Ingredients
For the Beef Tacos
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
- 1 shallot or small onion, peeled and finely chopped
- 500 g / 1 lb lean ground beef (can substitute with ground chicken or ground turkey)
- 1 can (10 oz / 284 ml) Rotel canned chopped tomatoes and green chiles (or finely chopped tomatoes)
- 1 tablespoon chili powder (chipotle chili powder preferred)
- 1½ teaspoons ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt or more to taste
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For Assembling
- 15 oz can of black beans, rinsed and drained
- 14-18 taco shells
- 2-3 cups shredded TexMex cheese or Monterey Jack cheese
Toppings (optional)
- Shredded cheese
- Shredded lettuce or cabbage
- Chopped tomatoes or pico de gallo
- Chopped red onion
- Sour cream
- Taco sauce
- Salsa
- Fresh coriander/cilantro
- Jalapenos
- Hot sauce or chili sauce
- Pickled chillies
- Guacamole
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (204°C) to prepare for baking the taco shells and the final taco assembly.
- Cook the beef mixture: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic, chopped shallot or onion, and lean ground beef. Cook while breaking the beef into small pieces until browned, about 7-10 minutes.
- Add spices: Sprinkle chili powder, ground cumin, paprika, dried oregano, salt, and freshly ground black pepper over the beef. Stir and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to release the flavors.
- Simmer with tomatoes: Stir in the canned chopped tomatoes and green chiles. Let the mixture simmer for 7-10 minutes until most of the juice has cooked off, thickening the filling.
- Prepare taco shells: Arrange taco shells in a 9 x 13 inch casserole or baking dish. Bake the shells for 5 minutes if using a light-colored dish, or 3 minutes if using a dark dish. Remove carefully from the oven to prevent burning.
- Assemble tacos: Sprinkle shredded cheese at the bottom of each taco shell. Add a layer of black beans, followed by the cooked ground beef mixture. Top with the remaining shredded cheese.
- Bake tacos: Place the assembled tacos back into the oven and bake uncovered for 7-10 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and bubbly.
- Serve with toppings: Remove from oven and add your choice of optional toppings such as shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, sour cream, salsa, guacamole, and hot sauce. Serve the tacos hot and fresh, allowing everyone to customize their own taco.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with ground chicken or turkey for a leaner option.
- Using chipotle chili powder adds a smoky depth of flavor, but regular chili powder works well too.
- If you like crispier taco shells, bake them a few minutes longer before assembling.
- Leftover taco filling can be refrigerated and used for taco salads or burritos.
- Adjust the spice level by adding more or less chili powder and jalapenos according to your taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: TexMex
