Hey there friends! Today, I’m bringing you a recipe that has quickly become a beloved staple in my home: Crispy Carne Asada Cheese Tacos. They might be more accurately called quesadillas, but I like to refer to these scrumptious things are tacodillas. Whatever we call them, these little cheesy delights are packed with flavorful ground beef and melted cheese, nestled in perfectly crispy corn tortillas. Not only are they incredibly delicious, but they’re also a fun and easy dinner recipe to make!
How Taco Tuesday Became a Family Tradition
Every Tuesday, my teenage son Sebastien and I dive into the kitchen with our trusty taco cookbook. I snagged him this taco-themed recipe book for Christmas, and it’s been a total game-changer. He gets to pick the recipe and the playlist, and we just roll with it, making memories, laughing at our kitchen fails, and he catches me up on all the new memes. We’re making core memories with food and it’s a really sweet way to make sure I always get some one on one time with my teenager. These Crispy Carne Asada Cheese Tacos? They’re hands-down one of our all-time faves!
How to Make This Recipe
Ingredients
- Corn tortillas
- Shredded Mexican cheese
- Ground beef
- Carne asada seasoning
- Wood fired garlic seasoning
- Chicago Steak Seasoning
- Olive oil or avocado oil
- Salsa or taco sauce to top (optiional)
- Cilantro for garnish (optional)
- Sour cream (optional)
- Lime (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Ground Beef: In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain any excess fat. Add the carne asada seasoning, chicago steak seasoning, and wood fired garlic seasoning, stirring well to combine. Cook for another 5-7 minutes until the beef mixture is flavorful and cooked through. You can add salt to taste but be careful because both spices contain salt already.
- Heat the Tortillas: In a separate hot skillet, heat a small amount of olive oil or avocado oil over medium heat. Add a corn tortilla and sprinkle a generous amount of shredded Mexican cheese over half of the tortilla.
- Add the Beef: Spoon the beef mixture onto the cheese-covered side of the tortilla. Fold the tortilla over to create a taco shape.
- Cook Until Crispy: Cook the taco for about 2-3 minutes on each side, until the tortilla is golden brown and crispy and the cheese is melted.
- Serve and Enjoy: Remove the tacos from the skillet and let them cool slightly on a cutting board before serving. Enjoy with your favorite toppings like sour cream, fresh cilantro, or a squeeze of lime juice!
Modifications to the Recipe
One of the great things about this recipe is its versatility. Here are a few modifications you can try to suit your taste or dietary preferences:
- Different Fillings: Swap out the ground beef for ground turkey, ground chicken, or even a veggie mixture for a lighter option. I’ve done these with ground chicken and even with grilled chicken and they are so delicious.
- Cheese Options: Experiment with different types of cheese like pepper jack, mozzarella, or cheddar cheese to find your perfect melting cheese. Cotija or queso fresco would work great here too.
- Spice It Up: Add red pepper flakes or chili powder to the beef mixture for an extra kick.
- Add Veggies: Incorporate diced bell peppers, onions, or refried beans into the beef mixture for added flavor and nutrition.
If you are looking for other easy weeknight meals that pack a ton of flavor, I encourage you to look at my Ground Chicken Sesame Stir Fry recipe. It pulls together quickly and everyone loves how flavorful these are.
How to Make These Tacos Toddler Friendly
My toddlers are not picky eaters, but I find they eat best when I offer them a variety of options, balancing color, flavor, and aesthetics. I picked up these cute little toddler “lunch” trays from Amazon and it has really elevated dinner time for them!
For this meal, I cut up their taco quesadillas into triangles, serve with cilantro rice (the instant kind from Costco!), a blend of corn and black beans, a scoop of Sisters Salsa (iykyk, it’s a Maine thing!), and some apple slices.
Storing and Reheating
If you happen to have any leftovers (which is rare in my house with a family of seven), store the tacos in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll keep well for 3 days. To reheat, pop them in a 350-degree oven for 5-7 minutes or until heated through. Alternatively, you could pop these tacos in the air fryer to heat through and maintain their crispiness as well. These methods both help maintain their crispy texture.
Why You’ll Love These Tacos
These tacos are the perfect meal for a busy weeknight or a laid-back weekend gathering. They’re quick, easy, and packed with flavor. I cut them up into triangles and my toddlers DEVOUR them. The crispy tortilla and gooey cheese are sure to be a hit with the whole family. They’re also incredibly versatile, allowing you to get creative with different fillings and toppings.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just starting out, these Crispy Carne Asada Cheese Tacos are a great way to bring a little fiesta to your kitchen. They’re easy to make, packed with flavor, and a fun way to spend time with loved ones. Even your toddlers can get involved with this one! I hope you enjoy making these, and if you do I’d love to hear about your experience and any fun modifications you make!
Happy Taco Tuesday from my messy kitchen to yours!
Crispy Carne Asada Ground Beef Taco Quesadillas
Ingredients
- Corn tortillas
- Shredded Mexican cheese
- Ground beef
- Carne asada seasoning
- Wood fired garlic seasoning
- Olive oil or avocado oil
- Salsa or taco sauce to top optiional
- Cilantro for garnish optional
- Sour cream optional
- Lime optional
Instructions
Prepare the Ground Beef:
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the carne asada seasoning and wood fired garlic seasoning, stirring well to combine.
- Cook for another 5-7 minutes until the beef mixture is flavorful and cooked through.
Making the taco quesadilla:
- In a separate hot skillet, heat a small amount of olive oil over medium heat.
- Add a corn tortilla and sprinkle a generous amount of shredded Mexican cheese over half of the tortilla.
- Spoon the beef mixture onto the cheese-covered side of the tortilla.
- Fold the tortilla over to create a taco shape.
- Cook the taco for about 2-3 minutes on each side, until the tortilla is golden brown and crispy and the cheese is melted.
Serve and Enjoy:
- Remove the tacos from the skillet and let them cool slightly on a cutting board before serving.
- Enjoy with your favorite toppings like sour cream, fresh cilantro, taco sauce, or a squeeze of lime juice!