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Oven-Baked Cheesy Tacos

A fun and delicious twist on traditional tacos, baked for a crispy texture and loaded with flavor.

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
  • 1 small onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • 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. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and arrange the taco shells upright in a baking dish.
  2. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion until browned. Drain excess fat. Add in the minced garlic and taco seasoning; stir for 1 minute. Pour in the tomato sauce and let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
  3. Spoon the seasoned beef mixture evenly into each taco shell. Top each taco generously with shredded cheese.
  4. Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the taco shells are crisp and golden.
  5. Remove from the oven and top with lettuce, tomatoes, diced red onion, and cilantro if using. Serve warm with sour cream or guacamole if desired.

Notes

For extra flavor, try adding black beans or corn to the beef mixture. You can also use ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.

  • Author: jessica-baker
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Mexican
  • Diet: None

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 taco
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Sodium: 600mg
  • Fat: 20g
  • Saturated Fat: 10g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 30g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 18g
  • Cholesterol: 45mg

Keywords: tacos, cheesy tacos, baked tacos, easy dinner, family meal