27 Easy Leftover Taco Meat Recipes

Explore easy leftover taco meat recipes in this epic list and gain insightful tips for enhancing these homemade taco dishes.

Ah, taco night! A weekly standard in many homes! But what to do with the leftover taco meat once everyone has had their fill? Do not fret! That is exactly what we are diving into here.

There are lots of options! LOTS! We have pulled together some original ones as well as some you can modify to fit your leftover amount. 

So, keep that meat because you, or your family, will surely be hungry again tomorrow! Seriously there are so many delicious recipes that you are sure to find your next great option for dinner right here.

Tips When Making Leftover Taco Meat Recipes

Leftover taco meat can be incredibly versatile and a great base for various dishes like soups and casseroles. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your leftover taco meat:

• Safety first. Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking; consume within 3-4 days.
• Reheat properly. Warm on the stove; ensure it’s hot throughout.
• Taste adjustments. Season or dilute if flavors intensify after storage.
• Use fillers. Mix with beans or rice to stretch the quantity.
• Versatility. Use in omelets, salads, casseroles, or pasta.
• Moisture management. Add broth or sauce if the meat is too dry during reheating.

Easy Leftover Taco Meat Recipes

1. Beef Taco Salad 

The beauty of using leftover taco meat in a salad is you can scale the size or number of salads you prep directly to how much meat you have leftover. 

When following a full recipe like this one, you will probably not have the full amount of taco meat called for, so just eyeball the amount of each topping, and trust us, it will be fine!

If you are worried that you don’t have enough taco meat, a good ingredient to bulk the protein is to add black beans or refried beans to the mix. This recipe is a family favorite at our dinner table. It is an easy recipe, and I love having it with fresh salsa.

2. Taco Soup

Another excellent recipe for using taco meat leftovers is taco soup, which boasts so much flavor in an easy dinner recipe! Here you may need to scale down the amount of liquid, since you have less meat, or seasonings since the meat is already seasoned. 

But hey, that makes your job easier! This is a soup the whole family will love. Add a little more cayenne pepper for enhanced levels of heat. A great way to chow down on this taco soup is with some warm buttered flour tortillas on the side

3. Taco Pizza

There are so many things you can make with leftover taco meat, and comfort food like pizza should be at the top of every list! This chef-created, from-scratch recipe is sure to get your taste buds going!

In this recipe, we originally used meatballs, but you simply substitute the taco meat! The enchilada sauce (or this copycat Taco Bell Sauce) drizzled on top, along with the seasoned taco meat will surely make this a recipe you return to over and over again!

4. Disappearing Casserole

This cheesy and gooey casserole recipe is a wallet-friendly option as it uses leftover taco meat. Feel free to make it your own by experimenting with various meats or veggies. 

5. Taco Stuffed Zucchini Boats

These boats offer a fun twist on traditional tacos by replacing the tortillas with fresh zucchini halves. The recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to feed a crowd.

6. Taco Corn Casserole

This casserole can be made with either leftover taco meat or ground beef that’s cooked specifically for the recipe. Add your own personal touches, such as adding chopped vegetables or a different type of cheese.

7. Mini Taco Cups

If an appetizer is what you need, these mini taco cups will give you a nice crunch while answering your question about what to do with leftover taco meat! 

Pick up wonton wrappers, add in your meat, top as you like, and yum! Seriously satisfying, savory, crunchy appetizer ready to serve!

8. Cheesy Ground Beef Taco Dip

Your leftover homemade taco meat is a key ingredient in this layered taco dip with a Mexican spin. You can easily cut the recipe in half based on the amount of meat you have.

It is certainly a fun way to take your weeknight meal to the next level! Or at least lure the kids to the table! Here’s another easy, creamy Taco Dip variation we threw together that was super easy.

9. Leftover Taco Breakfast Scramble

This hearty breakfast dish combines fragrant rice, succulent BBQ pulled pork, and all the fixings you’d find in a taco. Pair it with warmed refried beans for an even heartier meal.

10. Taco Low Carb Cups

These delicious cups offer a low-carb twist on traditional tacos by using cheese as the shell. Simply bake the cups, and fill them with your favorite taco meat and toppings

11. Taco Pasta

This delectable Taco Pasta recipe dish is a fantastic way to utilize any remaining taco meat from your Taco Tuesday feast. It can be made with any type of pasta, but farfalle (bow ties) or spaghetti are recommended.

