Wrap a sturdy ruler in foil and hang it between two glasses or mugs, to create a tool for shaping the taco shells.
Place ½ cup (2 oz) shredded cheddar on a piece of parchment paper. Spread it thinly into a 6-inch circle. Microwave on high until golden brown, about 1:30 minutes. Keep in mind that microwave ovens vary.
Allow the cheddar to cool for no more than a couple of seconds, just until you can bear touching it. You want it to remain pliable. Gently peel it off the parchment paper, and fold it over the ruler, as shown in the video below. This will shape the cheddar crisp into a taco shell.
Repeat three more times with the remaining cheese. Place the formed cheddar taco shells on plates.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef. There’s no need to add fat – the meat will release fat fairly quickly. Cook, stirring to break up the meat, until the meat is no longer raw, about 5 minutes. Drain well.
Return the meat to the skillet and reduce the heat to medium. Stir the taco seasoning and 2-4 tablespoons of water into the meat (start with 2 and see if you need to add more). Keep cooking for 2 more minutes.
Remove the skillet from the heat. Scoop the meat up from the skillet, dividing it evenly among the cheddar shells. Add your choice of toppings (such as sour cream, guacamole, and salsa) and serve.
Video
Notes
Nutrition info does not include toppings.
You can use ground chicken or turkey instead of ground beef, but make sure to use ground dark meat. White meat could be too dry.
You'll want to microwave the cheddar shells until crispy but still pliable, and you should allow them to cool for no more than a couple of seconds before shaping them into tacos. If they become too crunchy, they'll break as you try to shape them.
The only component of this recipe that can be stored is cooked ground beef. You can keep it in the fridge, in an airtight container, for up to 3 days. Reheat it in the microwave. The assembled tacos won't keep as leftovers, and as mentioned above, even the cheddar shells by themselves will lose their crispness when stored.