Description
These oven-baked tacos feature crispy shells, cheesy filling, and a quick, easy method for a crowd-pleasing dinner in just 30 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights and customizable for any taste.
Ingredients
Scale
- 10 hard taco shells (yellow corn, stand-and-stuff preferred)
- 1 lb ground beef (85% lean, or ground turkey/chicken/black beans for vegetarian)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp taco seasoning (store-bought or homemade: chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt)
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce (not salsa)
- 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or blend)
- 1/2 cup refried beans (optional)
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- Topping ideas: shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, sour cream, avocado, jalapeños, cilantro, salsa, hot sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Stand taco shells upright in a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high. Add ground beef and onion; cook until beef is mostly browned. Add garlic, taco seasoning, salt, and pepper; stir until fragrant (about 1 minute). Add tomato sauce and simmer 2-3 minutes until thick.
- If using refried beans, spread a thin layer inside each shell. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of meat filling into each shell. Top generously with shredded cheese.
- Bake, uncovered, for 10-12 minutes until cheese is melted and shells are golden. For extra crunch, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end, watching closely.
- Let tacos cool for 1 minute. Add desired toppings and serve immediately.
Notes
Don’t overfill shells to avoid sogginess. Pre-crisp shells by baking empty for 5 minutes if needed. Cheese acts as glue—sprinkle some at the bottom before filling. Use a snug baking dish to keep shells upright. For vegetarian, swap meat for black beans and veggies. For gluten-free, use certified gluten-free taco shells. Leftover filling is great for breakfast tacos.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 taco
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 11
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 17
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 11
Keywords: oven-baked tacos, crispy tacos, easy taco recipe, weeknight dinner, Tex-Mex, ground beef tacos, baked tacos, family dinner, party food