If there’s one dinner that’s guaranteed to bring everyone to the table in my house, it’s tacos.
We love them every way possible — classic ground beef tacos, slow-cooked pulled beef tacos, and even fish tacos when I’m craving something lighter. But these oven-baked tacos with ground beef and refried beans are hands-down one of our family favorites.
Instead of frying, the tacos are brushed with olive oil and baked in the oven until golden. The filling is simple but delicious: seasoned ground beef, homemade refried beans, and melty cheddar cheese. Once they come out of the oven, we load them up with all the toppings — lettuce, tomato, guacamole, sour cream, salsa… taco night perfection.
If you really want to take these oven-baked tacos to the next level, skip the canned beans and make your own at home. Homemade refried beans are creamier, more flavorful, and budget-friendly compared to store-bought. I have a full step-by-step guide on the blog — check out my Easy Homemade Refried Black Beans recipe and use it as the base for these tacos.
Why You’ll Love These Oven-Baked Tacos
- Kid-approved: Everyone gets to customize their own toppings.
- Mess-free: No frying = less splatter and easier cleanup.
- Make-ahead friendly: Prep the beef and beans in advance, then assemble and bake at dinnertime.
- Golden + flavorful: Olive oil brushed on the tortillas helps them bake up with the perfect texture.
Easy Oven-Baked Tacos with Ground Beef and Refried Beans
Ingredients
For the Beef:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 –3 tablespoons taco seasoning see Notes for homemade mix
- ¾ cup water
For the Tacos:
- 10 flour tortillas 8-inch
- 1 cup refried beans (make your own homemade refried beans
- for the best flavor)
- 1 –2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Olive oil for brushing tortillas + pan
Toppings (optional but recommended!):
- Shredded lettuce
- Diced tomato
- Sour cream
- Guacamole
- Salsa
- Jalapeños scallions, cilantro, lime wedges
Instructions
- Preheat: Heat oven to 190°C (375°F). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and brush lightly with olive oil.
- Cook the beef: In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onions until softened and lightly golden. Add ground beef, cook until browned, then drain excess fat. Return beef to skillet, stir in taco seasoning and ¾ cup water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Assemble tacos: Place tortillas on the prepared baking sheet. Spoon beef mixture onto one side of each tortilla. Spread a spoonful of refried beans over the beef, sprinkle with cheese, and fold closed. Brush the tops lightly with olive oil.
- Bake + broil: Bake for 15 minutes. Switch to broil for 3–5 minutes until the tops are golden brown.
- Serve: Top with lettuce, tomato, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, or whatever you like. Serve immediately.
Notes
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch of cayenne (optional for heat)
Final Thoughts
Taco night is a tradition in our house, and while we switch things up with pulled beef or fish tacos, these easy oven-baked tacos with ground beef and refried beans are the ones we come back to again and again. They’re simple, cheesy, and always a hit with kids and adults alike.
Whether it’s Taco Tuesday or just a weeknight craving, you’ll want to add these baked tacos to your regular dinner rotation.
These baked ground beef tacos are also part of my 30 Days of School Lunches meal plan, making them a perfect option for both dinner and next-day lunchboxes. They’re easy to pack, hold up well, and are always kid-approved.
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