Oven-Baked Cheesy Tacos Recipe
Introduction
Oven-baked cheesy tacos are a delicious and easy way to enjoy a classic favorite with a melty, crispy twist. Perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings, this recipe combines savory seasoned meat with gooey cheese and fresh toppings.
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
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a baking dish or line it with foil for easy cleanup.
- Step 2: In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant and soft.
- Step 3: Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks through. Stir in the taco seasoning, tomato sauce (or salsa), and season with salt and pepper. Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Step 4: Fill each warmed taco shell with the meat mixture. Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded cheese over each filled shell, then arrange them standing side by side in the prepared baking dish.
- Step 5: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the tacos are slightly crispy around the edges.
- Step 6: Remove from the oven and top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, red onion, and chopped cilantro. Add optional toppings like sour cream, guacamole, jalapeños, or hot sauce as desired before serving.
Tips & Variations
- For a lighter option, swap ground beef for ground turkey or chicken without sacrificing flavor.
- Make your own taco seasoning with chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and oregano for a fresher taste.
- Use corn taco shells for a gluten-free version, or flour shells for a softer bite.
- Add black beans or corn to the meat mixture for extra texture and nutrition.
- Top with a squeeze of fresh lime juice to brighten the flavors right before serving.
Storage
Store leftover baked tacos in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes to keep the shells crispy, or microwave covered for about 1-2 minutes if short on time. Fresh toppings like lettuce and sour cream are best added just before serving to maintain their texture.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I prepare the meat mixture ahead of time?
Yes, you can cook the meat mixture a day in advance and refrigerate it. When ready to bake, simply assemble the tacos and bake as directed.
What can I use if I don’t have taco shells?
You can use small tortillas, either warmed or lightly crisped in a pan, or even use tortilla chips for a taco salad version.
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Oven-Baked Cheesy Tacos Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 10 tacos 1x
Description
Oven-Baked Cheesy Tacos are a delicious and easy-to-make twist on traditional tacos. Ground beef cooked with flavorful taco seasoning is stuffed into warmed taco shells, generously topped with melted cheddar cheese, and then baked to perfection. Finished with fresh lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and cilantro, this dish combines the best of crispy, cheesy, and fresh flavors in each bite, making it an ideal meal for family dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Meat Mixture
- 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
Tacos
- 10 small taco shells (flour or corn, slightly warmed)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or Mexican blend)
Toppings
- 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 Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a baking dish or line it with foil to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Cook Meat Mixture: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant and translucent. Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Stir in taco seasoning, tomato sauce or salsa, and season with salt and pepper. Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes so flavors combine and excess moisture reduces.
- Assemble Tacos: Spoon the meat mixture evenly into the warmed taco shells. Generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese or Mexican cheese blend over the meat-filled shells. Place the filled tacos standing side by side in the prepared baking dish.
- Bake Tacos: Bake in the preheated oven for 10–15 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted and the tacos have a slightly crispy texture.
- Add Fresh Toppings: Remove the tacos from the oven and immediately top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, red onions, and chopped cilantro. Add optional toppings such as sour cream, jalapeños, guacamole, or hot sauce to enhance the flavor according to your preference.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for ground beef for a leaner option.
- Use corn taco shells for a gluten-free alternative if preferred.
- If using store-bought taco seasoning, check for sodium content and adjust salt accordingly.
- Warming the taco shells before filling helps them stay crisp longer during baking.
- For extra crispy tacos, broil for an additional 1-2 minutes at the end, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Customize toppings based on season and preference for freshness and flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Keywords: Oven-Baked Tacos, Cheesy Tacos, Ground Beef Tacos, Mexican Tacos, Easy Taco Recipe, Baked Tacos
