10+ Taco Meat Recipes for Delicious Meals

Taco night is a favorite for many families. Having delicious taco meat as the star ingredient makes all the difference. Whether you prefer traditional ground beef or want to try something different, there are plenty of taco meat recipes to satisfy your cravings. These recipes are easy to make and can fit into a busy weeknight schedule.

With a few common ingredients and simple cooking techniques, you can whip up flavorful taco meat that elevates your next meal. From classic tacos to creative uses of leftovers, this article will guide you through various options that will please your taste buds.

1) Classic Ground Beef Tacos

Classic ground beef tacos are a delicious and easy meal you can make at home. With simple ingredients, you’ll have a tasty dinner ready in no time.

Start by cooking 1 pound (450 grams) of lean ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Once the meat is browned, add taco seasoning. You can use a store-bought packet or make your own with chili powder, paprika, and cumin.

After the beef is well coated with seasoning, warm taco shells in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5 minutes. Fill each shell with the seasoned beef and top with your favorite ingredients like cheese, lettuce, and salsa.

Ingredients

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• Taco shells
• Toppings (cheese, lettuce, salsa)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until browned.
2. Add taco seasoning and stir well.
3. Warm taco shells in the oven at 350°F (175°C).
4. Fill shells with beef and add toppings.

2) Taco Pasta Bake

Taco Pasta Bake is a fun and easy way to enjoy tacos in a new form. This dish combines pasta with seasoned ground beef and beans, all baked in a cheesy, gooey mixture. It makes a hearty meal that is perfect for busy days.

You start by cooking the pasta and browning the beef in a skillet. Then, mix everything together with taco seasoning, cream cheese, and some shredded cheese. Pour it all into a baking dish and bake until it’s bubbly and golden.

Your family will love the flavors, and you’ll appreciate how simple it is to make.

Ingredients

• 8 oz. elbow pasta
• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 can (15 oz.) black beans, drained
• 1 package (1 oz.) taco seasoning
• 4 oz. cream cheese
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cook the pasta according to package directions.
3. In a skillet, brown the ground beef until cooked through.
4. Stir in black beans, taco seasoning, and cream cheese.
5. Combine beef mixture with cooked pasta.
6. Place in a baking dish and top with shredded cheese.
7. Bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly.

3) Spicy Taco Soup

Spicy Taco Soup is a flavorful dish that’s simple to make. You’ll enjoy a mix of ground beef, beans, corn, and zesty spices. It’s perfect for a cozy dinner.

Start by browning ground beef with some chopped onion. Then, add your favorite salsa for a kick. Mix in beans and corn to enhance the texture.

You can adjust the spice level by adding jalapeños or chili powder. This soup is very filling and works well with tortilla chips for dipping.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 cup salsa
• 1 can beans (black or pinto)
• 1 cup corn
• 1-2 jalapeños (optional)
• Taco seasoning to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Brown ground beef with chopped onion in a pot over medium heat.
2. Add salsa, beans, corn, and jalapeños.
3. Stir in taco seasoning and bring to a simmer.
4. Cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve hot.

4) Taco-Stuffed Bell Peppers

Taco-Stuffed Bell Peppers are a fun and tasty way to enjoy your favorite taco flavors. You can make these with simple ingredients, making them perfect for a weeknight dinner.

Start by selecting colorful bell peppers like red, yellow, or orange. You’ll fill them with a mixture of seasoned ground beef, rice, black beans, and diced tomatoes for a hearty meal.

Top them off with cheese, sour cream, or even some crunchy chips for extra flavor. They cook quickly, usually in around 30 minutes!

Ingredients

• 4 bell peppers (any color)
• 1 pound (450 g) lean ground beef
• 1/2 cup (100 g) cooked rice
• 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained
• 1 cup (100 g) shredded cheese
• 2 tablespoons taco seasoning

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds.
3. In a pan, cook the ground beef until browned.
4. Add rice, beans, tomatoes, and taco seasoning to the beef. Mix well.
5. Stuff the bell peppers with the mixture.
6. Place in a baking dish and top with cheese.
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the peppers are tender.

5) Taco Salad with Avocado

Taco salad with avocado is a delicious and healthy meal. It combines fresh veggies with savory taco meat. Top it off with creamy avocado dressing for a burst of flavor.

Start with a base of crispy romaine lettuce. Add your seasoned taco meat, which can be beef, chicken, or beans. Next, mix in diced tomatoes, onions, and black olives for added crunch.

For a tasty dressing, combine mashed avocado with lime juice and cilantro. Drizzle this over your salad for extra creaminess.

Feel free to personalize your salad! Add shredded cheese, jalapeños, or tortilla strips for extra texture. This salad is perfect for a quick lunch or dinner.

Ingredients

• 2-3 cups shredded romaine lettuce
• 8 oz. ground beef (or chicken)
• 1/4 cup red onion, diced
• 1/4 cup black olives, sliced
• 1 ripe avocado
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until brown.
2. In a bowl, mix mashed avocado, lime juice, and cilantro.
3. Toss the lettuce, cooked meat, onion, and olives in a large bowl.
4. Drizzle the avocado dressing on top before serving.

