Description

These Oven-Baked Cheesy Tacos are a delicious, crispy, and cheesy twist on classic tacos. Ground beef is seasoned and simmered in a savory tomato sauce, then filled into taco shells, topped with melty cheddar cheese, and baked until crispy and bubbly. Fresh lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and cilantro add a refreshing crunch, making this recipe a perfect easy weeknight meal or crowd-pleasing party dish.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat Mixture

1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey/chicken)
1 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade mix)
½ cup tomato sauce or salsa
Salt & pepper, to taste

Tacos

10 small taco shells (flour or corn, slightly warmed)
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or Mexican blend)

Toppings

1 cup lettuce, shredded
½ cup diced tomatoes
½ cup red onion, diced
¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Optional: Sour cream, Jalapeños, Guacamole, Hot sauce

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Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a baking dish or line it with foil to prevent sticking.
Cook the Meat Mixture: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant and softened. Add the ground beef, breaking it up as it cooks until browned. Stir in the taco seasoning, tomato sauce or salsa, and season with salt and pepper. Allow it to simmer gently for about 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
Assemble the Tacos: Fill each warmed taco shell generously with the cooked meat mixture. Sprinkle each with shredded cheddar cheese. Arrange the filled tacos standing upright side by side in the prepared baking dish.
Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and the taco shells become lightly crispy on the edges.
Add Fresh Toppings and Serve: Carefully remove the tacos from the oven. Top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, diced red onions, and chopped cilantro. Add any optional toppings such as sour cream, jalapeños, guacamole, or hot sauce to taste. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
Warming the taco shells beforehand helps prevent cracking when filled.
Feel free to customize toppings to your preference for added freshness and flavor.
For extra crispy tacos, place under the broiler for 1-2 minutes watching closely.
Use gluten-free taco shells to make this recipe gluten-free.