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Oven-Baked Cheesy Tacos

A fun twist on traditional tacos, these Oven-Baked Cheesy Tacos are crispy, cheesy, and perfect for family dinners or game days.

  • Total Time: 45 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 (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. 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 onion until browned. Drain excess fat, then add minced garlic and taco seasoning; stir for 1 minute. Pour in the tomato sauce and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
  3. Spoon the seasoned beef evenly into the taco shells and sprinkle with shredded cheese.
  4. Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the shells are crisp and golden.
  5. Remove from the oven and top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, diced red onion, and cilantro if desired. Serve warm with sour cream or guacamole on the side.

Notes

For added flavor, consider incorporating chopped bell peppers into the beef mixture. A vegetarian option can be made by substituting ground beef with black beans or lentils.

  • Author: jessica-baker
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Mexican
  • Diet: None

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 400mg
  • Fat: 12g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 45g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 15g
  • Cholesterol: 30mg

Keywords: tacos, cheesy tacos, oven-baked, family dinner, Mexican food