ cup water and stir everything together. Continue cooking until the mixture is heated through and the seasonings and tomato paste have coated the beef.
5. Warm the taco shells.
Meanwhile, arrange the hard taco shells on a large baking sheet. Bake for about 5 minutes, or until warm and lightly toasted.
6. Build your tacos.
Spoon the warm beef mixture into each taco shell and top with shredded cheese, lettuce, and diced tomatoes.
Then put the rest of the toppings on the table and let everyone take it from there.
Don’t Skip Toasting the Taco Shells
This is such a small thing, but it makes a difference.
Instead of pulling the hard taco shells straight from the box, give them about five minutes in a 350°F oven while you finish the taco meat. They’ll be warm, crisp, and taste so much fresher.
Just keep an eye on them, they don’t need long!
Make Taco Night Your Own
The basic beef-and-cheese taco is always good, but one of the reasons we love taco night is that everyone can make theirs a little different.
Set out a few toppings and let everyone build their own. Some of our favorites are:
Shredded cheese
Lettuce
Tomatoes
Sour cream
Salsa or pico de gallo
Avocado or guacamole
Cilantro
Lime wedges
Hot sauce
It’s also an easy way to accommodate kids who firmly believe exactly three things belong on their taco. Give them the shell, meat, and cheese and call it a win.
An Easy Dinner to Keep in the Rotation
We love trying new recipes, but there’s also something to be said for having a handful of dinners you don’t have to think very hard about.
These classic beef tacos are exactly that.
The ingredients are simple, the taco meat comes together quickly, and everyone gets to make their taco exactly how they like it. Add this one to the rotation for the next night when you need dinner on the table without turning it into a whole production.
And if your family has a taco-night topping you swear by, send it our way. We’re always looking for good things to pass along to our sisters.
X.o.
The Threads Between Sisters
