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
Scale
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
