Oven-Baked Cheesy Tacos (Crispy & Loaded) Recipe
Oven-Baked Cheesy Tacos are a delicious twist on classic tacos, featuring crispy taco shells filled with seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, and fresh toppings. This easy-to-make recipe combines savory flavors and a delightful crunch for a flavorful and satisfying meal perfect for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 tacos 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Filling
- 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
- Preheat Oven: Heat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and arrange the hard taco shells upright in a baking dish to ensure they bake evenly and retain their shape.
- Cook Beef Mixture: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef along with the diced onion until the meat is browned and the onion is tender. Drain excess fat to reduce greasiness. Add the minced garlic and taco seasoning, stirring for about one minute to release the flavors. Pour in the tomato sauce or salsa and let it simmer for 5 minutes to meld the ingredients together.
- Assemble Tacos: Spoon the seasoned beef mixture evenly into each taco shell. Generously sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top to prepare for melting.
- Bake: Place the baking dish with filled taco shells into the preheated oven. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the taco shells are crisp and golden brown.
- Add Fresh Toppings: Remove the tacos from the oven and top them with the shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, diced red onion, and chopped cilantro if using. Serve warm with optional sour cream, guacamole, jalapeño slices, and hot sauce to add extra flavor and spice according to taste.
Notes
- Make sure to drain excess fat from the beef mixture to keep the tacos from being greasy.
- To add extra flavor, you can use a homemade taco seasoning if preferred.
- Feel free to customize toppings based on your preferences, such as adding avocado slices or different salsas.
- For a milder option, omit jalapeño slices and hot sauce.
- These tacos are best enjoyed immediately to keep the shells crisp.
Keywords: oven-baked tacos, cheesy tacos, crispy tacos, ground beef tacos, easy taco recipe, Mexican food, dinner recipe