6) Cheesy Taco Nachos

Cheesy taco nachos are a fun and tasty dish you can make at home. They are perfect for parties or movie nights.

To start, you will need some tortilla chips as the base. Then, you add cooked taco meat on top. Ground beef is a common choice, but you can use chicken or turkey if you prefer.

Next, drizzle melted cheese over everything. You can use processed cheese or shredded cheese like cheddar for extra flavor.

Top it off with your favorite toppings like salsa, jalapeños, and sour cream. Cheesy taco nachos are sure to be a hit at your next gathering!

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• Tortilla chips
• 1½ cups shredded cheese (cheddar or your choice)
• Toppings (salsa, jalapeños, sour cream)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cook the ground beef in a skillet until browned. Add taco seasoning and follow package instructions.
3. Spread tortilla chips on a baking sheet.
4. Layer cooked beef and cheese on top of the chips.
5. Bake for about 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
6. Add your favorite toppings before serving. Enjoy!

7) Taco Pizza Delight

Taco Pizza Delight is a fun and tasty twist on traditional taco night. You’ll enjoy the flavors of tacos combined with the comfort of pizza. This dish is perfect for family dinners or casual get-togethers.

To make it, start with your favorite pizza crust. You can use store-bought dough or make your own. Ground beef seasoned with taco spices is a key ingredient, adding that delicious taco flavor.

Top your pizza with beans, cheese, and your choice of fresh toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, and onions.

Ingredients

• 1 package refrigerated pizza dough
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1 can refried beans
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• Fresh lettuce, diced tomatoes, and onions for topping

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Roll out the pizza dough and place it on a baking sheet.
3. Cook the ground beef until browned, then mix in taco seasoning.
4. Spread refried beans on the dough.
5. Add the cooked beef and top with cheese.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the crust is golden.
7. Add fresh toppings before serving.

8) Taco Meat Enchiladas

Taco meat enchiladas are a fun and tasty dish you can easily prepare. You can use leftover taco meat or make fresh taco meat for this recipe. These enchiladas are packed with flavor and are sure to be a hit at your table.

Start by wrapping your taco meat in tortillas. Add some cheese for extra meltiness. You can also include toppings like onions or bell peppers if you like.

Next, pour enchilada sauce over the top and sprinkle more cheese. Bake in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until everything is heated through and the cheese is bubbly.

Enjoy your delicious taco meat enchiladas with your favorite toppings like sour cream or guacamole!

Ingredients

• 2 cups taco meat
• 8 corn or flour tortillas
• 2 cups shredded cheese
• 1 can enchilada sauce
• Optional toppings: chopped onions, bell peppers, sour cream, guacamole

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Lay out tortillas and fill each with taco meat.
3. Add cheese and any optional toppings before rolling them up.
4. Place rolled tortillas in a baking dish.
5. Pour enchilada sauce over the tortillas.
6. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top.
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.

9) Hearty Taco Chili

Hearty Taco Chili is a delicious meal that warms you up on chilly days. It combines seasoned beef, beans, and all the flavors of your favorite tacos. You can make it on the stovetop, in a slow cooker, or with an Instant Pot.

To start, you’ll sauté ground beef until browned. Adding onions and peppers gives a nice flavor boost. Don’t forget to mix in taco seasoning, diced tomatoes, and beans.

You can let it simmer for a while to blend the flavors. Top your chili with sour cream and cheese for extra creaminess.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1 can diced tomatoes (14 oz)
• 1 can black beans (15 oz)
• 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
• Sour cream and cheddar cheese for topping

Cooking Instructions

1. Brown the ground beef in a large pot over medium heat (350°F/175°C).
2. Add diced onion and bell pepper. Sauté until soft.
3. Stir in taco seasoning and diced tomatoes.
4. Add black beans and simmer for 20 minutes.
5. Serve hot and top with sour cream and cheese.

10) Taco Cottage Cheese Bowls

Taco Cottage Cheese Bowls are a quick and healthy meal option. They combine the creaminess of cottage cheese with the savory flavors of taco meat. You can have this dish ready in under 15 minutes.

Start by cooking your ground beef with taco seasoning. Once it’s browned, layer it over a bowl of cottage cheese. Add your favorite toppings like salsa, diced tomatoes, and avocado.

For a twist, consider adding roasted sweet potatoes for extra flavor. You’ll enjoy this high-protein meal that’s easy to prepare and perfect for any time of day.

Ingredients

• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 1 cup cooked ground beef
• ¼ cup salsa
• ½ avocado, sliced
• ¼ cup diced tomatoes
• Taco seasoning

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until browned.
2. Stir in taco seasoning according to package instructions.
3. In a bowl, layer cottage cheese and cooked meat.
4. Top with salsa, avocado, and diced tomatoes.
5. Enjoy!