These oven-baked beef tacos are a fun and easy way to enjoy a classic Mexican dish. With seasoned ground beef, fresh toppings, and crispy taco shells, they make for a satisfying meal that the whole family will love.
This recipe is simple to prepare and can be customized with your favorite toppings like cheese, lettuce, and salsa.
Preparation Steps for Baked Tacos
Creating baked tacos is a straightforward process that can be completed in about 30 minutes.
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your tacos will bake evenly and achieve that perfect golden-brown color.
Next, cook the ground beef along with finely chopped onions and minced garlic in a skillet over medium heat.
Once the beef is browned and the onions are translucent, drain any excess fat to keep the filling light and flavorful.
Stir in the taco seasoning, following the package instructions, which typically involves adding a bit of water and letting it simmer for a few minutes.
This step is essential for infusing the beef with that classic taco flavor.
Assembling the Tacos
With your beef mixture ready, it’s time to assemble the tacos.
Place the taco shells in a baking dish and fill each one generously with the seasoned beef.
Top the filled shells with a generous amount of shredded cheddar cheese, which will melt beautifully in the oven.
Make sure to arrange the tacos neatly to ensure even cooking and a lovely presentation.
Baking to Perfection
Once assembled, pop the baking dish into the preheated oven.
Bake the tacos for about 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the taco shells are crispy.
The aroma wafting through your kitchen will be irresistible, signaling that your meal is almost ready!
Garnishing and Serving
After removing the tacos from the oven, it’s time to add the finishing touches.
Top each taco with fresh shredded lettuce and diced tomatoes for a burst of color and crunch.
A dollop of sour cream adds creaminess, while a sprinkle of chopped cilantro can enhance the flavor profile.
Serve the tacos with a small bowl of salsa on the side for those who enjoy an extra kick.
Nutrition Information
These baked tacos are not only delicious but also provide a satisfying meal option.
Each serving contains approximately 350 calories, with 20 grams of fat and 18 grams of protein.
With 30 grams of carbohydrates, they offer a balanced meal that can be enjoyed by the whole family.
Customizing Your Tacos
One of the great aspects of baked tacos is their versatility.
You can easily customize them with your favorite toppings or ingredients.
Consider adding black beans, corn, or jalapeños to the beef mixture for an extra layer of flavor.
Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese or even try using ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
Easy Oven-Baked Tacos Recipe
These baked tacos feature seasoned ground beef stuffed into crunchy taco shells, topped with cheese, and baked until golden. The recipe takes about 30 minutes from start to finish and serves 4 people.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 12 taco shells
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro (optional)
- Salsa for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook the Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped onion until translucent. Add the minced garlic and ground beef, cooking until the beef is browned. Drain excess fat.
- Season the Meat: Stir in the taco seasoning and follow package instructions, usually adding a bit of water and simmering for a few minutes.
- Assemble Tacos: Place the taco shells in a baking dish. Fill each shell with the seasoned beef and top with shredded cheese.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for about 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the taco shells are crispy.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, and cilantro. Serve with salsa on the side.
Cook and Prep Times
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 4 tacos
- Calories: 350kcal
- Fat: 20g
- Protein: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 30g