Baked Double Decker Tacos

These Baked Double Decker Tacos combine a crunchy corn taco wrapped inside of a refried bean-smothered flour soft taco that’s filled with seasoned ground beef, sprinkled with shredded cheese then baked, and topped with your favorite taco fixings. 

You all know how much I love Mexican food, right? I mean it’s no mystery, and Taco Tuesday is truly a “thing” at our house.  I switch them up, of course, from week to week, but most Tuesdays you need not ask what’s for dinner at our place.

These baked double-decker baked tacos are easy to make, and the whole family will love them. They are super filling too as this recipe feeds a family of four, with two tacos each. Just like the famous double decker  Taco Bell tacos these are sure to become a favorite with your family.

If you’re looking for more Mexican food inspiration try these recipes; Copycat Taco Bell Mexican Pizza, Mexican Bean Dip, or this Mexican Four Bean Salad. 

Ingredients Needed To Make Double Decker Tacos

You will find the exact measurements and instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. 

• Four tortillas – I used soft flour tortillas that were soft taco size.
• Corn taco shells – These are hard crunchy taco shells. 
• Ground beef – I used lean ground beef but you can also use ground chicken or even mashed black beans. 
• Taco seasoning– You can pick up a packet of taco seasoning mix at the grocery store or make your own using my homemade recipe. 
• Onion – I used a small onion, chopped.
• Mexican cheese – I used Mexican cheese but you can use whatever cheese you have on hand like cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack, or Colby Jack. 
• Refried beans – I used a can of refried beans but you can also make your own. 
• Milk – Any kind of milk will work to thin out the refried beans.
• Salsa – I added a touch of salsa to the refried beans to add more flavor. You can make your own or pick up a jar at the grocery store. 
• Topping Ideas -Use your favorite taco toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, salsa, pico de gallo, cheese, olives, sour cream, avocado, and shredded Mexican cheese

How to make double-decker baked tacos

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Over medium heat, brown ground beef with onion. 

Prepare taco meat according to taco seasoning packet instructions.

In a small bowl combine refried beans with milk and salsa.

 Stir until smooth then fold in 1/3 cup cheese.

Spread a heaping Tablespoon of refried beans over a flour tortilla.

Wrap it around the corn tortilla and place it bottom side down in a baking dish. Continue with all of the shells. Use a baking dish that allows the tacos to stand up side by side, but not too crowded so that they can’t be stuffed with the cooked ground beef.

 Fill each crunchy shell with approximately 3 Tablespoons of taco meat.

Top each with a big pinch of cheese and bake for 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the tacos are hot.

Gather your topping ingredients of choice. 

Remove from oven, top with shredded lettuce and tomatoes, a dollop of sour cream, and serve right from the dish. Top with your desired toppings.

Leftover tacos will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days though they may not be a crispy taco like they were when you took them out of the oven they will still taste good.  I don’t recommend freezing this taco recipe as the tacos will likely get soggy. 

Love it? Pin it!

If you love this double decker taco recipe, make sure you don’t lose it! Pin it to your favorite Pinterest recipe board before you go!

FAQs

• What happened to double decker tacos? Double decker tacos were removed from the Taco Bell menu in 2019.

• What was in a Double Decker Taco? A double decker taco is a soft shell taco that is layered with refried beans, that is then wrapped around a hard shell taco filled with seasoned ground beef all topped with cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, sour cream, and fresh avocado or guacamole.

• How to make a double decker at Taco Bell? Just follow the instructions for this recipe for making double decker tacos.

• What is the hack for baking taco shells? Make sure they do not overlap in the baking pan.

SUBSTITUTIONS

• Instead of ground beef use ground turkey, ground chicken, or vegetarian ground beef. Shredded beef, carnitas, or shredded chicken works wonderfully, too!
• Change up the type of refried beans. If you used pinto beans try black beans and vice versa.
• Add some spice by mixing in some chipotle in adobo sauce with the beef mixture.
• Sprinkle chopped jalapenos on top of the toppings. 

Tips & Tricks For Baked Tacos

• Make sure to place the baking dish on the middle rack in the oven so the tacos don’t burn. 
• Squeeze a touch of fresh lime juice over the tacos once they finish baking for more Mexican flavor. 
• Up the flavor of the ground beef by adding some garlic powder or onion powder. 

Taco Tuesday Recipes

Of course, there is nothing like Taco Night with a big plate of seasoned ground beef tacos. But if you want to give Taco Tuesday a fun turn around – here are some great recipes to spice things up:

• Baked Chicken Taquitos (pictured above)
• Mom’s Taco Casserole
• Taco Soup 
• Taco Loaded Baked Potatoes
• Dorothy’s Taco Salads
• Taco Stew
• Taco Meatloaf
• Air Fryer Taco Salad Bowls
• Taco Pork Chops
• Indian Tacos with Homemade Fry Bread
• Walking Taco Casserole

If it’s Tuesday and you’re looking for a new way to eat tacos you must give this double decker tacos recipe a try. It will take your Taco Tuesday to a whole new level.

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Print Recipe

Baked Double Decker Tacos

These Baked Double Decker Tacos combine a crunchy corn taco wrapped inside of a refried bean-smothered flour soft taco that’s filled with seasoned ground beef, sprinkled with shredded cheese then baked, and topped with your favorite taco fixings. 

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time25 minutes mins

Total Time30 minutes mins

Course: Beef

Cuisine: American/ Mexican

Keyword: baked double decker tacos, baked tacos, crunchy corn taco shells, Double Decker Baked Tacos, double decker taco bell, double decker taco recipe, double decker tacos, soft flour tortilla taco shells

Servings: 4 (8 tacos)

Calories: 1060kcal

Author: Michaela Kenkel

Equipment

• 12-Piece Black Sharp Knife Set with Covers, Cutting Board and Sharpener
• Meat Chopper, 5 Curve Blades Ground Beef Chopper
• Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet With Assist Handle, 10.25", Black
• 9x13 Pyrex Baking Dish with a Lid

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

• 8 small flour tortillas soft taco size
• 8 crunchy corn taco shells
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 taco seasoning packet or your own homemade
• 1 small onion chopped
• 1 8 ounce package shredded Mexican cheese, divided
• 1 14 ounce can refried beans
• 1 Tablespoon milk
• 1 Tablespoon salsa or taco sauce
• Topping Ideas: lettuce tomatoes, salsa, cheese, olives, sour cream, avocado, shredded Mexican cheese, jalapeños

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Brown ground beef with onion, prepare according to taco seasoning packet instructions.
• In a small bowl combine refried beans with milk and salsa, stir until smooth, fold in 1/3 cup cheese.
• Spread a heaping Tablespoon of bean mixture over a flour tortilla. Wrap it around the corn tortilla and place bottom side down in a baking dish. Continue with all of the shells. Use a baking dish that the tacos are able to stand up side by side, but not too crowded they can't be stuffed.
• Fill each shell about approximately 3 tablespoons of meat, top each with a big pinch of cheese.
• Bake for 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted and tacos are hot.
• Remove from oven, top with shredded lettuce and tomatoes, serve right from the dish.
• Top with your desired toppings.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 1060kcal | Carbohydrates: 122g | Protein: 58g | Fat: 40g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 22g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 123mg | Sodium: 1541mg | Fiber: 16g | Sugar: 14g

This recipe was originally posted on October 2, 2015. It has been updated to improve user experience and re-shared on May 15, 2023.