DinnerCountBeef Tacos
Taco night is the dinner where everyone builds their own, so nobody argues about what goes on top. The beef cooks in one skillet with taco seasoning, the refried beans warm in a small pot, and the hard shells crisp in the oven. Set out the lettuce, tomato, cheese, salsa and sour cream, and let the table do the rest.
25 minServes 4 as writtenStovetopMexicanContains Milk, Wheat
Ingredients — serves 4
- Ground beef1 lb
- Taco seasoning packet1 packet (1 oz)
- Hard taco shells8 shells
- Shredded cheese (Mexican blend)1 cup
- Lettuce¼ head
- Tomato½ each
- Sour cream¼ cup
- Salsa¼ cup
- Refried beans (canned)½ can (16 oz)
How much to make for 2, 4, 6 or 8
| Ingredient | For 2 | For 4 | For 6 | For 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground beef | ½ lb | 1 lb | 1½ lb | 2 lb |
| Taco seasoning packet | ½ packet (1 oz) | 1 packet (1 oz) | 1½ packets (1 oz) | 2 packets (1 oz) |
| Hard taco shells | 4 shells | 8 shells | 12 shells | 16 shells |
| Shredded cheese (Mexican blend) | ½ cup | 1 cup | 1½ cups | 2 cups |
| Lettuce | ¼ head | ¼ head | ½ head | ½ head |
| Tomato | ¼ each | ½ each | ¾ each | 1 each |
| Sour cream | 2 tbsp | ¼ cup | ½ cup | ½ cup |
| Salsa | 2 tbsp | ¼ cup | ½ cup | ½ cup |
| Refried beans (canned) | ¼ can (16 oz) | ½ can (16 oz) | ¾ can (16 oz) | 1 can (16 oz) |
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Steps
- Put the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, for 6 to 8 minutes. Check that no pink remains and it reads 160°F on a thermometer. Tip the skillet and spoon off the fat.
- Stir in the taco seasoning — the share of the packet on the list — and the water the packet asks for (about ¾ cup for a whole packet, less for part of one). Turn the heat down to low and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring once or twice. Check that the liquid has thickened into a sauce that clings to the meat.
- Warm the refried beans in a small pot over low heat for about 3 minutes, stirring. Check that they are hot through. Warm the taco shells in the oven per the box.
- Shred the lettuce and chop the tomato. Set out the shells, the beef, the beans, the cheese, the lettuce, tomato, sour cream and salsa so everyone builds their own.
Good to know
- Contains Milk, Wheat — from the ingredient names, so not a complete list. It cannot see inside a jar, a mix or a sauce, and formulas change. For an allergy or intolerance, read the package every time — never decide from this line.
- 🌡 Ground beef — cook to 160°F at the thickest part , the USDA minimum for ground meat. A thermometer is the test; color is not.
- 🌶 Mild heat — from taco or fajita seasoning, salsa. For younger or sensitive eaters: mild versions of the packet exist — or use two thirds of it; and buy the mild jar — the difference is entirely in the jar, not the recipe.