12. Salsa Bolognese

This recipe uses common ingredients you likely have at home. Cook the taco meat in a skillet with olive oil and seasoning, then add tomatoes and salsa and simmer until the sauce thickens.

13. Taco Bread

Taco Bread is a yummy leftover recipe with a crunchy exterior and a melty interior. It involves scooping out French bread, stuffing it with taco meat, cheese, and your preferred toppings, and baking until it’s golden and the cheese is gooey.

14. Taco Salad From Leftovers

This salad recipe is one of the best ways to repurpose your taco meat leftovers. Use top-quality ingredients and get creative by adding black beans, corn, quinoa, or veggies to enhance its flavor and appeal.

15. Taco Rice Tortilla Pizza

This leftover recipe melds the irresistible flavors of tacos with the classic appeal of pizza. Just spread a taco meat mixture onto a tortilla, layer with cheese, then bake until the cheese is melted and bubbling.

16. Taco Sliders

Taco Sliders put a tasty spin on traditional tacos, packing all the Mexican flavors into a fun and easy-to-eat slider. They’re great for parties, potlucks, or a quick weeknight meal.

17. Taco Empanadas

These hand pies are filled with creamy refried beans, melted cheese, and taco meat. Baked to perfection, they emerge from the oven with a golden brown, crispy exterior, delivering a tasty blend of savory and spicy flavors in every bite.

18. Cheesy Beef Enchiladas

These enchiladas use leftover taco meat, green chilies, sour cream, and red enchilada sauce. Arrange them tightly in one large pan or split them into two smaller pans if needed.

19. Leftover Taco Meat Bowls

These bowls boast a savory and subtly spicy profile, with notes of cumin, chili powder, and garlic. The cauliflower rice introduces a nutty flavor, while the chosen toppings contribute their distinctive tastes.

20. Enchilada Pasta Bake

This pasta dish marries the flavors of two beloved classics: enchiladas and pasta. Baked to perfection, it boasts a delectably gooey texture, with the cheese reaching a mouthwatering melted and bubbly state.

21. Taco Mac

This casserole is brimming with all your favorite taco toppings! While elbow macaroni is the classic option, feel free to get creative with pasta choices like rotini, shells, or penne to make it your own.

22. Mexican Creamy Taco Dip

Made from basic ingredients, this Mexican-inspired dip is destined to become a crowd-pleaser at any gathering. Pair it with crunchy tortilla chips or crisp veggies for an irresistible snacking experience. 

23. Cheesy Taco Rice Skillet

This dish is made from everyday pantry staples, bursting with flavor, and is family-friendly. The rice cooks in a tasty mix of salsa, garlic salt, cumin, and lime juice, then get topped with taco meat and cheese. 

24. Taco Pinwheels

Taco Pinwheels are a tasty and easy-to-make snack for parties and game days. Fill tortillas with cream cheese, salsa, and taco meat, and personalize them to suit your taste.

25. Chili

This chili boasts a hearty and flavorful profile, showcasing a clever incorporation of leftover taco meat. The process is simple: just brown the taco meat, toss in your preferred chili toppings, and let it simmer until it’s perfectly heated through.

26. Taco Crescent Bake

This casserole is ready in just 30 minutes! It features a flaky, buttery crust made from crescent rolls and is perfect for preparing in advance and reheating for a convenient meal. 

27. Taco Sticks

This easy-to-make appetizer or snack combines the flavors of tacos with the convenience of pizza dough. The sticks are baked until golden brown and crispy and then served with taco toppings.

The bottom line

We believe you will like some of these recipe ideas for different ways to use leftover taco meat.

I bet that you find yourself doubling the amount of ground beef you prepare just to ensure you have leftovers! That wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world, now would it? 

So let us know if this helps you use up your leftovers from Taco Tuesday. Of course, if you need side ideas to go with, here’s your epic list.

More Leftover Recipes

• Leftover Hot Dog Recipes 
• Leftover Pork Chop Recipes
• Leftover Tri Tip Recipes
• Leftover Fried Rice Recipes
• Leftover Ham Recipes
• Leftover Pork Tenderloin Recipes
• Leftover Quinoa Recipes
• Leftover Fish Recipes
• Leftover Crawfish Recipes
• Leftover Ribs Recipes
• Leftover Baked Chicken Recipes
• Leftover Spaghetti