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Crispy Baked Tacos with Ground Beef

posted February 5, 2026 by
Cassandra Morris
Crispy baked tacos made in the oven with seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, and avocado lime crema. A simple sheet pan tacos recipe thatโ€™s perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.
Table of Contents
Baked beef tacos with crispy tortillas, seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, and a creamy sauce, garnished with cilantro and lime wedges

Baked Tacos Recipe

Crispy baked tacos made in the oven with seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, and avocado lime crema. A simple sheet pan tacos recipe thatโ€™s perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 4

Ingredients

Taco Seasonings

  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ยฝ teaspoon celery salt
  • ยผ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Taco Ingredients

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 medium yellow onion finely chopped (I throw mine in a food processor to get a super fine chop)
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tablespoon cilantro stems chopped
  • ยผ cup tomato paste
  • 3.5 fl oz (approx scant ยฝ cup) refried beans
  • 6-8 large flour tortillas
  • olive oil for lightly brushing
  • orange cheddar cheese freshly grated

Avocado Lime Crema

  • 2 avocados
  • 2 limes freshly squeezed
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • pinch salt
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves torn

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 400ยฐF.
  • Make the seasoning: In a small bowl, mix together all the taco seasoning ingredients until well combined. Set aside.
  • Cook the beef: Heat a large sautรฉ pan over medium heat. Add the ground beef and finely chopped onion, breaking up the beef into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, until the beef is mostly browned but still slightly red in some spots.
  • Drain the grease: Drain off all but 1 to 2 tablespoons of the accumulated juices. Push the cooked beef to one side of the pan, tilt the pan slightly, and use a dry paper towel to soak up the excess grease.
  • Add garlic and seasoning: Stir in the minced garlic, chopped cilantro stems, and prepared taco seasoning. Cook for another minute, stirring to coat the beef.
  • Add tomato paste: Make a well in the center of the pan and add the tomato paste. Let it cook for about a minute, then stir it into the beef.
  • Finish the filling: Continue cooking until the beef is fully cooked and no pink remains. In the last 2 minutes of cooking, stir in the refried beans until fully incorporated. Remove from heat and set aside.
  • Prep the tortillas: Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the tortillas on the sheet and lightly brush both sides with olive oil using a silicone basting brush.
  • Assemble the tacos: Spoon about โ…“ cup of the beef mixture using a slotted spoon to avoid transferring excess oil onto one half of each tortilla. Continue filling the tortillas until you run out of meat, which usually makes about 8 tacos. Top with grated cheese, fold the tortilla in half, and sprinkle a bit more cheese on top.
  • Bake: Bake for about 15 minutes, or until the tortillas are golden and the cheese is bubbly.
  • Make avocado lime crema: In a food processor, add the avocados, freshly squeezed lime juice, sour cream, salt, and torn cilantro.
  • Blend until smooth: Process until the mixture is creamy and fully blended, scraping down the sides as needed. Give it a quick taste. Add a little more lime juice or salt if needed to balance the flavors to your liking.
  • Serve: Dress the crispy baked tacos with lime wedges, more cilantro, and the avocado lime crema drizzled on top.
Cassandra | Cooking With Cassandra

Hi, I’m Cassandra!

ย Iโ€™m so happy youโ€™re here! Iโ€™m here to spill the beans (and maybe some wine) on the best, tested-till-perfect recipes for every occasion. Whether youโ€™re a beginner or a seasoned pro, all of my recipes come with clear, easy-to-follow step-by-step directions, plus helpful tips and tricks to make cooking delicious meals easy for everyone. Letโ€™s get cooking and make every meal a success!

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Cassandra | Cooking With Cassandra

Hi, I'm Cassandra!

ย Iโ€™m so happy youโ€™re here! Iโ€™m here to spill the beans (and maybe some wine) on the best, tested-till-perfect recipes for every occasion. Whether youโ€™re a beginner or a seasoned pro, all of my recipes come with clear, easy-to-follow step-by-step directions, plus helpful tips and tricks to make cooking delicious meals easy for everyone. Letโ€™s get cooking and make every meal a success!

More about me

Never miss a recipe!

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