Fluffy Scrambled Egg and Cheese Breakfast Tacos

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Quick Recipe Version (TL;DR)

  • Yield: 8 tacos (serves 4; 2 tacos each)
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes

Quick Ingredients

  • 8 small tortillas (6-inch flour or corn)
  • 8 large eggs
  • 3 tablespoons whole milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 medium yellow onion, diced (about 3/4 cup)
  • 1 bell pepper, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 1 cup sliced mushrooms (optional)
  • 1 packed cup baby spinach (about 1 ounce)
  • 1/2 cup salsa (plus more to serve)

Do This

  • 1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat; sauté onion, bell pepper, and mushrooms 6–8 minutes. Stir in spinach to wilt, 30–60 seconds. Remove.
  • 2. Whisk eggs, milk, salt, and pepper until smooth and slightly foamy.
  • 3. Warm tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat, 20–30 seconds per side; cover to keep warm.
  • 4. Melt 1 tablespoon butter over low heat; add eggs and gently stir until soft, fluffy curds form, 4–6 minutes.
  • 5. Off heat, fold in half the cheese to melt (about 1/2 cup).
  • 6. Fill each tortilla with eggs, vegetables, remaining cheese, and salsa.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Fluffy, tender scrambled eggs made gently over low heat (no dry bits).
  • Flexible toppings: keep it simple with salsa or add quick sautéed vegetables.
  • Fast and filling: ready in about 25 minutes with everyday ingredients.
  • Perfect for feeding a group because everyone can build their own tacos.

Grocery List

  • Produce: 1/2 medium yellow onion, 1 bell pepper, mushrooms (optional), baby spinach, salsa
  • Dairy: 8 large eggs, whole milk, unsalted butter, shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack
  • Pantry: tortillas, olive oil, kosher salt, black pepper

Full Ingredients

For the Sautéed Vegetables (Simple, Optional but Recommended)

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 medium yellow onion, diced (about 3/4 cup)
  • 1 bell pepper (any color), diced (about 1 cup)
  • 1 cup sliced mushrooms (optional)
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 packed cup baby spinach (about 1 ounce)

For the Fluffy Scrambled Eggs

  • 8 large eggs
  • 3 tablespoons whole milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided (1 tablespoon for eggs, 1 tablespoon optional for warming tortillas)

For Assembling

  • 8 small tortillas (6-inch flour or corn)
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup salsa, plus more to serve

Optional Toppings (Choose 1–3)

  • 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
  • 1/2 small avocado, sliced
  • 2 tablespoons sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon pickled jalapeños
  • 2 lime wedges
Fluffy Scrambled Egg and Cheese Breakfast Tacos – Closeup

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prep your toppings and set up your station

Set out the salsa, shred the cheese if needed, and have a clean plate ready for the cooked vegetables. If you’re using optional toppings (cilantro, avocado, sour cream), prep them now so you can assemble quickly while the eggs are still warm.

Step 2: Sauté the vegetables until sweet and tender

Place a large skillet (10–12 inches) over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil. When the oil shimmers, add the diced onion, diced bell pepper, and sliced mushrooms (if using). Season with 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper.

Cook, stirring occasionally, for 6–8 minutes, until the onion is soft and the peppers are tender. Add the spinach and stir just until wilted, 30–60 seconds. Transfer vegetables to a plate and keep nearby.

Step 3: Whisk the eggs for extra fluff

In a medium bowl, whisk together 8 eggs, 3 tablespoons whole milk, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper until the mixture looks uniform and slightly foamy, about 20–30 seconds. This quick whisk helps build a lighter texture.

Step 4: Warm the tortillas so they fold without cracking

Wipe out the skillet if needed (or use a second skillet). Warm tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for 20–30 seconds per side, just until pliable with a few toasted spots.

Optional: For richer tortillas, melt up to 1 tablespoon butter and lightly swipe each tortilla through the butter as you warm it. Stack warmed tortillas on a plate and cover with a clean towel to keep them warm.

Step 5: Scramble the eggs low and slow

Return the skillet to the stove over low heat. Add 1 tablespoon unsalted butter and let it melt completely without browning.

Pour in the egg mixture. Let it sit for about 20 seconds, then use a silicone spatula to gently push eggs from the edges toward the center in slow strokes. Continue cooking over low heat, stirring occasionally (not constantly), for 4–6 minutes, until the eggs form soft curds and are just set. They should look slightly glossy; they will finish cooking from residual heat.

Step 6: Melt in cheese for creamy, cohesive eggs

Remove the skillet from the heat. Immediately fold in 1/2 cup of the shredded cheese (half the total). Stir gently until it melts and the eggs look creamy and fluffy.

Step 7: Assemble the breakfast tacos and serve right away

Lay out the warm tortillas. Divide the scrambled eggs evenly among them (about 1/2 cup eggs per taco, depending on how you portion).

Top each taco with a spoonful of the sautéed vegetables, a sprinkle of the remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheese, and 1 tablespoon salsa (or more to taste). Serve immediately while everything is hot and the cheese is melty.

Pro Tips

  • Keep the heat low for eggs: Low heat (not medium) is the easiest way to avoid dry, crumbly scrambled eggs.
  • Pull the eggs early: Take the pan off the burner when eggs look softly set and a little glossy; residual heat finishes the job.
  • Season in the bowl: Mixing salt into the eggs before cooking helps season evenly and keeps you from over-stirring later.
  • Warm tortillas properly: Even 30 seconds per side makes a big difference in flavor and prevents tearing.
  • Don’t overload: Too much filling makes tacos hard to fold and more likely to spill; aim for a balanced layer of eggs plus toppings.

Variations

  • Spicy chorizo-style: Add 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika and 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin to the vegetables, and use pepper jack cheese.
  • Southwest black bean: Add 1/2 cup canned black beans (rinsed and drained) to the vegetables for the last 2 minutes of sautéing.
  • Extra simple: Skip the vegetables and serve eggs + cheese + salsa only (you’ll be done faster, and it’s still delicious).

Storage & Make-Ahead

Best fresh: Scrambled eggs are at their fluffiest right after cooking.

Refrigerate: Store leftover eggs and vegetables in separate airtight containers for up to 3 days. Keep tortillas sealed at room temperature if using within 2 days, or refrigerate for longer storage per package directions.

Reheat: Rewarm eggs gently in a nonstick skillet over low heat with 1–2 teaspoons water, stirring just until heated through, about 2–3 minutes. Reheat vegetables over medium heat for 2–3 minutes. Warm tortillas in a dry skillet 20–30 seconds per side.

Make-ahead tip: Chop the onion and pepper up to 24 hours ahead and store refrigerated. Shred cheese ahead to make morning assembly faster.

Nutrition (per serving)

Approximate, per serving (2 tacos): 520 calories, 28 g protein, 34 g carbohydrates, 31 g fat, 13 g saturated fat, 1,080 mg sodium, 3 g fiber, 6 g sugar.

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