Baked Beef and Black Bean Tacos

TACO SEASONING

• 1 Tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp oregano
• 1/4 tsp cayenne
• 1/2 tsp salt
• Freshly cracked pepper

TACOS

• 1 Tbsp cooking oil
• 1 yellow onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 300g lean ground beef (93% lean or higher)*
• 1 can black beans
• 1 box 10 hard taco shells
• 1 cup shredded cheddar

OPTIONAL TOPPINGS

• 1 tomato
• 1 jalapeño
• Handful fresh cilantro
• 1/4 cup sour cream

• In a small bowl, combine the ingredients for the taco seasoning, then set the seasoning aside (or use one envelope of store-bought taco seasoning). Preheat the oven to 400ºF.
• Dice the onion and mince the garlic. Add the onion, garlic, and cooking oil to a large frying pan. Sauté the onion and garlic over medium heat until the onion is soft and translucent (about 5 minutes). Add the ground beef and prepared taco seasoning and continue to sauté until the beef is cooked through (another 5 minutes).
• Arrange the taco shells in a casserole dish so they are all standing upright. If you do not have a dish that fits them snuggly enough to hold them up, use balled up aluminum foil to act as "book ends" to help hold the line of tacos upright.
• Drain the can of black beans well, but do not rinse them. A little sauciness helps keep the beef mixture moist.Stir the beans into the seasoned beef and allow them to heat through.
• Fill the tacos with the beef and bean mixture. Sprinkle the shredded cheese over top. Bake the tacos in the preheated oven for 7-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the taco shells are golden brown on the edges.
• While the tacos are baking, dice the tomato, slice the jalapeño, and roughly chop the cilantro leaves. Sprinkle the diced tomato, jalapeño, and cilantro over the tacos, and add a dollop of sour cream just before serving.