Description
Oven-Baked Cheesy Tacos are a delicious and easy-to-make recipe featuring seasoned ground beef, melted cheddar cheese, and fresh toppings, all baked to crispy perfection. This comforting Mexican-inspired dish is perfect for a family dinner or casual gathering, offering a satisfying blend of flavors and textures.
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
Taco Assembly
- 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: Sour cream, Jalapeños, Guacamole, Hot sauce
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a baking dish or line it with foil 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 up with a spoon as it cooks. Stir in taco seasoning, tomato sauce or salsa, and season with salt and pepper. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes to combine flavors.
- Assemble Tacos: Fill each warmed taco shell evenly with the meat mixture. Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded cheddar cheese over the top of each filled shell. Place the tacos standing side by side in the prepared baking dish to keep them upright and hold their shape.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese has melted completely and the taco shells turn lightly crispy on the edges.
- Add Fresh Toppings: Remove the tacos from the oven. Top each taco with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, red onions, and chopped cilantro. Add optional toppings such as sour cream, jalapeños, guacamole, or hot sauce to taste before serving.
Notes
- For a healthier option, substitute ground turkey or chicken for beef.
- Warm taco shells before filling to prevent them from breaking during baking.
- If you prefer spicier tacos, add extra jalapeños or hot sauce topping.
- Use freshly shredded cheese for better melting compared to pre-shredded options.
- Leftover tacos can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days; reheat in the oven for best texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking, Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 taco
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0.2g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: oven baked tacos, cheesy tacos, ground beef tacos, crispy tacos, Mexican tacos, easy taco recipe
