Oven-Baked Ground Beef Tacos

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp Canola oil or other neutral oil
• 1/2 cup Yellow onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 lb Ground beef, 85% lean
• 1 tbsp Chili powder
• 2 tsp Ground cumin
• 1 tsp Smoked paprika
• 1 tsp Dried oregano
• 1 tsp Kosher salt
• 1 tbsp Tomato paste
• 1/2 cup Beef broth
• 12 Hard taco shells
• 1 1/2 cups Shredded sharp cheddar or Mexican cheese blend
• For serving Optional Toppings: shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, salsa, pickled jalapeños

Steps

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 375°F. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, warm the oil. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes.

2. 2

   Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

3. 3

   Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until fully browned, about 6-8 minutes. Drain off any excess fat.

4. 4

   Reduce the heat to medium. Stir in the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, and salt, and cook for 1 minute until the spices are aromatic.

5. 5

   Add the tomato paste and beef broth, stirring to combine everything. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook until the liquid has reduced and the filling is thick, about 3-5 minutes.

6. 6

   Arrange the taco shells standing up in a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spoon the beef mixture evenly into the shells.

7. 7

   Sprinkle the cheese over the beef filling in each shell.

8. 8

   Bake for 7-10 minutes, until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly and the taco shells are lightly toasted.

9. 9

   Serve immediately, allowing everyone to customize their tacos with fresh toppings.