Are you a lover of all things taco? Are you wondering what to do with all the leftover taco meat from the last dinner gathering or weeknight and you don’t want to throw them away? Well, there are different creative ways in which you can combine those taco meats with your other loved foods and ingredients to create mouth-watering, flavourful and healthy dishes all in less than an hour.
Here are 20 recipes curated just for you to help and inspire you to turn those taco meats from a thumbs down to a thumbs up at any given time of the day or event.
So, do not be afraid of having leftover taco meats anymore, and get ready to explore a whole world of taco meat dishes with bursting flavors.
1. Taco Meat Soup
One classy way to transform your leftover taco meat is a soup dish. Throw your meat, tomatoes, beans, and ingredients like rice and corn into your broth and your soup is ready. With the recipe by Faith-filled Foods for Moms, and servings of salsa or tortilla chips by the side, you are good to go.
2. Taco Lasagna
Lasagna! Lasagna! Lasagna! You can never go wrong with the cheesy goodness of lasagna. With the recipe by Chelsea’s Messy Apron, you have a plate of delightful bits that give you flavors that scream Mexican. You can pair your lasagna with veggie dishes like cucumber salad or corn salad.
3. Taco Stuffed Peppers
Are you looking for something healthy, rich in flavours and quick to cook for weeknight dinner after a busy week? Well, look no further as this Mexican-inspired dish recipe by Garlicsaltandlime will leave you drooling after every bite. It can be topped with guacamole, avocado slices, and even hot sauce.
4. Taco Salad
Salads are perfect fits for a healthy lunch dish. It is ideal for one who is keeping fit and trying to have a healthy lifestyle. The taco salad recipe by The Food Charlatan is a great option for eating a delicious, satisfying yet healthy low-carb lunch dish. It has the crunchy, meaty, and cheesy feeling in every bite. Yum!
5. Taco Pasta Bake
Are you a lover of pasta? Are you a lover of all things Mexican? Well, this dish by Valerie’s Kitchen gives you a combination of delightful Mexican flavors and pasta with your leftover taco meat. This dish has your black beans, cheese, green chiles and onions. It can be garnished with some sour cream.
6. Taco Breakfast Burritos
Burritos are simple, yummy, hearty dishes that are a delight to eat for the start of one’s day. This Mexican recipe by Sweet and Savory Meals is ravishing and can go with tater tots, potato pancakes or wedges. You can alternate ingredients in the recipe with which you prefer.
7. Taco Dip
A helping of taco dip is one tantalizing way of enjoying your leftover taco meat. It could be taken as an appetizer for gatherings or even a snack. The recipe for this dish by Weary Chefallows you to have a taste of this delicious meal in a cheesy and meaty way. It takes about 20 minutes to make this delicious meal.
8. Taco Pizza
You can not go wrong with pizza! Don’t you think so? Especially a cheesy, meaty delightful pizza. With the taco pizza recipe by The Girl Who Ate Everything, you are sure to have a good helping of cheesy, chewy, crunchy and meaty goodness to enjoy. You can top it with sour cream or any other topping of your choice.
9. Frito Taco Pie
Not a fan of casserole but love pies? Well, this meat-included, easy, yummy, comfortable dinner dish is perfect for you. Take your leftover taco meat and use this recipe by The Cookin Chicks to create a crunchy, cheesy and creamy pot of pie. This dinner dish takes just 30 minutes to put together.
10. Taco Enchiladas
This is one amazing, simple yet delicious Mexican family dinner or main course dish that contains your leftover taco meat, cheese and sauce. The recipe by I Wash You Dry takes just 25 minutes to prepare and it can be eaten alone or with your rice, guacamole, and beans. Amazing, right?
11. Taco Mac and Cheese
One of the loved foods amongst children and even adults. This dish is creamy and delicious when prepared well. This mac and cheese recipe by Maebells will show you how to take an American-loved dish, with taco meat, milk, cheese and broth and make it into a pleasurable delight in 30 minutes.
12. Taco Quesadillas
Quesadillas and meat? A perfect combo. This dish is one way you can make use of your taco meat and make something delicious. The recipe by How to Feed a Loon takes just about 40 minutes to prepare and can be eaten as an appetizer or alongside a rice dinner dish.
