Oven-Baked Cheesy Tacos (Crispy & Loaded) Recipe
These Oven-Baked Cheesy Tacos are a deliciously crispy and loaded meal that’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. Ground beef cooked with taco seasoning and tomato sauce is stuffed into warm taco shells, topped with melted cheddar cheese, and finished with fresh lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and cilantro. Optional toppings like sour cream and guacamole add extra flavor and creaminess.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 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
Optional Toppings
- Sour cream
- Jalapeños
- Guacamole
- Hot sauce
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a baking dish or line it with foil to prevent sticking.
- Cook Meat Mixture: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant. Add the ground beef, breaking it up as it cooks. Stir in taco seasoning, tomato sauce, salt, and pepper, then simmer for 5 minutes to blend flavors.
- Assemble Tacos: Fill each warmed taco shell with the cooked meat mixture. Sprinkle generously with shredded cheese and place the tacos standing side by side in the prepared baking dish.
- Bake Tacos: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes, until the cheese has melted and the tacos are lightly crispy on the edges.
- Add Fresh Toppings: Remove the tacos from the oven and top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, diced red onion, and chopped cilantro. Add optional toppings such as sour cream, guacamole, jalapeños, or hot sauce if desired.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for ground beef for a leaner option.
- To make homemade taco seasoning, combine chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Warm taco shells slightly before assembling to make them more pliable and prevent cracking.
- Feel free to customize toppings according to preference or dietary needs.
- Leftover tacos can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat in the oven for best texture.
Keywords: cheesy tacos, oven baked tacos, crispy tacos, taco recipe, easy tacos, ground beef tacos, Mexican tacos