22+ easy leftover taco meat recipes for the day after. Use your leftover ground beef in another meal the next day for another meal and save money. You can make any of our Instant Pot ground beef recipes, or find more below.
Are you wondering what recipes with leftover taco meat there are out there? All too often I overestimate how much beef we will need on taco Tuesday! I am left with so much leftovers and I just can’t let it go to waste. (affiliate links present)
I mean, it’s just so super tasty in so many other recipes. That’s why I love all these meal ideas to cook for the next few days afterwards. Like nachos, soup, empanadas, stuffed peppers, casseroles, and more. You have to see them to believe how tasty and easy they are.
Table of Contents
- Leftover Ground Beef Recipes
- How to reheat leftover taco meat
- What are some easy recipes to make with leftover tacos?
- Would leftover taco meat taste good for spaghetti?
- Easy Leftover Hamburger Recipes
- Can you make a casserole with leftover taco meat?
- Leftover Taco Meat Recipes with Pasta
- Ideas for leftover taco meat?
- How do you stretch leftover taco meat?
- Leftover Taco Meat Casserole
- Leftover Recipes with Ground Beef
- Leftover Taco Meat Recipe
Leftover Ground Beef Recipes
Whether you initially made a quick pot of Instant Pot taco meat or used the low and slow slow cooker taco meat method, saving what is left is a no brainer. Then make a second meal the next day(s) to save money.
- Stuffed Air fryer Zucchini Boats uses vegetables instead of shells made of tortillas but with the same great fillings….
Taco Stuffed Avocado Boats are a mouthwatering low carb twist on tacos. So if you’re looking for something tasty and healthy to make with your leftover beef try stuffed avocados! Only 7 grams of net carbs per serving too. Plus I just love creamy ripe avocado with my meat and cheese, don’t you?
How to reheat leftover taco meat
If you have some store bought or homemade taco seasoning on hand you might want to add a bit more with a bit of broth or Worcestershire sauce to reheat. That will add moisture and extra flavor before continuing on to microwaving in 30 second increments or in a skillet until re-warmed.
- make Shepherds pie with ground beef or other choice below.
- I mean to make the ultimate comfort food, I would go with our layered Mexican Cornbread Casserole. You can use Jiffy or homemade batter with this spicy or mild on the bottom.
What are some easy recipes to make with leftover tacos?
You can use the shells or Doritos with the warmed meat on top to make nachos using ground beef! They’re so scrumptious, even with Cool Ranch is a nice twist. When I’m feeling spicier I’ll use Nacho Cheese. Just warm the meat and add slices of avocado with some sour cream and cheese, done! The whole family will be excited to see this on the dinner table.
Do you have leftover taco meat and some crescent roll dough in the fridge? If so you will want to see this recipe idea. Crescent Roll Taco Ring and this one are fun dinner, appetizer or a lunch that will be your family’s new favorite! A simple utensil-free dish with minimal ingredients! I love to dip them in salsa, sour cream, and even Ranch dressing.
Instant Pot Taco Soup is a hearty soup recipe is the perfect idea to make. It’s easy with only a few ingredients and you’ll have a tasty stew in no time at all! Have yourself a taco Tuesday followed by a no-waste Wednesday when you make this soup. The total cooking time is only 15 minutes and it makes 6 servings.
Would leftover taco meat taste good for spaghetti?
Absolutely!! We use that all the time instead of fresh ground beef to save time and use up leftovers. Just throw it into your sauce to make our Lazy One Pot Spaghetti with any shaped noodles you love and let them boil away until tender to your liking. 😉
Here’s a peek of that one complete with black beans, corn and veggies galore. Want another version with the same great flavors? Stuff inside tortillas and make air fryer tacos some night.
Easy Leftover Hamburger Recipes
All of these could be made as a leftover meatloaf recipes too. If you are cooking for a get together you can throw a dip together with leftover ground beef from tacos too though like;
Make Taco Dip with ground beef for a low carb friendly choice for your next party or gathering? This layered dip is always one of the first snacks to disappear. With only 5 ingredients needed this dip will become a family favorite too. You can also make it for a celebration like a game day, party, or BBQ. Your guests and family will be so impressed when they have a taste.
Air fryer empanadas stuffed inside a flaky pastry crust and cheesy beefy filling are great. This recipe is so versatile too you can add vegetables like corn on the inside or a side of guacamole. They are easy to store in the refrigerator too for a few days of meals.
Can you make a casserole with leftover taco meat?
Absolutely, our easy Mexican Pizza casserole is simple like a copycat Taco Bell Mexican pizza made at home in a pie pan baked, pressure cooked or with the help of your air fryer this is the one to try. My kids just love it when I make these for lunch and dinner.
Corn Tortilla Quesadilla are perfect to make with leftover taco meat. Traditionally in Mexico quesadillas are made with corn tortillas, not wheat flour tortillas, so that’s how I make them too. For best results, shred your own cheese. It melts better. I recommend ounces of pepper jack and 4 ounces of colby jack. But of course you can use any cheese you want!
Leftover Taco Meat Recipes with Pasta
Instant Pot Taco Pasta is great using leftover beef. This one pot cheesy taco pasta is ready in about 30 minutes with all your favorite taco flavors and is seriously delicious and nourishing! I prefer to use whole grain macaroni or shells but you can use any kind of pasta like rigatoni or bow tie noodles.
