Oven-Baked Cheesy Tacos
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (or turkey/chicken for a lighter version)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 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 shredded lettuce
- ½ cup diced tomatoes
- ½ cup red onion, diced
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Optional toppings: Sour cream, jalapeños, guacamole, hot sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the OvenSet your oven to 375°F (190°C). A properly preheated oven ensures your tacos get crispy without burning or turning soggy.
- Prepare the FillingIn a medium skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and garlic, cooking until fragrant (about 2 minutes).Add your ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spatula.Stir in taco seasoning, tomato sauce, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Let it simmer for 5 minutes, allowing all the flavors to marry.
- Assemble the TacosLine up your taco shells in a greased baking dish (a 9×13-inch dish works perfectly).Spoon the meat mixture into each shell, then top generously with shredded cheese.It’s okay if the cheese spills over a bit — that’s how you get those crispy, golden edges.
- Bake to PerfectionBake for 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbling, and the shells are lightly golden.The smell alone might have your neighbors knocking.
- Add Fresh ToppingsOnce baked, top each taco with lettuce, diced tomatoes, red onion, and cilantro.If you’re feeling bold, drizzle with hot sauce or add a dollop of sour cream. The contrast of hot, cheesy filling with cool, crunchy toppings is pure bliss.