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Oven-Baked Cheesy Tacos

These crispy oven-baked tacos are loaded with a flavorful beef mixture and topped with gooey cheese and fresh veggies, perfect for a fun weeknight dinner or party.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 300
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Taco Filling
  • 1 lb 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
For Assembly
  • 8 hard taco shells
  • 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend)
  • 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)

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange taco shells upright in a baking dish so they do not tip over.
  2. In a skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef and diced onion. Cook until browned and the onion is soft. Drain any excess fat if needed.
  3. Add minced garlic and taco seasoning to the skillet. Stir for about 1 minute to awaken the spices.
  4. Pour in tomato sauce or salsa and let the mix simmer for 5 minutes. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed.
Assembly
  1. Spoon the seasoned beef mix into each taco shell evenly.
  2. Top each shell with a generous sprinkle of shredded cheese.
Baking
  1. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven. Bake for 10–15 minutes until the cheese melts and the shells are golden.
Toppings
  1. Remove the tacos from the oven and let them cool for a minute.
  2. Add shredded lettuce, diced tomato, red onion, and cilantro on top of the melted cheese. Serve warm with optional sour cream, guacamole, jalapeño slices, and hot sauce on the side.

Notes

This recipe is easy to scale. Feel free to adjust toppings and spice levels. The oven method ensures the cheese is gooey and the shells are crunchy.