Description
These Crispy Ground Beef Tacos are a delightful twist on a classic favorite, featuring seasoned ground beef and gooey mozzarella cheese folded in flour tortillas and pan-fried to golden, crispy perfection. This recipe combines bold taco flavors with a satisfyingly crunchy texture, making it perfect for a quick and tasty meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Ground 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) taco size flour tortillas
- 2 to 3 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- Avocado or vegetable oil, for frying
- Fresh cilantro, finely chopped, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Sauté Onions: Heat about 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onions and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Cook Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet. Use a large spoon to break it up into small pieces and cook for 4-5 minutes until most of the beef is browned.
- Season Beef Filling: Stir in the tomato paste and taco seasoning. Add water or beef broth if the filling looks dry. Continue cooking for another 3-4 minutes until the beef is fully cooked and most liquid has evaporated. Taste and season with salt as needed. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly before assembling.
- Assemble Tacos: Lay a tortilla flat on a clean surface. Sprinkle about 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons of shredded mozzarella cheese on the top half. Spoon a portion of the beef filling over the cheese, then top with another 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons of cheese. Fold the bottom half of the tortilla over the filling and gently press to seal.
- Prepare Remaining Tacos: Repeat the assembly process for all 8 tacos, transferring each finished taco to 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 they are golden brown and crispy. Transfer the cooked tacos to a wire rack placed over a baking sheet to drain excess oil. Add more oil between batches if necessary to maintain frying temperature.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish the crispy tacos with freshly chopped cilantro if desired. Serve immediately while hot and crispy with your favorite sauce. Enjoy!
Notes
- Use 90/10 ground beef for a good balance of flavor and fat content to avoid greasy tacos.
- You can substitute beef broth for water to intensify the beef flavor in the filling.
- Make sure to cool the beef mixture slightly before assembling to prevent the cheese from melting prematurely.
- Adjust taco seasoning quantity as per your spice preference.
- Use a wire rack to keep tacos crispy after frying instead of placing them on paper towels, which trap steam.
- Serve with salsa, sour cream, or guacamole for added flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
Keywords: ground beef tacos, crispy tacos, pan-fried tacos, cheesy tacos, taco recipe
