Oven-Baked Cheesy Tacos (Printer-Friendly)
Crispy shells filled with seasoned beef, gooey cheese, and fresh toppings baked to a golden finish.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Meat
01 -
1 lb ground beef
→ Vegetables and Aromatics
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 and Sauces
09 -
1 packet taco seasoning
10 -
⅔ cup tomato sauce or salsa
11 -
Salt and pepper to taste
12 -
Hot sauce (optional)
→ Dairy
13 -
2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend)
14 -
Sour cream (optional)
→ Baking Essentials
15 -
8 hard taco shells
16 -
Guacamole (optional)
# Steps to Follow:
01 -
Set the oven to 400°F. Arrange the hard taco shells upright in a baking dish to maintain their shape during baking.
02 -
In a skillet over medium heat, brown ground beef with diced onion until meat is fully cooked and onion softened. Drain excess fat. Add minced garlic and taco seasoning; stir for 1 minute. Pour in tomato sauce or salsa, then simmer for 5 minutes to meld flavors.
03 -
Evenly distribute the seasoned beef mixture into each taco shell. Generously top each with shredded cheese.
04 -
Place the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes until the cheese has melted and shells turn golden and crispy.
05 -
Remove tacos from oven and garnish with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, red onion, and chopped cilantro if using. Serve warm with optional sour cream, guacamole, jalapeño slices, or hot sauce as desired.
# Helpful Hints:
01 -
Use lean ground beef to reduce fat content without compromising flavor.
02 -
Avoid overfilling taco shells to ensure even melting of cheese and maintain crispiness.
03 -
For extra crunch, consider broiling tacos for the last minute of baking.
04 -
Prepare tacos ahead and reheat in the oven to retain crisp texture.