Description
This Oven Baked Cheesy Tacos recipe combines savory seasoned ground beef with melted Mexican cheese and fresh toppings, all baked to crispy perfection. Ready in just 25 minutes, these tacos offer a delightful mix of textures and flavors, making them an easy and crowd-pleasing meal for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Seasoning
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning (about 1 ounce)
- 1/2 cup water
Taco Shells and Cheese
- 8 small corn tortillas
- 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend, divided (1 1/2 cups for inside tacos, 1/2 cup for topping)
Toppings
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the assembled tacos.
- Cook Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook 1 pound of ground beef until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess grease thoroughly for a leaner filling.
- Season Beef: Add the taco seasoning packet and 1/2 cup of water to the cooked beef. Stir well and let it simmer for 5 minutes until the mixture thickens and flavors meld.
- Warm Tortillas: Briefly warm the 8 small corn tortillas for about 30 seconds until they become flexible and easy to shape.
- Assemble Tacos: Evenly divide the seasoned beef among the warmed tortillas. Add 1 1/2 cups of shredded Mexican cheese inside each taco for a gooey, cheesy filling.
- Arrange for Baking: Place the filled tortillas upright in a baking dish to maintain their shape during baking.
- Add Topping Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheese over the top of the tacos evenly.
- Bake Tacos: Bake the tacos in the preheated oven for 12–15 minutes, or until the tortillas are crisp and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Add Fresh Toppings: Remove the tacos from the oven and top each with 1/2 cup diced tomatoes and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro to add freshness and color.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve the cheesy baked tacos hot and enjoy this quick, satisfying meal perfect for casual dinners or gatherings.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey for a leaner alternative.
- Use flour tortillas if corn tortillas are not preferred, but warm them gently to prevent cracking.
- For a spicier kick, add chopped jalapeños or hot sauce to the seasoning mix.
- Leftover tacos can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven to maintain crispiness.
- Adding sour cream or guacamole as additional toppings brings extra richness and flavor.
