Oven Baked Beef Tacos

Let’s make tacos! These oven baked tacos with beef, beans, and cheese are simple and delicious. They get super crispy when baked for a satisfying crunch. Plus, they’re easy to customize with your favorite fillings and toppings. 

Oven baked tacos with beef

If I had it my way, every day would be Taco Tuesday. 

Tacos are one of my favorite foods because there are so many ways to dress them up or down. From buffalo chicken baked tacos to vegan tempeh tacos, there are endless flavor combinations to be explored. 

Today’s taco-spectacular is taking things back to the basics with my beef baked tacos!

The fillings are super simple, including cheddar cheese, seasoned ground beef, and refried beans. They’re perfect for the entire family, suiting kids, picky eaters, and everyone in between. 

Best of all, you can upgrade these tacos with tasty toppings and optional add-ins. 

So, let’s get cooking!

Ingredients needed

Here’s a little bit about everything that goes into my oven baked tacos with beef:

• Olive oil: This recipe calls for 2 tbsp of olive or avocado oil to fry the onion. 
• Yellow onion: 1 small diced yellow onion adds excellent flavor and texture to the ground beef.
• Ground beef: I opted for 1lb of 90/10 ground beef for the base of these tacos. You can easily swap this for the protein of your choice, from shredded chicken to plant-based crumbles.
• Mexican spice mix: For the perfect Mexican spice blend, I mix 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp pepper, 1.5 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp smoked paprika, ½ tsp cumin, ¼ tsp cayenne powder, ¼ tsp garlic powder, and ½ tsp oregano.
• Cilantro: ¼ cup of cilantro gives these simple tacos a lovely depth and brightness. If you’re a cilantro hater, skip this ingredient or swap it for parsley. 
• Corn tortillas: Corn tortillas are the classic choice for tacos. This recipe calls for twelve 6” tortillas. 
• Refried beans: I add one 16 oz can of refried beans to the taco filling for additional protein. 
• Cheddar cheese: 1.5 cups of cheddar cheese helps bind these oven baked tacos while adding plenty of delicious cheesy flavor. 
• Guacamole: Fresh guacamole gives these tacos a boost of healthy fats and a bright flavor. 
• Sour cream: Include some sour cream on top of your beef baked tacos for a creamy addition.
• Salsa: Because the ingredients are so simple, these tacos will pair well with just about any salsa. Try pico de gallo, salsa verde, or smoky chipotle salsa. 

Kitchen tools required

You’ll need a few kitchen essentials to complete this taco recipe, including:

• Saucepan
• Two baking trays 
• Spatula
• Cooking spray

You’ll also need to gather a few measuring cups, including 1 cup, ½ cup, ¼ cup, 1 tbsp, 1 tsp, ½ tsp, and ¼ tsp. 

How to make oven baked beef tacos

Making these oven baked tacos is easy. Here’s how to do it!

Cook Mexican seasoned beef

To start, preheat your oven to 425 F. 

Next, add 2 tbsp of olive or avocado oil to a saucepan. Add 1 small diced yellow onion to your heated pan, cooking for 3-4 minutes until the onion is turning translucent. 

Add 1lb of ground beef to your saucepan and cook until there is just a small bit of pink left. 

Then, add your seasoning mix, including 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp pepper, 1.5 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp smoked paprika, ½ tsp cumin, ¼ tsp cayenne pepper, ¼ tsp garlic powder, and ½ tsp oregano. Mix until combined. 

Finally, add ¼ cup of chopped cilantro to the pan, mix well, and turn off the heat. 

Assemble and bake beef tacos

Prep your tortillas by microwaving them for 15 seconds – this will make them soft and pliable. 

Lay 12 tortillas over two baking sheets, spraying both sides with a bit of avocado oil. 

Spread refried beans on half of each tortilla. Then, add ¼ cup of taco meat to each tortilla on top of the bean base. Finally, sprinkle 2 tbsp of shredded cheese on the other side of the tortilla.

Repeat for all 12 tortillas. 

Bake your tacos “open-faced” for three minutes. Then, remove your sheet pans from the oven and use a spatula to gently close each taco.

Bake for an additional 8-10 minutes. Optionally, broil your tacos for the final 2-3 minutes for an extra crunchy texture. 

Top with more fresh cilantro and your favorite taco fixings!

Recipe tips

Below are some common beef baked taco questions. Don’t see the answer you’re looking for? Leave a comment at the bottom of this post!

How to serve beef baked tacos

These oven baked tacos are best served hot from the oven. Serve with toppings like extra chopped cilantro, guacamole, salsa, sour cream, jalapenos, and pickled red onion. 

Beef baked tacos are delicious on their own, but could be elevated with a tasty side dish! Try it with my healthy Mexican street corn salad or Mexican quinoa salad.

Can I make this recipe vegetarian? 

You can easily make this recipe vegetarian by swapping ground beef for a plant-based ground like Beyond Beef Crumbles. Also, check your refried beans’ ingredients to make sure they don’t include any lard. 

You can even make this recipe vegan if you prefer – just swap cheddar cheese for dairy-free shredded cheese.

Storing leftovers

To store leftover oven baked tacos, allow them to cool completely before adding them to an airtight container. You can store them in the refrigerator for up to three days.

I recommend baking or air frying to reheat; this will restore some of that crispy texture. 

If you’re planning on meal prepping this recipe, store your cooked beef separately from the other components. Then, assemble and bake your tacos when you’re ready to eat. 

If you liked this recipe, you’ll want to try these!

Are you craving more Mexican-inspired meals? These tasty recipes are all packed with major flavor:

• Mexican Quinoa Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing
• Crispy Shrimp Tostadas
• One-Pan Baked Chicken Fajitas
• Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup
• Mexican Quinoa Casserole

All recipes by Erin Morrissey and Photos by Sierra Inn