Tacos
Make taco Tuesday a breeze with these tacos. Seasoned ground beef, onions, and peppers, topped with cheese, vegetables, and zesty garnishes.
These basic ground beef tacos are a weeknight favorite. They come together quickly in a skillet, using pantry spices and a splash of tomato sauce for saucy, bold flavor. The onions and green pepper add flavor and texture, while a little hot sauce brings just enough heat.
You can serve the taco meat in crispy shells or soft tortillas—whichever you prefer. Set out a variety of toppings like cheese, tomatoes, avocado, and sour cream, and let everyone customize their own. It’s a fun and easy dinner for Taco Tuesday or any casual night.
What You’ll Like About This Dish
Fast and flavorful. Cooks in one skillet and ready in about 30 minutes.
Family friendly. Everyone can build their own tacos with favorite toppings.
Great for gatherings. Easily doubled or tripled for parties or game day.
Ingredient Notes
- Ground beef: Use lean ground beef for less grease. Ground turkey or chicken also work.
- Onion: Yellow or white onion adds savory flavor and sweetness.
- Green pepper: Adds color and texture; substitute red or yellow bell pepper if preferred.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic boosts the savory depth.
- Tomato sauce: Creates a lightly sauced mixture. An 8-ounce can is just right.
- Chili powder: Adds classic taco flavor. Adjust to taste.
- Salt and pepper: Season to balance the flavors.
- Hot pepper sauce: Optional, for a little kick—use your favorite hot sauce.
- Taco shells or tortillas: Use crispy shells or warmed soft tortillas.
- Toppings: Shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped lettuce and tomato, guacamole, and taco sauce are all great choices.
Steps to Make Tacos
- Cook the ground beef with the onion, green pepper, and garlic in a skillet until the meat is no longer pink and the vegetables are tender.
- Stir in the tomato sauce, chili powder, salt, pepper, and hot sauce.
- Simmer uncovered until the mixture thickens and is heated through.
- Spoon the filling into taco shells or tortillas and serve with desired toppings.
Tips
- Drain excess fat after browning the beef if using regular ground beef.
- For softer veggies, cook the onions and peppers a bit longer before adding meat.
- Make it ahead and reheat the filling for quick meals during the week.
- Keep tortillas warm by wrapping them in foil or a clean towel.
Recipe Variations
- Turkey tacos. Use ground turkey instead of beef for a lighter option.
- Spicy beef. Add diced jalapeños or use extra chili powder and cayenne.
- Vegetable tacos. Add corn, beans, or zucchini to the beef mixture for more bulk.
- Taco salad. Serve the filling over shredded lettuce with chips and toppings.
- Cheesy tacos. Stir shredded cheese into the hot filling just before serving.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with Mexican rice, refried beans, or black beans on the side.
- Add a fresh topping like pico de gallo or sliced avocado.
- Pair with tortilla chips and guacamole or a zesty corn salad.
- Include jalapeños, lime wedges, or pickled onions for garnish.
How to Store
Refrigerate: Store leftover taco meat in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freeze: Freeze the cooked meat mixture in a freezer bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
To Reheat: Warm the taco filling in a skillet over medium heat or microwave in short bursts, stirring occasionally until hot.
Tacos
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef, lean
- 1 cup onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup green pepper, chopped
- 1 clove garlic, crushed and minced
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
- 12 taco shells , or tortillas, warmed
Optional Garnishes and Toppings
- Sour cream
- Guacamole
- Chopped lettuce
- Chopped tomatoes
- Shredded cheese, cheddar or Monterey Jack
- Taco sauce
Instructions
- Sauté the ground beef with the onions, peppers, and garlic over medium heat until the onion is translucent and the beef is no longer pink.
- Add the tomato sauce, chili powder, salt, pepper, and hot sauce to the skillet.
- Cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is thick and hot. Taste and adjust the seasonings.
- Spoon the meat mixture into taco shells or serve with flour tortillas and your choice of garnishes and sides.
Nutrition
Disclaimer:
Our nutritional information is based on a third-party application that analyzes the ingredients list to determine the values. The information is meant to be helpful, but should be considered an estimate. Values may differ depending on measurements, brands, serving variations, and database availability.
