Oven-Baked Cheesy Tacos Recipe
Introduction
Oven-baked cheesy tacos are a delicious and easy way to enjoy a classic Mexican favorite with a crispy twist. Packed with seasoned ground beef and melty cheese, these tacos are perfect for a family dinner or casual get-together.
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). Arrange the taco shells upright in a baking dish to keep their shape while baking.
- Step 2: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion until the beef is browned and the onion is soft. Drain any excess fat from the pan.
- Step 3: Add the minced garlic and taco seasoning to the skillet, stirring for about 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the tomato sauce or salsa, then simmer the mixture for 5 minutes to blend the flavors. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Step 4: Spoon the seasoned beef mixture evenly into each taco shell. Generously sprinkle shredded cheese over the beef in each shell.
- Step 5: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the taco 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 sour cream, guacamole, jalapeño slices, and hot sauce as desired.
Tips & Variations
- For a spicier kick, add chopped jalapeños to the beef mixture or try a spicier taco seasoning blend.
- Swap ground beef for ground chicken or turkey for a lighter version.
- Use soft tortillas instead of hard shells if preferred; just adjust baking time accordingly to avoid burning.
- Top with diced avocado instead of guacamole for a fresh twist.
Storage
Store leftover tacos in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, place them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes to keep the shells crisp. Avoid microwaving as it can make the shells soggy.
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 mixture in advance and refrigerate it for up to 2 days. Assemble and bake the tacos just before serving to keep the shells crispy.
What can I use if I don’t have taco seasoning?
A simple homemade mix of chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper works well as a substitute for store-bought taco seasoning.
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Oven-Baked Cheesy Tacos Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 tacos 1x
Description
These Oven-Baked Cheesy Tacos deliver a perfect blend of savory, cheesy goodness and fresh toppings. Ground beef is seasoned and simmered before being loaded into crisp taco shells, topped with melted cheese, and baked to golden perfection. Finished with fresh lettuce, tomato, onion, and optional garnishes like sour cream and guacamole, this recipe offers a crowd-pleasing taco night meal that’s easy to prepare and irresistibly delicious.
Ingredients
Beef Filling
- 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 Assembly
- 8 hard taco shells
- 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend)
Toppings
- 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
- Preheat Oven: Heat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the hard taco shells upright in a baking dish, preparing them to be filled and baked.
- Cook Beef Mixture: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and finely diced onion until the beef is browned and cooked through. Drain any excess fat. Add the minced garlic and taco seasoning; stir for about 1 minute to release the flavors. Pour in the tomato sauce or salsa and let the mixture simmer gently for 5 minutes to meld the flavors and thicken slightly.
- Assemble Tacos: Spoon the seasoned beef mixture evenly into each taco shell. Generously sprinkle shredded cheese over the filled shells, ensuring every taco has a cheesy topping.
- Bake: Place the baking dish with the assembled tacos into the preheated oven. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted, bubbly, and the taco shells become crisp and golden brown.
- Add Fresh Toppings: Carefully remove the tacos from the oven. Top each taco with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, red onion, and chopped cilantro if using. Serve the tacos warm accompanied by optional sides such as sour cream, guacamole, jalapeño slices, and hot sauce for personalized flavor enhancements.
Notes
- Use homemade taco seasoning for a fresher, customizable flavor if preferred.
- Drain excess fat from ground beef to reduce greasiness in the tacos.
- Add jalapeño slices or hot sauce for extra heat according to taste.
- For a milder version, omit jalapeños and hot sauce.
- Hard taco shells can be substituted with soft tortillas if preferred but baking time may vary.
- Leftover taco filling can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for later use.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Keywords: oven baked tacos, cheesy tacos, ground beef tacos, Mexican dinner, easy taco recipe, baked tacos with cheese
