Can I make these Oven Baked Cheesy Tacos ahead of time?

Assemble the beef mixture ahead, but don’t bake the shells until you’re ready. This keeps everything crispy.

Can I use chicken instead of beef?

Absolutely. Shredded chicken or ground chicken works great—just season it well.

Do soft tortillas work for this recipe?

They can, but they won’t get the same crispy finish. Hard shells really shine in this oven-baked style.

How do I store leftovers?

Store the filling separately from the shells. Reheat and assemble when ready to serve.

Can I make these spicier?

Yes! Add jalapeños, hot sauce, chili powder, or even spicy salsa to the beef mix.

Oven Baked Cheesy Tacos: 5 Irresistible Comfort Bites

Description

These Oven Baked Cheesy Tacos are loaded with seasoned beef, melty cheese, and fresh toppings—crispy, comforting, and perfect for busy weeknights. With just a few simple steps, you’ll have a family-favorite dinner that tastes like a taco-night masterpiece without the mess.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb ground beef
1 small onion, finely diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 packet taco seasoning
½ cup tomato sauce or salsa
Salt & pepper, to taste
10–12 hard taco shells
1 ½ cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend)
1 cup shredded lettuce
1 cup diced tomatoes
½ cup diced red onion
Chopped cilantro (optional)
Sour cream (optional)
Guacamole (optional)
Jalapeño slices (optional)
Hot sauce (optional)

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Instructions

Preheat Oven:
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the hard taco shells upright in a baking dish.
Cook the Beef:
In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion until browned and softened. Drain excess fat.
Season the Mixture:
Add garlic, taco seasoning, and stir for 1 minute. Mix in tomato sauce or salsa and simmer for 5 minutes.
Assemble:
Spoon the beef mixture into each taco shell. Top generously with shredded cheese.
Bake:
Bake for 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the shells are golden and crispy.
Add Toppings:
Garnish with lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, sour cream, guacamole, or jalapeños.
Serve Warm:
Enjoy immediately while the tacos are hot and cheesy.

Notes

Add cheese underneath the meat for extra melty goodness.
For spicier tacos, mix diced jalapeños into the beef or drizzle with hot sauce.
To prep ahead, make the beef mixture in advance and assemble right before baking.

Use street-taco–size shells for a mini-taco party platter.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Oven-Baked
Cuisine: American / Tex-Mex

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 taco
Calories: 210 kcal
Sugar: 2 g
Sodium: 390 mg
Fat: 11 g
Saturated Fat: 5 g
Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 14 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 14 g
Cholesterol: 40 mg