Why Make This Recipe

Oven-Baked Cheesy Tacos are not only delicious but also incredibly easy to make. If you’re looking for a fun, family-friendly meal, this recipe is a perfect choice. These tacos are crispy, loaded with savory beef and melted cheese, and can be customized with your favorite toppings. Plus, they don’t require much prep time, making them ideal for a busy weeknight dinner.

How to Make Oven-Baked Cheesy Tacos

Ingredients:

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
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)

Directions:

Preheat Oven: Heat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange taco shells upright in a baking dish.
Cook Beef Mixture: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion until browned. Drain the excess fat. Add minced garlic and taco seasoning; stir for 1 minute. Pour in the tomato sauce and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
Assemble Tacos: Spoon the seasoned beef mixture evenly into each taco shell. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top of each taco generously.
Bake: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the taco shells are crisp and golden.
Add Fresh Toppings: Remove from the oven and top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, diced red onion, and chopped cilantro if desired. Serve warm with sour cream or guacamole.

How to Serve Oven-Baked Cheesy Tacos

Serve these tacos hot, right out of the oven. Place a platter on the table and let everyone customize their tacos with their favorite toppings like sour cream, guacamole, jalapeño slices, and hot sauce. This makes the meal interactive and fun for everyone!

How to Store Oven-Baked Cheesy Tacos

If you have leftover tacos, let them cool completely before storing. Keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They are best consumed within 2-3 days. To reheat, you can place them back in the oven until heated through, or use a microwave if you’re short on time.

Tips to Make Oven-Baked Cheesy Tacos

For extra flavor, try using homemade taco seasoning instead of a store-bought packet.
You can substitute the ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or even a plant-based alternative for a healthier version.
Feel free to add black beans or corn to the beef mixture for added texture and taste.
Make sure not to overfill the taco shells to prevent them from breaking.

Variation

You can easily make a Tex-Mex version by adding black olives or jalapeños into the beef mixture. Another fun twist is to use different types of cheese, such as pepper jack for a spicier kick.

FAQs

Can I make these tacos ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the beef mixture a day in advance and store it in the fridge. When ready to serve, simply assemble the tacos and bake.

Can I freeze the leftovers?
You can freeze the unbaked filled taco shells before baking. Wrap them well in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

What can I use instead of hard taco shells?
You can use soft tortillas or mini tortillas for a different texture. Just adjust the baking time as needed.

Oven-Baked Cheesy Tacos

Print Recipe

Delicious and easy oven-baked tacos filled with savory beef and melted cheese, perfect for a family-friendly meal.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Mexican
Diet: Omnivore

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and arrange taco shells upright in a baking dish.
In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion until browned. Drain the excess fat. Add minced garlic and taco seasoning; stir for 1 minute. Pour in the tomato sauce and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
Spoon the seasoned beef mixture evenly into each taco shell and sprinkle shredded cheese on top.
Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the taco shells are crisp and golden.
Remove from the oven and top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, diced red onion, and chopped cilantro if desired. Serve warm with sour cream or guacamole.

Notes

For extra flavor, try using homemade taco seasoning instead of a store-bought packet. You can also substitute the ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or a plant-based alternative.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 400
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 600mg
Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Unsaturated Fat: 8g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 35g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 25g
Cholesterol: 70mg

Keywords: tacos, baked tacos, cheesy tacos, family-friendly meals, easy recipes