Description
These Oven-Baked Cheesy Tacos are a comforting and flavorful meal featuring seasoned ground beef baked with melted cheese in crispy taco shells. Topped with fresh lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and cilantro, they offer a perfect combination of savory and fresh textures, ideal for a family dinner or casual gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey/chicken)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade mix)
- ½ cup tomato sauce or salsa
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- 10 small taco shells (flour or corn, slightly warmed)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or Mexican blend)
- 1 cup lettuce, shredded
- ½ cup diced tomatoes
- ½ cup red onion, diced
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Optional Toppings
- Sour cream
- Jalapeños
- Guacamole
- Hot sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a baking dish or line it with foil for easy cleanup.
- Cook the Beef Mixture: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing until they become fragrant and translucent. Add the ground beef, breaking it up as it cooks. Stir in taco seasoning, tomato sauce, salt, and pepper. Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Assemble the Tacos: Fill each warmed taco shell with the cooked meat mixture. Sprinkle generously with shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese. Arrange the filled taco shells side by side in the prepared baking dish, standing upright if possible.
- Bake the Tacos: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the tacos are slightly crispy around the edges.
- Add Fresh Toppings: Remove the tacos from the oven. Top each taco with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, red onion, and chopped cilantro. Add optional toppings like sour cream, jalapeños, guacamole, or hot sauce as desired before serving.
Notes
- If preferred, ground turkey or chicken can be used as a leaner alternative to ground beef.
- Warm the taco shells slightly before filling to prevent cracking during baking.
- Use homemade taco seasoning to control salt and spice levels.
- For extra crispiness, broil the tacos for 1-2 minutes after baking but watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Customize toppings to suit your taste or dietary preferences.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Keywords: oven baked tacos, cheesy tacos, ground beef tacos, baked taco recipe, easy taco dinner, Mexican tacos
