Save A crave-worthy, budget-friendly version of the famous fast-food favorite: crunchy seasoned beef tacos wrapped in warm, cheesy flatbreads, finished with lettuce, cheese, and zesty sauce.
When I first tried making these at home, my family was amazed at how close they tasted to the restaurant version, and we loved being able to tweak the flavors to our own liking.
Ingredients
- Beef & Seasonings: 1/2 lb (225 g) ground beef, 1/2 small onion finely diced, 1 clove garlic minced, 1 tablespoon taco seasoning, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 2 tablespoons water
- Cheesy Flatbreads: 4 small flour tortillas (soft taco size), 1 cup (100 g) shredded cheddar cheese
- Crunchy Tacos & Toppings: 4 crunchy taco shells, 1 cup (60 g) shredded iceberg lettuce, 1/2 cup (50 g) shredded Monterey Jack or more cheddar cheese, 1/4 cup (60 ml) ranch dressing or spicy chipotle mayo, 1 small tomato diced (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Beef:
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and onion until fully browned about 5 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Season Beef:
- Add garlic taco seasoning salt pepper and water. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until the beef is well seasoned and moist. Remove from heat.
- Prepare Cheesy Flatbreads:
- Heat a nonstick pan over medium. Place 1 flour tortilla in the pan sprinkle with 1/4 cup cheddar cheese and cover until cheese melts (1–2 minutes).
- Stick Taco Shells:
- Immediately press a crunchy taco shell onto the melted cheese so it adheres. Remove from the pan. Repeat with remaining tortillas cheese and shells.
- Fill & Top:
- Fill each taco shell with seasoned beef. Top with lettuce Monterey Jack or extra cheddar ranch dressing or chipotle mayo and diced tomatoes if desired.
- Serve:
- Serve warm and enjoy.
Save The first time we made these together for game night everyone grabbed seconds and the cheesy wrap-to-crunch combination is now a family go-to taco night favorite.
Required Tools
Large skillet nonstick frying pan spatula knife and cutting board
Allergen Information
Contains wheat (tortillas) milk (cheese ranch) eggs (mayonnaise in ranch) and possible soy (taco shells or ranch)
Nutritional Information
Each taco has about 350 calories 20 g total fat 28 g carbohydrates and 16 g protein
Save Serve these tacos hot for the ultimate texture and cheesy goodness. They are perfect for family taco nights and parties.
Recipe Guide
- → Can I substitute ground beef with other proteins?
Yes, ground turkey or plant-based crumbles work well as alternatives for a different take.
- → How do I get the cheese to stick to the taco shells?
Melt shredded cheddar on a warm tortilla, then press the crunchy shell onto the melted cheese to help it adhere firmly.
- → What sauces pair best with these tacos?
Ranch dressing or a spicy chipotle mayo complement the flavors nicely and add a zesty kick.
- → Can I prepare the components in advance?
Seasoned beef and melted cheese flatbreads can be made ahead and quickly assembled before serving.
- → Are there vegetarian options for this dish?
Yes, swapping beef for plant-based crumbles and using suitable cheese and sauces creates a tasty vegetarian version.