Oven-Baked Cheesy Tacos Recipe
Introduction
Oven-baked cheesy tacos are a delicious and easy meal that combines seasoned ground beef with melted cheese and fresh toppings. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, these tacos are crispy, flavorful, and customizable to your taste.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade mix)
- ⅔ cup tomato sauce or salsa
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 8 hard taco shells
- 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend)
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- ½ cup diced tomatoes
- ¼ cup diced red onion
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro (optional)
- Sour cream (optional)
- Guacamole (optional)
- Jalapeño slices (optional)
- Hot sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and arrange the hard taco shells upright in a baking dish to prepare for filling.
- Step 2: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and finely diced onion together until the beef is browned. Drain any excess fat.
- Step 3: Add the minced garlic and taco seasoning to the skillet, stirring for about one minute until fragrant. Pour in the tomato sauce or salsa and let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes to blend flavors. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Step 4: Spoon the seasoned beef mixture evenly into each taco shell, then sprinkle generously with shredded cheese.
- Step 5: Place the baking dish with the filled tacos in the oven. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, until the cheese has melted and the shells are crisp and golden.
- Step 6: Remove the tacos from the oven and top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, red onion, and chopped cilantro if using. Serve warm with optional sour cream, guacamole, jalapeño slices, and hot sauce for extra flavor.
Tips & Variations
- For a healthier option, use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef.
- Try adding black beans or corn to the beef mixture for extra texture and nutrition.
- Use soft tortillas instead of hard taco shells for a different taco experience.
- Make your own taco seasoning mix with chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and salt for more control over spices.
- Top with pickled jalapeños or fresh avocado slices for added zing and creaminess.
Storage
Store leftover taco filling and toppings separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Assemble and bake tacos fresh when ready to serve for best texture. Reheat the beef mixture in a skillet or microwave and warm taco shells in the oven for a few minutes before assembling again.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make these tacos ahead of time?
You can prepare the beef filling and chop your toppings ahead, then assemble and bake the tacos just before serving to keep shells crisp and cheese melted.
What can I use instead of hard taco shells?
If you prefer soft tacos, warm flour or corn tortillas work well. You can lightly toast them in a pan before filling for a bit of crispness.
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Oven-Baked Cheesy Tacos Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 tacos 1x
Description
These Oven-Baked Cheesy Tacos are a delightful and easy-to-make meal featuring seasoned ground beef nestled in crispy hard taco shells, topped generously with melted cheese and fresh vegetables. Perfect for a family dinner or casual gathering, this recipe combines bold Mexican flavors with a cheesy indulgence baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Meat & Seasoning
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade mix)
- ⅔ cup tomato sauce or salsa
- Salt & pepper to taste
Taco Shells & Cheese
- 8 hard taco shells
- 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend)
Fresh Toppings
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- ½ cup diced tomatoes
- ¼ cup diced red onion
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro (optional)
Optional Garnishes
- Sour cream (optional)
- Guacamole (optional)
- Jalapeño slices (optional)
- Hot sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Heat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the hard taco shells upright in a baking dish, ensuring they are stable and won’t tip over during baking.
- Cook Beef Mixture: Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the ground beef together with the finely diced onion until the meat is well browned and the onion is translucent. Drain any excess fat from the skillet. Add the minced garlic and taco seasoning, stirring it all together for about 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the tomato sauce or salsa and let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Assemble Tacos: Spoon the seasoned beef mixture evenly into each hard taco shell. Then, sprinkle each taco generously with shredded cheese, ensuring a good layer on top.
- Bake: Place the baking dish with the assembled tacos into the preheated oven. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese has fully melted and the taco shells are crisp and golden brown.
- Add Fresh Toppings: Carefully remove the tacos from the oven. Top each taco with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, diced red onion, and chopped cilantro, if desired. Serve warm with optional sides like sour cream, guacamole, jalapeño slices, or hot sauce for extra flavor.
Notes
- For a healthier option, use lean ground beef or substitute with ground turkey or chicken.
- Make your own taco seasoning to control sodium and additives.
- Ensure taco shells are upright and stable before baking to prevent spills.
- Customize toppings to suit your taste—add avocado slices or pickled jalapeños for extra zest.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven to keep shells crisp.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Keywords: cheesy tacos, oven baked tacos, ground beef tacos, easy taco recipe, baked taco shells, Mexican dinner
