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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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Find it online: https://foodbylina.com/oven-baked-cheesy-tacos-recipe/