Description
These Crispy Ground Beef Tacos are a delicious and satisfying meal featuring seasoned ground beef cooked with onions and tomato paste, folded into tortillas with mozzarella cheese, then pan-fried until golden and crispy. Perfect for taco lovers craving a flavorful and crunchy twist on the classic taco experience, garnished with fresh cilantro and ready to enjoy hot.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Filling
- 1 pound 90/10 ground beef
- 1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/4 cup water or beef broth, as needed
- Salt to taste
Tacos
- 8 (6 inch) flour tortillas
- 2 to 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Avocado or vegetable oil for frying
- Fresh cilantro, finely chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook Onions: Heat about 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onions and cook until softened, around 2-3 minutes.
- Brown the Beef: Add in the ground beef, breaking it up with a large spoon. Cook until most of the beef is browned, approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Season the Beef Filling: Stir in the tomato paste and taco seasoning. If the mixture seems dry, add water or beef broth. Continue cooking until the beef is fully cooked and most of the liquid has evaporated, about 3-4 minutes. Season with salt to taste. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Assemble Tacos: Lay a tortilla flat on a clean surface. Spread 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons of mozzarella cheese on the top half, spoon over beef filling, then top with another 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons of cheese. Fold the bottom half of the tortilla over to enclose the filling, pressing gently to seal.
- Prepare All Tacos: Repeat the assembly process for all 8 tacos and place them on a large baking sheet.
- Pan Fry Tacos: Heat 3-4 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry the tacos in batches, about 1 minute per side, until golden brown and crispy. Add more oil as needed between batches. Transfer fried tacos to a wire rack over a baking sheet to drain excess oil.
- Serve: Garnish tacos with fresh chopped cilantro if desired. Serve immediately while hot and crispy, with your favorite sauces or sides.
Notes
- Use 90/10 ground beef for a good balance of flavor and less grease.
- Adjust seasoning and salt according to taste.
- Be careful when frying the tacos to avoid oil splatters and ensure even browning.
- Use a wire rack to keep tacos crispy after frying by allowing excess oil to drain.
- For extra flavor, add sliced avocado or salsa as garnish or side options.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Entree
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
Keywords: Crispy ground beef tacos, pan fried tacos, cheesy beef tacos, easy taco recipe, Mexican taco recipe
