Pin A budget-friendly twist on the fast-food favorite, these tacos feature a soft cheesy flatbread wrapped around a crunchy taco shell filled with seasoned beef, lettuce, and zesty sauce.
I enjoy making these tacos because they bring the fast-food taste I love right into my kitchen with fresh ingredients.
Ingredients
- Meat: 1/2 lb (225 g) ground beef, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp chili powder, 1/4 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp onion powder
- Flatbread & Shells: 4 small flour tortillas (soft taco size), 4 crunchy taco shells
- Cheese: 1 1/2 cups (150 g) shredded cheddar cheese
- Toppings: 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce, 1/2 cup diced tomatoes (optional), 1/4 cup Taco Bell-style creamy chipotle or spicy ranch sauce (or substitute with store-bought ranch mixed with a dash of hot sauce)
Instructions
- Step 1:
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, breaking it up with a spatula. Add salt, cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, and onion powder. Cook for 6–8 minutes until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Step 2:
- Heat a large nonstick skillet over low-medium heat. Place a flour tortilla in the skillet, sprinkle 1/4 cup of shredded cheddar on one half, then top with another 1/4 cup on the other half. Cover and cook for 1–2 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the tortilla is warm.
- Step 3:
- Immediately wrap each cheesy tortilla around a crunchy taco shell, pressing gently to adhere. Repeat for all tortillas and shells.
- Step 4:
- Fill each taco shell with a portion of seasoned beef.
- Step 5:
- Top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes (if using), and a drizzle of creamy chipotle or spicy ranch sauce.
- Step 6:
- Serve immediately while shells are crunchy and cheese is melty.
Pin These tacos always bring smiles to my family gatherings and are a hit during casual dinners.
Required Tools
Large skillet, Nonstick skillet or griddle, Spatula, Measuring spoons
Allergen Information
Contains dairy (cheese, sauce), gluten (flour tortillas, taco shells). Check sauce and seasoning labels for gluten, soy, or egg if allergies are a concern.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 390, Total Fat: 22 g, Carbohydrates: 29 g, Protein: 18 g (per serving)
Pin Enjoy these cheesy gordita crunch tacos fresh for the best combination of textures and flavors.
Recipe Q&A
- → How do you melt the cheese without burning the tortilla?
Use a low to medium heat and cover the tortilla while cooking. This traps heat and melts the cheese evenly without crisping the tortilla too much.
- → What spices give the beef its distinctive flavor?
A blend of cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic, and onion powders adds warmth and depth to the ground beef.
- → Can I make this dish vegetarian?
Yes, substitute the ground beef with seasoned black beans or plant-based crumbles for a meatless version while keeping all other components the same.
- → What’s the best way to keep taco shells crunchy?
Assemble just before serving and avoid covering the shells with wet ingredients until ready to eat to maintain crispness.
- → What sauces work well with this dish?
Creamy chipotle or spicy ranch sauces complement the flavors well, but you can also use variations like a zesty lime crema or mild salsa.