Description
Oven Baked Cheesy Tacos are a quick and delicious way to enjoy classic tacos with a crispy cheesy twist. Ground beef seasoned with taco spices is nestled inside warm corn tortillas, loaded with melted Mexican cheese blend, and baked until perfectly crisp. Topped with fresh diced tomatoes and cilantro, these tacos make a perfect weeknight dinner that serves 8.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1/2 cup water
- 8 small corn tortillas
- 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend (divided)
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking the tacos crispy and melty.
- Cook Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook 1 pound of ground beef until browned evenly. Drain any excess grease from the pan to keep the tacos from being oily.
- Season Beef: Add a packet of taco seasoning and 1/2 cup water to the browned beef. Simmer this mixture for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and flavors meld beautifully.
- Warm Tortillas: Warm the 8 small corn tortillas for about 30 seconds until they are flexible and easy to fold without cracking.
- Assemble Tacos: Evenly divide the seasoned beef among the warmed tortillas, distributing the filling so each taco is generously stuffed.
- Add Cheese Inside: Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups of the shredded Mexican cheese blend inside each taco over the beef for that gooey, cheesy texture inside.
- Arrange for Baking: Arrange the tacos upright on a baking dish so the filling stays inside and they bake evenly.
- Top with Cheese: Evenly sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheese over the tops of the tacos to create a crispy melted cheese crust when baked.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 12–15 minutes until the tacos are crispy and the cheese topping is fully melted and slightly golden.
- Add Fresh Toppings: Remove from oven and top each taco with 1/2 cup diced tomatoes and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro before serving for a fresh, vibrant finish.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey for a leaner protein option.
- Use flour tortillas if preferred, but warm them well to keep pliable.
- Try adding jalapeños or hot sauce for a spicy kick.
- Leftover tacos can be stored in the refrigerator and reheated in the oven to keep crispiness.
- To make it gluten-free, ensure the taco seasoning packet is gluten-free.
