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Oven-Baked Cheesy Tacos (Crispy & Loaded) Recipe

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★★★★★

4.1 from 30 reviews

These Oven-Baked Cheesy Tacos are a delicious, crispy, and loaded meal perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. Ground beef is seasoned and cooked with onions and garlic, then combined with tomato sauce before being spooned into hard taco shells. Topped generously with melted cheese and fresh, vibrant toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, and cilantro, these tacos offer a perfect balance of savory, tangy, and fresh flavors all baked to perfection for a crispy finish.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat Mixture

  • 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

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)

Optional Toppings

  • Sour cream (optional)
  • Guacamole (optional)
  • Jalapeño slices (optional)
  • Hot sauce (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the hard taco shells upright in a baking dish to prepare them for filling and baking.
  2. Cook Beef Mixture: Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the ground beef together with the finely diced onion until the beef is thoroughly browned and the onions have softened. Drain off any excess fat. Then add the minced garlic and taco seasoning to the skillet and cook, stirring, for about 1 minute to release the spices’ aroma. Pour in the tomato sauce or salsa and let the mixture simmer gently for 5 minutes so the flavors meld together.
  3. Assemble Tacos: Spoon the seasoned beef mixture evenly into each of the prepared hard taco shells. Generously sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top of each filled taco shell.
  4. Bake: Place the baking dish with the stuffed tacos into the preheated oven. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the taco shells turn crisp and golden.
  5. Add Fresh Toppings: Carefully remove the tacos from the oven and top them with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, diced red onion, and chopped cilantro if using. Serve the tacos warm with optional sides such as sour cream, guacamole, jalapeño slices, or hot sauce to add extra flavor and creaminess.

Notes

  • Feel free to substitute the ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
  • Use your favorite type of cheese or a Mexican cheese blend for the best flavor.
  • If you prefer softer tacos, try warming soft tortillas instead of using hard shells.
  • To make homemade taco seasoning, combine chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
  • For extra crispiness, briefly broil the tacos after baking, but watch closely to prevent burning.
  • Adjust the spice level by adding jalapeños or hot sauce according to your taste preference.

Keywords: oven-baked tacos, cheesy tacos, crispy tacos, ground beef tacos, Mexican tacos, easy taco recipe, baked tacos

Find it online: https://epicrecipebox.com/oven-baked-cheesy-tacos-crispy-and-loaded-recipe/