Our oven-baked tacos are packed with lean ground beef, refried beans, and diced tomatoes, topped with cheese then baked. A simple dinner that kids love! Gluten-free.
Oven-baked tacos with hard shells put a unique twist on Taco Tuesday, making dinner time even more fun for the family. These tacos are assembled, baked then customized with toppings all in under 30 minutes. Simple, flavor-packed, and kid approved!
We have you covered with many more popular taco recipes too. From Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Tacos and Nacho Fries (Taco Bell) to Taco Quesadillas and Taco Pasta Bake. All delicious gluten-free dinner ideas!
Feeding A Crowd Gluten-Free
Not only are these crispy oven-baked tacos great for weeknight dinners, but it is a fantastic recipe when feeding a crowd. Making up to 10 tacos per recipe, you can easily bake enough to feed any size group. Perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, Superbowl parties and our favorite, Cinco de Mayo!
If looking to make a large spread of gluten-free recipes for your guests, we have you covered with our Dairy Free Deviled Eggs, Dairy Free Chicken Buffalo Dip, Smore Charcuterie Board, Gluten Free Charcuterie Board, Gluten Free Chicken Meatballs, Buffalo Chicken Drumsticks and Instant Pot Frozen Chicken Wings.
Now to get started on these beef tacos! Gather the equipment and ingredients then follow the written directions or use the printable recipe card below. Enjoy!
Equipment
- 9 x 13 inch baking pan
- large skillet
- spatula
- measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef ✅
- 16 ounce refried beans ✅
- 14.5 ounce diced tomatoes, drained ✅
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder ✅
- 1 teaspoon onion powder ✅
- 1 teaspoon cumin ✅
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes ✅
- 10 taco shells ✅
- 1/2 cup Mexican cheese ✅
- 1 tomato, diced
- 1/2 cup shredded lettuce
Gluten-Free Guide: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten.
How To Make
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Prep the meat mixture
Brown the ground beef until cooked through. Drain. Add the refried beans, diced tomatoes, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir until well combined.
Pro Tip: Easily turn this dish vegetarian by omitting the ground beef and doubling the beans for refried bean tacos.
Fill the tacos
Place the taco shells into the baking pan. Evenly divide the meat mixture between the shells. Top with shredded cheese.
Pro Tip: Make dairy-free by removing the shredded cheese or opting for a dairy free alternative.
Bake
Bake for 7-10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the shells are starting to crisp.
Serve
Serve topped with tomatoes and shredded lettuce. Serve hot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes or until hot. You can also reheat in the microwave; however, the shells will not be crispy.
Make chicken tacos by swapping the ground beef with ground chicken, shredded chicken or leftover Rotisserie chicken.
Taco shells are extremely easy to make! Check out our Homemade Taco Shell Bowls and How To Make Gluten-Free Tortillas guide for step-by-step directions and printable recipe cards.
For simplicity, shredded lettuce and diced tomatoes are the best or spice things with sliced onions, jalapenos, black olives, sour cream, salsa, guacamole, Easy Enchilada or Burrito Sauce, or Pico de Gallo.
With 1 pound of ground beef and 1 (16oz) can of refried beans, a single recipe will make approximately 10 tacos.
Serve as is for a complete meal or pair with Spanish rice and Canned Corn Salad. Our Skinny Margarita Recipe is an adult favorite while Homemade Lemon Lime Soda is loved by the kids in our home!
Kids In The Kitchen
Cooking tips and suggestions for kids making this recipe.
- You will know the meat is cooked through when all beef has been browned and there are no more pink pieces in the skillet. Breaking the meat into smaller pieces with a spatula helps beef to cook quicker.
- Fill the tacos once they are in the baking pan, not before. This way if you spill, the ingredients will end up in the baking pan and not on the counter.
- Remember to set a timer once you place the tacos into the oven. If a recipe has a range (example: 7-10 minutes), always set the timer for the lower time then check. You can always cook longer if needed.
More Gluten Free Dinner Ideas
- Gluten-Free Shepards Pie
- Gluten Free Chicken Pot Pie
- Gluten-Free Chicken Thigh Recipes
- Baked Cod Fish Tacos
- Gluten-Free French Dip Sandwiches (Instant Pot or Crock Pot)
- Greek Chicken Thighs
- 10 Gluten-Free Recipes For Kids
- Gluten Free Chicken Enchiladas
- Roasted Chicken Sausage & Veggies
- Beef Chimichanga Recipe
- Baked Chicken Ziti
CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.
The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.
Oven-Baked Tacos
Equipment
- 9 x 13 inch baking pan
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef ✅
- 16 ounce refried beans ✅
- 14.5 ounce diced tomatoes, drained ✅
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder ✅
- 1 teaspoon onion powder ✅
- 1 teaspoon cumin ✅
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes ✅
- 10 taco shells ✅
- 1/2 cup Mexican cheese ✅
- 1 tomato, diced
- 1/2 cup shredded lettuce
Instructions
- Preheat the oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- ⭐️Prep the meat mixture. Brown the ground beef until cooked through. Drain. Add the refried beans, diced tomatoes, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir until well combined.1 pound ground beef, 16 ounce refried beans, 14.5 ounce diced tomatoes, drained, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Fill the tacos. Place the taco shells into the baking pan. Evenly divide the meat mixture between the shells. Top with shredded cheese.10 taco shells, 1/2 cup Mexican cheese
- ⭐️Bake. Bake for 7-10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the shells are starting to crisp.
- Serve. Serve topped with tomatoes and shredded lettuce. Serve hot.1 tomato, diced, 1/2 cup shredded lettuce
Notes
Nutrition
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