Oven-Baked Cheesy Tacos (Printer-Friendly)
Crispy baked tacos filled with savory beef and melted cheese, topped with fresh ingredients for a flavorful meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Protein
01 -
1 pound ground beef
→ Vegetables
02 -
1 small onion, finely diced
03 -
2 cloves garlic, minced
04 -
½ cup diced tomatoes
05 -
¼ cup diced red onion
06 -
1 cup shredded lettuce
07 -
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro (optional)
08 -
Jalapeño slices (optional)
→ Seasonings & Sauces
09 -
1 packet taco seasoning or equivalent homemade mix
10 -
⅔ cup tomato sauce or salsa
11 -
Salt and black pepper, to taste
12 -
Hot sauce (optional)
→ Dairy
13 -
2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend)
14 -
Sour cream (optional)
→ Others
15 -
8 hard taco shells
16 -
Guacamole (optional)
# Steps to Follow:
01 -
Preheat oven to 400°F. Arrange hard taco shells upright in a baking dish to keep their shape during baking.
02 -
In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef and diced onion until beef is browned and onion softened. Drain excess fat. Add minced garlic and taco seasoning; stir for 1 minute. Pour in tomato sauce or salsa and simmer for 5 minutes to meld flavors.
03 -
Evenly spoon the seasoned beef mixture into each taco shell, filling generously. Top each with a copious amount of shredded cheese.
04 -
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and taco shells are golden and crisp.
05 -
Remove tacos from the oven. Garnish with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, red onion, and chopped cilantro if desired. Serve warm with optional sour cream, guacamole, jalapeño slices, and hot sauce.
# Extra Suggestions:
01 -
Use lean ground beef for a healthier option and avoid greasy filling. Avoid overfilling shells to allow cheese melting. Broil for an extra minute if a crispier top is preferred.
02 -
These can be prepared ahead and reheated; freeze uncooked assembled tacos for convenient future meals.