Oven-Baked Cheesy Tacos Recipe

Introduction

These oven-baked cheesy tacos are a delicious and easy way to enjoy a classic Mexican favorite with a crispy shell and melty cheese. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, they come together in just 35 minutes and serve eight hungry guests.

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

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the hard taco shells upright in a baking dish, making sure they are stable and won’t tip over during baking.
2. Step 2: Heat a skillet over medium heat. Cook the ground beef together with the finely diced onion until the beef is well browned and the onion becomes translucent. Drain any excess fat.
3. Step 3: Add the minced garlic and taco seasoning to the skillet. Stir the mixture for about 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Step 4: Pour in the tomato sauce or salsa and let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes to blend the flavors well.
5. Step 5: Spoon the seasoned beef mixture evenly into each hard taco shell. Then sprinkle each taco generously with shredded cheese.
6. Step 6: Place the baking dish with the assembled tacos into the preheated oven. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese has melted fully and the taco shells are crisp and golden brown.
7. Step 7: Carefully remove the tacos from the oven. Top each taco with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, diced red onion, and chopped cilantro if desired.
8. Step 8: Serve warm with optional sides such as sour cream, guacamole, jalapeño slices, or hot sauce for extra flavor.

Tips & Variations

• For a spicier kick, add some chopped jalapeños into the beef mixture before baking.
• Substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
• Try mixing different types of cheese for a more complex flavor, such as adding queso fresco or pepper jack.
• Use a homemade taco seasoning to control salt and spice levels.
• To keep shells crispier, avoid overfilling with sauce before baking.

Storage

Store leftover tacos in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes to maintain crispiness. Microwaving may soften the shell, so reheating in the oven is recommended.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare these tacos ahead of time?

You can assemble the tacos with the beef mixture and cheese, then refrigerate uncovered for a short time. However, bake them just before serving to keep the shells crisp and cheese perfectly melted.

What can I use if I don’t have taco shells?

You can use soft flour tortillas instead. Simply assemble the beef and cheese in the tortillas, then bake them wrapped in foil or warm them on a skillet until the cheese melts.

Oven-Baked Cheesy Tacos Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 131 reviews

This Oven-Baked Cheesy Tacos recipe combines seasoned ground beef with a melty cheese topping inside crispy hard taco shells. Baked to perfection, these tacos offer a deliciously warm, cheesy, and crunchy experience topped with fresh lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and optional garnishes like sour cream and guacamole. Perfect for an easy weeknight meal that serves 8 and is ready in just 35 minutes.

• Author: lina
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Beef Mixture

• 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

Tacos

• 8 hard taco shells
• 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend)

Toppings (Optional)

• 1 cup shredded lettuce
• ½ cup diced tomatoes
• ¼ cup diced red onion
• 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
• Sour cream
• Guacamole
• Jalapeño slices
• Hot sauce

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Heat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the hard taco shells upright in a baking dish to ensure stability during baking.
2. Cook Beef Mixture: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with the finely diced onion until the meat is browned and the onion becomes translucent. Drain excess fat. Add minced garlic and taco seasoning, stirring for about 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the tomato sauce or salsa and let it simmer for 5 minutes to blend flavors.
3. Assemble Tacos: Spoon the seasoned beef mixture evenly into each hard taco shell. Generously sprinkle shredded cheese on top of each filled shell.
4. Bake: Place the baking dish with assembled tacos into the preheated oven. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes until the cheese melts fully and the shells turn crisp and golden.
5. Add Fresh Toppings: Remove tacos carefully from the oven and top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, diced red onion, and chopped cilantro. Serve warm with optional sides like sour cream, guacamole, jalapeño slices, or hot sauce for added flavor.

Notes

• For extra flavor, try using homemade taco seasoning.
• Drain excess fat from the beef to reduce greasiness and calories.
• Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
• To make this recipe gluten-free, ensure taco shells and seasoning mix are labeled gluten-free.
• Customize toppings based on preference or dietary needs.
• Use a sturdy baking dish to prevent taco shells from tipping during baking.

Keywords: Oven-baked tacos, cheesy tacos, ground beef tacos, Mexican recipe, quick taco dinner, baked hard shell tacos, easy taco recipe