Hard Shell Tacos with Walnut Meat

By The Kitchn
Total Time
36 Mins
Serves
6
Serving Size
2
Meal
Dinner Lunch
Course
Main

DESCRIPTION

These tacos are filled with a spicy walnut and black bean “meat”. Paired with melted cheese and crunchy shells, they’re perfect for taco Tuesday or a quick weeknight meal.

Prep Time
20 Mins
Cook Time
16 Mins
Total Time
36 Mins
Calories
470
Total Fat
33
Saturated Fat
6
Polyunsaturated Fat
12.7
Monounsaturated Fat
7.116
Cholesterol
20
Sodium
740
Carbohydrates
33
Dietary Fiber
9
Total Sugars
2
Protein
15
Vitamin D
0
Calcium
190
Iron
4
Potassium
510

Ingredients

Walnut Meat

  • 1 1/4 cups California walnuts
  • 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained, divided
  • 2 tablespoons taco seasoning mix, homemade or store-bought
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided

Tacos

  • 12 crispy taco shells
  • 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup blended tomato salsa (not chunky)
  • 1 1/2 cups thinly sliced romaine lettuce heart
  • 1 medium tomato, diced
  • Sour cream, pickled jalapeños, additional salsa or hot sauce (optional toppings)

Preparation

  1. Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 375°F.
  2. To prepare walnut meat, place walnuts and 3/4 cup black beans in a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped. Add taco seasoning and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Pulse, stopping to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed, until the mixture is finely chopped and resembles ground beef.
  3. Heat remaining olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add walnut
    meat and remaining beans and cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes or until browned and slightly crispy. Add salsa and cook, stirring, until thoroughly mixed in, about 1 minute more. (The mixture will look wet but will re-crisp in the oven). Set aside and keep warm.
  4. To prepare tacos, place taco shells with their opening facing up in a 9x13-inch
    baking dish. Place half the cheese in the shells. Bake for 5 minutes or until the
    cheese is melted and the shells are heated through.
  5. Spoon equal amounts of walnut meat over cheese and top with remaining cheese. Return to the oven and bake for 5 minutes or cheese is melted.
  6. Top tacos with lettuce and tomato. Serve with any desired toppings.