Name: Oven-Baked Cheesy Tacos Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 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; 10 small taco shells (flour or corn, slightly warmed); 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or Mexican blend); 1 cup lettuce, shredded; ½ cup diced tomatoes; ½ cup red onion, diced; ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Introduction

Oven-Baked Cheesy Tacos are a delicious twist on traditional tacos, featuring melted cheese and savory beef baked together for a warm, satisfying meal. Perfect for a family dinner or casual gathering, these tacos are easy to prepare and full of flavor.

A row of golden yellow tacos with slightly crispy edges is filled with a layer of seasoned brown ground meat at the bottom, topped with melted white cheese that looks soft and gooey. On top of the cheese, there is a fresh layer of finely chopped green lettuce mixed with small diced red tomatoes and bits of purple onion, adding color and texture. The tacos are placed closely together on a white tray, seen from a side angle, with a white marbled surface in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

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
10 small taco shells (flour or corn, slightly warmed)
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or Mexican blend)
1 cup lettuce, shredded
½ cup diced tomatoes
½ cup red onion, diced
¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Step 2: Add diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté until softened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
Step 3: Add ground beef to the skillet, cooking until browned and fully cooked, breaking it up as it cooks.
Step 4: Stir in taco seasoning, tomato sauce or salsa, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes to combine flavors and thicken the mixture.
Step 5: Arrange the warmed taco shells on a baking sheet. Fill each shell with the beef mixture.
Step 6: Sprinkle shredded cheese generously over each filled taco.
Step 7: Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Step 8: Remove from oven and top each taco with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, red onion, and fresh cilantro.
Step 9: Serve immediately and enjoy your warm, cheesy tacos!

Tips & Variations

For a lighter option, use ground turkey or chicken in place of ground beef.
Try adding black beans or corn to the filling for extra texture and flavor.
Use pepper jack cheese for a spicy twist.
Serve with sour cream or guacamole on the side for added creaminess.

Storage

Store leftover tacos in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them in a baking dish and warm in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave briefly until heated through. Add fresh toppings after reheating for best results.

How to Serve

The image shows a row of seven golden yellow tacos lined up closely on a white dish, placed on a white marble surface. Each taco shell is crispy and slightly browned, filled generously with rich brown ground meat at the bottom layer, topped with melted pale yellow cheese. On top of the cheese, there is a fresh layer of finely chopped green lettuce and small red tomato pieces scattered evenly. Tiny bits of purple onion and green cilantro leaves add more color and texture to the filling. The tacos are slightly open, showing the layers inside clearly. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare the taco filling in advance?

Yes, the beef mixture can be made a day ahead and refrigerated. Just reheat it before assembling and baking the tacos.

Can I freeze these baked tacos?

While it’s best to freeze the filling separately, you can freeze assembled tacos wrapped tightly in foil. Bake them from frozen at 375°F (190°C) for about 20-25 minutes, or until heated through and the cheese is melted.

Oven-Baked Cheesy Tacos Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 103 reviews

Delicious Oven-Baked Cheesy Tacos featuring seasoned ground beef baked with melted cheddar cheese in crisp taco shells, topped with fresh lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and cilantro for a flavorful and satisfying meal that’s easy to prepare.

Author: Nora
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 10 tacos 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Mexican

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

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
10 small taco shells (flour or corn, slightly warmed)
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or Mexican blend)
1 cup lettuce, shredded
½ cup diced tomatoes
½ cup red onion, diced
¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Instructions

Prepare the meat filling: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add the diced onion and minced garlic and sauté until softened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
Cook the ground meat: Add the ground beef to the skillet. Break it up with a spatula and cook until browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
Season the meat: Stir in the taco seasoning and tomato sauce or salsa. Mix well to combine all flavors. Simmer for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Assemble the tacos: Arrange the warmed taco shells on a baking sheet. Fill each shell evenly with the seasoned meat mixture. Top each taco with shredded cheddar cheese.
Bake the tacos: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
Add fresh toppings: Remove the tacos from the oven and garnish with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, red onions, and chopped fresh cilantro.
Serve and enjoy: Serve the oven-baked cheesy tacos immediately with your favorite sides or salsa for dipping.

Notes

You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
Use corn taco shells for a gluten-free option if desired.
Adjust the amount of cheese according to your preference for a creamier or lighter filling.
For extra heat, add jalapeños or hot sauce to the meat mixture or as a topping.
Leftover taco filling can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated before assembling.

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