Old El Paso Style Beef Tacos Recipe Easy Family Dinner Classic Made Perfect
A quick and easy Old El Paso style beef tacos recipe perfect for busy weeknight family dinners. This recipe balances savory and spicy flavors and comes together in about 30 minutes using pantry staples.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef (80/20 blend recommended)
- 1 packet (about 1 oz) Old El Paso taco seasoning mix
- 1 can (14.5 oz / 411g) diced tomatoes, fire-roasted preferred
- 1 medium onion, diced (about 1 cup)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 teaspoon)
- 12 Old El Paso taco shells
- 1 cup (100g) shredded cheddar cheese
- Optional toppings: shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, sliced jalapeños, fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Prep your ingredients first: dice the onion, mince the garlic, and shred the cheddar if needed (5 minutes).
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown the ground beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Drain excess grease if more than 2 tablespoons remain (6–8 minutes).
- Push the beef to one side of the pan and sauté the diced onion and minced garlic in the empty space until the onion is translucent and sweet-smelling (about 3 minutes).
- Sprinkle the Old El Paso taco seasoning over the beef and stir well. Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juices and stir to combine, scraping up any brown bits from the pan (2 minutes).
- Lower heat to medium-low and simmer the mixture until thickened and flavors blend, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Warm the taco shells according to package instructions, usually in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 3 minutes.
- Assemble tacos by spooning the beef mixture into warm shells, topping with shredded cheddar and your favorite optional toppings. Serve immediately.
Notes
Brown the beef well for maximum flavor and drain excess grease to avoid soggy tacos. Simmer the filling until thickened to ensure the sauce clings to the beef. Warm taco shells just before serving to keep them crispy. Use fresh toppings like lettuce and cilantro to brighten flavors. Leftover beef filling can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months. Reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of water or broth.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving equals app
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 22
Keywords: Old El Paso, beef tacos, easy dinner, family meal, taco recipe, quick tacos, weeknight dinner