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Beef and Bean Tacos

Make your own taco seasoning with this recipe and cut down on salt and other preservatives. Kids love this part. One recipe makes a double batch of the seasoning so you have some for another day or double it to keep extra in the cabinet.

Ingredients

Taco Seasoning Mix (makes enough for 2 recipes of Tacos):

  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon pepper

Taco Ingredients:

  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 jar of passata (approx. 700 ml)
  • 1 cup canned pumpkin puree (not pumpking pie filling)
  • 1 can black beans rinsed and drained
  • Taco shells soft or hard
  • 4.5 oz shredded cheddar or monterey jack cheese
  • romaine lettuce finely chopped

Instructions

Taco Seasoning Mix

  • Combine in a small bowl - use 4 teaspoons for Taco recipe and save the remaining 4 teaspoons for another time.

Taco

  • In a large non-stick pan sauté beef over medium heat, breaking up with a spoon, until no longer pink – about 5 minutes. Drain off fat in a colander with running water and return to the pan.
  • Add pureed tomatoes, 4 teaspoons of taco seasoning mix (from recipe above), pumpkin, black beans and simmer until thick - approximately 20 minutes.
  • Meat mixture can be transported home and put in the refrigerator until dinner time. You should reheat meat first before filling shells.
  • Add warm meat mixture to the taco shells and sprinkle with cheese.
  • Bake at 325 degrees for approximately 10 minutes.
  • Then add your desired toppings and enjoy!! Optional toppings: sour cream, salsa, diced tomatoes, fresh cilantro and avocado or guacamole.