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Oven-Baked Cheesy Tacos Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 93 reviews

Oven-Baked Cheesy Tacos are a delicious and easy-to-make Mexican-inspired main dish that combines seasoned ground beef with melted cheese in crispy taco shells. Finished with fresh toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, and cilantro, these tacos are perfect for a comforting weeknight meal or casual gathering.

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

  • 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 Oven: Heat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the hard taco shells upright in a baking dish to prepare them for filling and baking.
  2. Cook Beef Mixture: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and finely diced onion until the beef is browned and cooked through. Drain any excess fat. Add the minced garlic and taco seasoning to the skillet, stirring for about 1 minute to combine the flavors. Then pour in the tomato sauce or salsa and let it simmer for 5 minutes to thicken and develop a rich taste.
  3. Assemble Tacos: Evenly spoon the seasoned beef mixture into the upright taco shells. Generously sprinkle each taco with shredded cheese to ensure a delicious cheesy layer.
  4. Bake: Place the baking dish with the filled tacos into the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes. Bake until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the taco shells become crisp and golden.
  5. Add Fresh Toppings: Remove the tacos from the oven and top them with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, diced red onions, and chopped cilantro if using. Serve warm with optional sour cream, guacamole, jalapeño slices for a spicy kick, and hot sauce to taste.

Notes

  • Feel free to customize toppings based on your preference to add more or less spice, freshness, or creaminess.
  • For an extra spicy version, add jalapeño slices inside the tacos before baking.
  • These tacos can be prepared in advance and reheated in the oven when ready to serve.

Keywords: oven baked tacos, cheesy tacos, Mexican tacos, easy taco recipe, ground beef tacos, baked taco shells

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