By admin [ad_1]
This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.
Baked Chipotle Beef and Melted Cheese Tacos. Taco-seasoned ground beef cooked and stuffed into chipotle sauce–dipped tortillas with melty cheese. Bake on a sheet pan until the edges of each taco get a little crispy and the cheese is perfectly melted. Finish each taco with lime, cilantro, avocado, and lots of spicy chipotle sauce. They’re crispy-ish, Birria-style (but way easier) tacos that are no fuss and quick to make. Everyone in the family will love these for taco night!
Naming recipes can be so hard sometimes. These could be called so many different things! In the end, no matter what you call them, they’re just plain delicious.
Inspired by dipped Birria tacos, but made in a fraction of the time with ground beef and a can of enchilada sauce. I’ve been making these all month long, and we can’t get enough of the crispy edges, the melty cheese, and that chipotle sauce. My family is officially obsessed.
I’ve been serving each dipped, baked taco with grilled corn salsa and chunks of avocado tossed in lime and salt. Nothing fancy! But the chipotle sauce on the side? That’s non-negotiable—I double the recipe every time.
Here are the details
Ingredients – for the chipotle sauce
- red enchilada sauce
- canned chipotle chilies in adobo
- dried oregano
- apple cider vinegar
- salted butter
- cinnamon
Ingredients – for the tacos
- ground beef – or use ground chicken
- a yellow onion
- taco seasoning
- corn tortillas
- mixed Mexican cheeses – I love a spicy cheddar, colby jack, and pepper jack blend
- Monterey Jack cheese
- chopped cilantro
- cubed or sliced avocado
- lime zest and lime juice
- grilled corn or corn salsa
Special Tools
You’ll need a skillet. I recommend an 11-inch cast-iron skillet. And a sheet pan.
Steps
Step 1: Make the chipotle sauce
Pour a can of red enchilada sauce into the blender with the chipotle chilies, oregano, and vinegar. Blend until smooth.
Now pour the sauce into a shallow skillet. Add a few tablespoons of butter and the cinnamon stick (or use ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon). Fill the empty enchilada sauce can with water and add that to the skillet too.
Simmer until the sauce is combined and warmed through, then season with a pinch of salt.
Step 2: Cook the beef
In a large skillet, cook the ground beef (or chicken) with the onions and taco seasoning until the meat is mostly cooked through, about 10 minutes. The aroma will be incredible!
I love to make my own seasoning using chili powder, chipotle chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.
Add water to the skillet and simmer until the sauce thickens around the meat.
Step 3: Assemble and bake the tacos
Dip each corn tortilla into the warm chipotle sauce, then arrange on a baking sheet. Fill with cheese and the seasoned meat.
Bake for about 15 mins, until the taco edges are crispy and the cheese has melted.
Serve
Top with avocado tossed in lime zest, juice, and sea salt, plus fresh cilantro and grilled corn. Serve the extra chipotle sauce on the side for dipping—each bite is even better dunked into that warm, smoky sauce.
Looking for more simple weeknight recipes? Here are a few favorites:
Crispy Cider Braised White Chili Chicken Tacos
Crispy Jalapeño Cream Cheese Buffalo Chicken Taquitos
Sheet Pan Buffalo Chicken Pizza
Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken Tortilla Soup with Salty Lime Chips
Healthier Homemade Crunchwrap Supreme
Crispy Chipotle Chicken Tacos with Cilantro Lime Ranch
Crockpot Crispy Buffalo Chicken Tacos
Baked Chipotle Beef and Melted Cheese Tacos
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 641 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
-
1. To make the Chipotle sauce. Combine everything, except the cinnamon and butter, in a blender. Blend until smooth. Pour the sauce into a skillet set over medium heat. Add the cinnamon and butter. Fill the empty enchilada can with water, add it to the sauce. Simmer over medium-low heat until combined and steaming. Season as needed with salt. 2. The Tacos. Preheat the oven to 425° F.3. In a large skillet, cook the beef, onion, and taco seasoning, breaking up the meat as it cooks, until browned, 10 minutes. Add 3/4 cup water. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the sauce has thickened around the meat, about 5 minutes. 4. To assemble, dip each tortilla into the chipotle sauce, coating both sides. Place the dipped tortillas on a baking sheet. Add a small handful of shredded cheese to one half of each tortilla, then spoon over the meat and add a sprinkle more cheese. Fold the tortillas in half, pressing to close. Bake for 10 minutes, flip each taco, and bake another 5 minutes. 5. Serve the tacos with a squeeze of lime, cilantro, avocado, and chipotle sauce for dipping. If desired, add grilled corn too!
Taco Seasoning: Mix 2 tablespoons chili powder, 2 teaspoons chipotle chili powder, 2 teaspoons smoked paprika, 2 teaspoons ground cumin, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 2 teaspoons onion powder, and 2 teaspoons salt.
[ad_2]