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
Scale
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
