Beef Tacos Hard Shells (Print Version)

Crispy shells filled with seasoned beef, fresh toppings, and a zesty kick for a tasty main dish.

# What You Need:

→ Beef Filling

01 - 1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend recommended)
02 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning
05 - 2/3 cup water
06 - 1 tbsp tomato paste (optional)

→ Shells

07 - 8 hard corn taco shells

→ Toppings

08 - 1 cup shredded lettuce
09 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
10 - 1 medium tomato, diced
11 - 1/2 cup sour cream
12 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
13 - 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced (optional)
14 - Salsa or hot sauce, to taste
15 - Lime wedges, for serving

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Arrange the taco shells on a baking sheet and warm in the oven for 5 minutes until crisp.
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until browned, about 5 to 6 minutes.
03 - Add chopped onion and sauté until softened, about 2 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Sprinkle in taco seasoning and add tomato paste if using. Mix well to combine. Pour in water, reduce heat to medium, and simmer for 4 to 5 minutes until sauce has thickened.
05 - Remove taco shells from the oven. Spoon the beef mixture evenly into each shell.
06 - Top with lettuce, cheese, diced tomato, sour cream, cilantro, jalapeño, and salsa as desired. Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The beef filling simmers in its own spices, creating depth that store-bought seasoning alone cannot achieve
  • Warming the shells transforms them from brittle to perfectly crisp, preventing that sad taco breakage halfway through eating
  • The fresh toppings balance the rich seasoned beef so every bite hits multiple flavor notes
02 -
  • Cold taco shells crack instantly when you try to fill them, while warm shells bend slightly without breaking
  • The beef filling needs those few minutes of simmering to absorb the seasoning fully, so do not rush this step
  • Overfilling shells is the mistake everyone makes, leaving enough room to actually close them around the toppings
03 -
  • Drain excess fat from the beef before adding seasoning if you prefer a lighter filling
  • Set up toppings in small bowls so everyone can customize their own tacos exactly how they like them

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