This is one of our taco Tuesday favorites when we are thinking out of the box. You could easily use leftover ground turkey or sausage for this one as well.
Ideas for leftover taco meat?
Now here is something new you may not have heard of but you should! Mulitas De Asada are made of two crispy tortillas stuffed with beef and yummy melty cheese. Serve with your favorite guacamole or sour cream and enjoy! They’re so super easy to make and serve up for a crowd. I always use corn tortillas but flour ones work fine as well.
Taco Stuffed Peppers my family loves. You mix with other goodies and fill bell peppers for dinner any night of the week. Filled with flavor and great for lunch too. Not to mention they’re low in carbs and high in protein. Cooking tip: For crisper peppers, slightly reduce cooking time. in order to make softer just increase the cooking time by 15 minutes.
Air Fryer Ground Beef Egg rolls are basically taco roll-ups. A tasty quick snack or an easy on the go meal. I always make these on busy weeknights because you only need 5 simple ingredients to make them. Plus it is helpful to just have something that you can grab as you’re out the door. I mean who doesn’t love finger foods for dinner right??
Same as other leftovers you will want to store it in an airtight bag or container in the fridge. It is safe to reheat and enjoy again within 3 days, then it should be discarded.
How do you stretch leftover taco meat?
If you have a bunch you can easily divide into 2 different meals on the days after. Including it into other ingredients allows you to stretch it further, like our sauerkraut recipe with meat dish. On the lighter side if you are looking for a low carb keto friendly option, make a salad y’all.
- Taco Meat Salad is a cold idea for lunch
Learn how to make taco salad in just 20 minutes with common household ingredients! Your entire family will adore homemade taco salad bowls filled with ground beef. Leftover taco meat is the way to go too – browned ground beef with chili, garlic powder, salt and pepper simmered with a little bit of water to distribute all the flavours and you’re good to go.
- Instant Pot Frito Pie is one of New Mexico’s most famous comfort foods! Frito Pie was invented by the chef at the Santa Fe Woolworth’s lunch counter in the 1960s by Theresa Hernández, who served a simple style of chile con carne in a bag of Fritos corn chips.
Beef Salad Bowl is easy homemade salad bowl is amazing with your leftover taco meat. Plus it’s keto friendly, gluten free, and grain free. My favorite cheeses to use are mozzarella and cheddar. I just love it topped with avocado and sour cream. If I’m really feeling creative I’ll add some diced black olives too.
Air Fryer Chimichangas are a healthy version of your favorite Mexican meal. With your favorite fillings and condiments you will have a quick and easy weeknight dinner everyone will love! All you need is flour tortillas (burrito size), cooked meat, beans, diced green peppers, salsa, sour cream, shredded cheese, avocado slices, and sliced jalapeños- yum!
Leftover Taco Meat Casserole
Ground Beef Skillet is a family-friendly meal is ready to serve in 30 minutes or less with only 9 ingredients such as diced tomatoes, bell peppers, and cheese. In order to avoid added sugar, fillers, and preservatives in the taco seasoning, I recommend organic Taco Seasoning from Mountain Rose Herbs.
- Slow Cooker Lazy Lasagna is a comforting and scrumptious recipe that everyone at the table will adore. With layers of pasta, leftover taco meat, corn, sauce and cheese it will instantly become a family favorite. Cooks all day on it’s own and is ready when you get home.
If you haven’t made a tex mex deconstructed taco lasagna of sorts with hamburger yet you’re in for a treat.
Leftover Recipes with Ground Beef
Using leftovers cuts down on the cook time for spaghetti for sure. You just then need to heat the sauce, boil the noodles and you’re done. In the case of Ninja Foodi taco pasta you can put it all in one pot though, makes it much easier.
Stuffed Zucchini Casserole is so savory and healthy with vegetables and protein to truly hit the spot! Plus it’s gluten free and easy to cook.
Easy Cheesy Delicious Taco Sliders Recipe is cooked beef, mozzarella cheese, jalapeños, diced tomatoes, green chilis, tomato sauce, taco seasoning, butter, and bread! It’s one of our family’s favorite recipes with Hawaiian rolls. It only takes 8 minutes to prep and 30 minutes to cook!
And there you have it! The best list of recipes to make with your tasty leftover taco meat. From salads, soups, and bowls to casseroles, empanadas, and chimichangas. It’s everything you need to make use of that tasty ground beef or carne asada while also feeding your family or a large crowd.
But wait, we have more because we hate to waste. Eat beef often and want recipes with leftover brisket too? We have ’em!
Leftover Taco Meat Recipe
Equipment
- 1 pot
Ingredients
- 1/2-1 lb taco meat, leftover, or any sort of ground meat precoked
- 1 can kidney beans
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 3 tbsp taco seasoning
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2-1 c tomato paste, or spaghetti sauce, more if you want it thinner
Instructions
- In a pot on the stovetop over medium heat add all of your ingredients together and stir together.
- Allow to reach a slow rolling boil, cover and heat for 5 minutes. Stir and test to see if you want to adjust seasonings.
- Close lid and cook for another 5 minutes to further soften beans. Serve when it is as hot as you'd like topped with cheese, green onions and jalapenos if desired.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.