Simple Weeknight Ground Beef Tacos

An Easy, Use-What-You-Have Dinner the Whole Family Loves

On busy weeknights, I lean hard into meals that are simple, flexible, and comforting — and these ground beef tacos check every box. They’re quick to make, easy to customize, and perfect for using up whatever veggies you have hanging out in the fridge.

This is the kind of dinner that doesn’t require a recipe card taped to the counter. You brown some beef, sauté an onion, toss in a handful of chopped vegetables, and let everyone build their own tacos just the way they like them. It’s relaxed, unfussy, and exactly what a weeknight dinner should be.

One of my favorite little tricks? Heating the taco shells in the oven with cheese first. It makes them warm, melty, and extra delicious before you even add the meat.

Why This Dinner Works

• Ready in under 30 minutes

• Uses simple pantry staples

• Perfect for cleaning out the fridge

• Everyone can customize their own tacos

• Budget-friendly and filling

• Works with soft or hard shells

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef

• 1 onion, diced

• Chopped vegetables of choice (use what you have!)

  • Carrots

  • Zucchini

  • Celery

  • Bell peppers

  • Mushrooms

• Taco seasoning (store-bought or homemade)

  • Here's my Taco Bell copycat recipe, I recently stopped buying taco seasoning and making my own!

  • ¼ cup chili powder

  • 2 tablespoons ground cumin

  • 1 tablespoon paprika

  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder

  • 1 tablespoon onion powder

  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano

  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)

  • 2 teaspoons salt

  • 1 tablespoon black pepper

  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch (key for that Taco Bell-style texture!)

  How to Use

  • Mix all ingredients together and store in a small airtight jar.

  • Use 2–3 tablespoons per 1 pound of ground beef.

  • Add a splash of water while cooking to help the seasoning thicken and coat the meat evenly.

• Soft tortillas or hard taco shells

• Shredded cheese

Favorite Toppings

• Diced tomatoes

• Shredded lettuce

• Sliced olives

• Sour cream

How to Make Simple Ground Beef Tacos

1. Cook the beef and veggies

In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Add the diced onion and chopped vegetables and cook until softened.

Season with taco seasoning and let everything simmer for a few minutes so the flavors come together.

2. Heat the shells with cheese

Preheat your oven to 375°F.Place taco shells or tortillas on a baking sheet, sprinkle with shredded cheese, and bake until the cheese is melted and the shells are heated through.

This step makes such a difference — warm shells and melted cheese are always a win.

3. Assemble your tacos

Add the beef mixture to the cheesy shells, then top with:

• Tomatoes

• Lettuce

• Olives

• Sour cream

Or whatever toppings you love most!

Make It Your Own

That’s the beauty of tacos — there’s no wrong way to do them.

• Swap ground beef for turkey or chicken

• Add beans or corn for extra bulk

• Use salsa or hot sauce for heat

• Make it a taco bowl with rice

Use what you have and keep it simple.

A True Weeknight Win

These tacos are one of those meals that just works. No stress, no complicated steps — just a warm, comforting dinner that brings everyone to the table. It’s casual, flexible, and one of those recipes you’ll come back to again and again.

I Hope This Becomes One of Your Go-To Dinners!

If you make these weeknight tacos, tag me on Instagram @weeknight_homemaker — I love seeing your simple, real-life dinners.

Lauren Morgan