Taco Melts Homemade Taco Bell embodies the savory, cheesy, and deeply satisfying flavors of your favorite fast-food indulgence, all recreated right in your own kitchen with this easy-to-follow recipe. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a fun weekend treat, these homemade taco melts offer incredible taste without the drive-thru line.
Key Ingredients for Taco Melts Homemade Taco Bell
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 or 90/10 ratio recommended)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (or other cooking oil)
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 packet (about 1 ounce) taco seasoning
- 2/3 cup water
- 8 large flour tortillas (burrito or fajita size)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese (or a Mexican blend)
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon taco sauce (your favorite brand, like mild or hot)
- Optional toppings: shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sliced jalapeños, extra cheese
How to Make Taco Melts Homemade Taco Bell
Get ready for a simple yet incredibly delicious culinary adventure with these Taco Melts Homemade Taco Bell. This recipe is designed for maximum flavor with minimal fuss, delivering that signature Taco Bell taste with a delightful crispy, cheesy exterior and a warm, seasoned beef filling. The creamy, zesty sauce you’ll create makes it extra special, and the whole process takes about 25 minutes of active preparation and cooking time.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Brown the Beef and Aromatics
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. Add the finely chopped yellow onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet with the onions and garlic. Break up the beef with a spoon and cook, stirring occasionally, until it is browned all over. Drain off any excess grease.
Season the Taco Filling
- Sprinkle the taco seasoning packet over the browned ground beef. Stir well to coat the meat evenly.
- Pour in the 2/3 cup of water. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly. This creates the flavorful, seasoned taco meat that is the heart of your Taco Melts Homemade Taco Bell.
Prepare the Creamy Taco Sauce
- While the taco meat simmers, in a small bowl, combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, and tablespoon of taco sauce. Whisk until smooth and well-blended. This creamy, tangy sauce is a key component that elevates these homemade taco melts.
Assemble and Cook the Taco Melts
- Lay out your large flour tortillas on a clean work surface.
- Spoon a generous amount of the seasoned ground beef mixture onto one half of each tortilla, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Drizzle about 1-2 tablespoons of the creamy taco sauce over the beef filling on each tortilla.
- Sprinkle a good amount of shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese (or your Mexican blend) over the beef and sauce.
- Fold the plain half of the tortilla over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Gently press down to seal.
Grill the Taco Melts
- Heat a clean, dry skillet or griddle over medium heat. You can also use a panini press if you have one.
- Carefully place the folded taco melts onto the hot skillet, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
- Cook for 3-5 minutes per side (about 6-10 minutes total), until the tortillas are golden brown and crispy, and the cheese inside is melted and gooey. Press down gently with a spatula as they cook to ensure even browning and to help them hold their shape.
- Remove the Taco Melts Homemade Taco Bell from the skillet and let them rest for a minute before serving. If desired, slice them in half to reveal the delicious, cheesy interior. Serve immediately with your favorite optional toppings.
Why You’ll Love This Taco Melts Homemade Taco Bell
You’ll absolutely adore these Taco Melts Homemade Taco Bell for their wonderfully crispy exterior that gives way to a warm, savory, and incredibly cheesy filling. Each bite is a delightful textural contrast, reminiscent of your favorite fast-food delights but with a homemade touch that feels extra special. It’s so much more satisfying and cost-effective than picking up a pack from the drive-thru, allowing you to customize every element to your exact preference.
And let’s talk about that secret sauce! The creamy drizzle of seasoned sour cream and mayo adds a luscious tang that perfectly complements the rich taco meat and melty cheese, a flavor combination that will have you reaching for a second. If you’re a fan of classic quesadillas or embraces the convenience of frozen taquitos, you’ll find these homemade taco melts to be a delightful and much more flavorful cousin. So, gather your ingredients and get ready to experience taco night elevated – you won’t regret giving this recipe a try at home!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Proper storage is key to enjoying your delicious Taco Melts Homemade Taco Bell later.
- Refrigeration: Allow the taco melts to cool completely to room temperature. Then, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container. They will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
- Reheating: For the best results, reheat your Taco Melts Homemade Taco Bell in a skillet over medium-low heat for a few minutes per side, until heated through and the shell is re-crisped. Alternatively, you can reheat them in a toaster oven or a regular oven preheated to 350°F (175°C) for about 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until warm and crispy. Microwaving is not recommended as it tends to make the tortilla chewy.
- Freezing: You can freeze fully assembled and cooled taco melts. Wrap each one individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 1-2 months. To reheat from frozen, it’s best to thaw them in the refrigerator overnight first, then reheat using the skillet or oven method. For a quicker reheat from frozen, you can place them directly in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Final Thoughts
These Taco Melts Homemade Taco Bell are a fantastic way to enjoy that beloved fast-food flavor in a comforting, homemade package. So easy to make and incredibly satisfying, this recipe is sure to become a go-to for a delicious and budget-friendly meal that everyone will love. Give them a try tonight!
try also :
- Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Crispy Sweet Potato Bites
- Matcha Cake Recipe
- find more in Pinterest
Taco Melts Homemade Taco Bell
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. Add the finely chopped yellow onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 medium yellow onion
- Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.2 cloves garlic
- Add the ground beef to the skillet with the onions and garlic. Break up the beef with a spoon and cook, stirring occasionally, until it is browned all over. Drain off any excess grease.1 pound ground beef, 1 medium yellow onion, 2 cloves garlic
- Sprinkle the taco seasoning packet over the browned ground beef. Stir well to coat the meat evenly.1 packet taco seasoning, 1 pound ground beef
- Pour in the 2/3 cup of water. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly. This creates the flavorful, seasoned taco meat that is the heart of your Taco Melts Homemade Taco Bell.2/3 cup water, 1 pound ground beef
- While the taco meat simmers, in a small bowl, combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, and tablespoon of taco sauce. Whisk until smooth and well-blended. This creamy, tangy sauce is a key component that elevates these homemade taco melts.1/2 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon taco sauce
- Lay out your large flour tortillas on a clean work surface.8 large flour tortillas
- Spoon a generous amount of the seasoned ground beef mixture onto one half of each tortilla, leaving a small border around the edges.1 pound ground beef
- Drizzle about 1-2 tablespoons of the creamy taco sauce over the beef filling on each tortilla.1/2 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon taco sauce
- Sprinkle a good amount of shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese (or your Mexican blend) over the beef and sauce.1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- Fold the plain half of the tortilla over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Gently press down to seal.
- Heat a clean, dry skillet or griddle over medium heat. You can also use a panini press if you have one.
- Carefully place the folded taco melts onto the hot skillet, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
- Cook for 3-5 minutes per side (about 6-10 minutes total), until the tortillas are golden brown and crispy, and the cheese inside is melted and gooey. Press down gently with a spatula as they cook to ensure even browning and to help them hold their shape.
- Remove the Taco Melts Homemade Taco Bell from the skillet and let them rest for a minute before serving. If desired, slice them in half to reveal the delicious, cheesy interior. Serve immediately with your favorite optional toppings.shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sliced jalapeños, extra cheese