Crispy Baked Tacos with Buffalo Ranch
Crispy Baked Tacos with Buffalo Ranch
Ingredients
For the Crispy Baked Tacos
- 1 pound ground beef, 80/20 lean
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning, Southwest blend
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 12 corn tortillas, 6-inch
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese blend, cheddar and Monterey Jack
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lime, cut into wedges, for serving
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
For the Buffalo Ranch Sauce
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning, dry blend
- 1/4 cup buffalo sauce
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for easier cleanup.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 400
- 2
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it apart with a meat chopper or spatula until no longer pink. Drain any excess fat.
⏱️ 7 min
- 3
Stir in the taco seasoning and 1/4 cup of water. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of cold water to create a slurry. Add the slurry to the beef mixture, stirring constantly, and simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef, making it 'nice and saucy'. Remove from heat.
⏱️ 5 min
- 4
While the beef simmers, prepare the Buffalo Ranch Sauce. In a medium bowl, combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, dry ranch seasoning, and buffalo sauce. Whisk until smooth and well combined. Set aside.
⏱️ 5 min
- 5
Lightly brush both sides of each corn tortilla with olive oil. Arrange the oiled tortillas in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
⏱️ 3 min
- 6
Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded cheese over half of each tortilla. Then, spoon a portion of the seasoned ground beef over the cheese. This will be the 'open-faced' stage.
⏱️ 5 min
- 7
Bake the tortillas in the preheated oven for 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the tortillas are softened. This melted cheese will act as a 'glue'.
⏱️ 7 min•🌡️ 400
- 8
Carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven. Using tongs or a spatula, gently fold each tortilla in half to create the taco shape. Return the folded tacos to the oven.
⏱️ 3 min•🌡️ 400
- 9
Continue baking for another 10-12 minutes, or until the tacos are golden brown and 'nice and crispy'. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning.
⏱️ 12 min•🌡️ 400
- 10
Remove the crispy baked tacos from the oven. Garnish with fresh lime wedges and chopped cilantro. Serve immediately with the homemade Buffalo Ranch Sauce for dipping.
⏱️ 2 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Crispy Baked Tacos with Buffalo Ranch
Ingredients
For the Crispy Baked Tacos
- 1 pound ground beef, 80/20 lean
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning, Southwest blend
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 12 corn tortillas, 6-inch
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese blend, cheddar and Monterey Jack
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lime, cut into wedges, for serving
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
For the Buffalo Ranch Sauce
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning, dry blend
- 1/4 cup buffalo sauce
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for easier cleanup.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 400 - 2
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it apart with a meat chopper or spatula until no longer pink. Drain any excess fat.
⏱️ 7 min - 3
Stir in the taco seasoning and 1/4 cup of water. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of cold water to create a slurry. Add the slurry to the beef mixture, stirring constantly, and simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef, making it 'nice and saucy'. Remove from heat.
⏱️ 5 min - 4
While the beef simmers, prepare the Buffalo Ranch Sauce. In a medium bowl, combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, dry ranch seasoning, and buffalo sauce. Whisk until smooth and well combined. Set aside.
⏱️ 5 min - 5
Lightly brush both sides of each corn tortilla with olive oil. Arrange the oiled tortillas in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
⏱️ 3 min - 6
Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded cheese over half of each tortilla. Then, spoon a portion of the seasoned ground beef over the cheese. This will be the 'open-faced' stage.
⏱️ 5 min - 7
Bake the tortillas in the preheated oven for 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the tortillas are softened. This melted cheese will act as a 'glue'.
⏱️ 7 min•🌡️ 400 - 8
Carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven. Using tongs or a spatula, gently fold each tortilla in half to create the taco shape. Return the folded tacos to the oven.
⏱️ 3 min•🌡️ 400 - 9
Continue baking for another 10-12 minutes, or until the tacos are golden brown and 'nice and crispy'. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning.
⏱️ 12 min•🌡️ 400 - 10
Remove the crispy baked tacos from the oven. Garnish with fresh lime wedges and chopped cilantro. Serve immediately with the homemade Buffalo Ranch Sauce for dipping.
⏱️ 2 min