13. Walking Taco
Don’t you love snacks you could have on the go when rushing for an important meeting or appointment and you couldn’t eat at home before leaving? Well, this recipe by Eating on a Dime shows you how to make your very own portable snacking dish: the walking taco. It’s easy to make and very delicious too.
14. Taco Lettuce Wrap
This meal can be eaten and enjoyed as a brunch or even an appetizer dish. Take your taco meat, sauce, cream, cheese, and beans, and put in your lettuce. The recipe by Chelsea’s Messy Apron is flavor-packed, low carb and can be eaten with roasted vegetables, salads and even rice. Yummy!
15. Taco Spaghetti
Who doesn’t love the diversity of spaghetti? It can be eaten with sauce or even turned into the sauce. This easy-to-make taco spaghetti recipe by The Cozy Cook is meaty, cheesy and delicious. This dish can be eaten as a main course during gatherings or a family dinner.
16. Sour Cream Taco Rice Bake
Taco meat, rice, lots of cheese! What’s not to like? This dish is easy to make and can be used as brunch, lunch or even as an appetizer. The recipe by Plain Chicken can be prepared in about 30 minutes with your leftover taco meat, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, cheese, rice and sour cream.
17. Taco Corn Casserole
This casserole dish is perfect as a side dish or even the main course dish. The recipe by Tastes of Lizzy T takes about 55 minutes to prepare and includes ingredients like kernel and creamed corn, chillies, and muffin mix alongside leftover taco meat. It can be served with tortilla chips or even green beans.
18. Taco Stuffed Shells
Take your leftover taco meat and make this creative and fun dish. This Mexican recipe by Dinner then Desserts takes just 30 minutes to prepare. Stuff that leftover taco meat, cheese and any of your favorite toppings into jumbo pasta shells and enjoy your delicious dinner dish.
19. Taco Meat Sliders
This yummy, cheesy and meaty breakfast meal is easy to prepare. The recipe by Dinner at the Zoo takes just about 30 minutes to prepare including the prep time. Just layer up your heated taco meat, and cheese onto your buns, bake and serve together with your salsa or guacamole.
20. Taco Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Are you a fan of food stuffing? Well, this dish will surely make you salivate. With your taco meat and this recipe by Belle of the Kitchen, you are sure to get a flavourful, sweet, meaty and healthy dish in just 20 minutes. This dish can be topped with cheese, sour cream, guacamole, avocados and even tomatoes.
Now you have a variety of healthy and delicious ways to put your leftover taco meats to good use. It would be a shame for those taco meats to be thrown into the bin or given to the dogs, don’t you think so?
You can be more creative and switch any ingredients with your preferred choice, accompany it with your desired drink choice, and enjoy it with friends and family.
So take up your aprons, wear your hats, bring out the taco meats and start cooking!
With each dish, share with us your experience and that of your loved ones.
20 Leftover Taco Meat Recipes
Ingredients
- 150 g. ground beef
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- 4 whole-wheat tortillas, 80 g
- 1 tsp oil
- 4 slices low-fat mozzarella cheese, 40 g
- Shredded lettuce for serving
- Sliced pickles for serving
- Sliced tomatoes for serving
- Sliced red onion for serving, optional
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the ground beef, salt, pepper, and paprika. Mix well.
- Press a thin layer of beef onto each tortilla, leaving a 1-inch border around the edge.
- Preheat a large skillet or griddle over high heat. Add a bit of oil to the pan.
- Place one tortilla with the beef side down in the hot pan. Flatten the beef using a flat surface, such as the bottom of a saucepan. Cook for 1-2 minutes, or until the beef is browned and crispy.
- Flip the tortilla and place one cheese slice on top of the beef. Cover the pan with a lid and cook for 30 seconds, or until the cheese is melted.
- Remove the taco from the pan and repeat steps 3-5 with the remaining tortillas and beef. Serve the tacos immediately with shredded lettuce, sliced pickles, sliced tomatoes, and sliced red onion (optional).
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
