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Several oven-baked cheesy tacos arranged neatly on a baking sheet, ready to serve.

Oven-Baked Cheesy Tacos

These oven-baked cheesy tacos are a delicious and easy way to enjoy a family favorite. Ground meat seasoned to perfection, nestled in crispy taco shells, and baked with plenty of melted cheese.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 6 tacos
Calories 350 kcal

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Large baking dish or baking sheet
  • Large skillet

Ingredients
  

Taco Filling

  • 1 lb Ground Meat
  • 1 packet Taco Seasoning
  • 1/2 cup Water

Tacos

  • 12-18 Hard Taco Shells
  • 2 cups Shredded Cheese

Optional Toppings

  • Shredded Lettuce
  • Diced Tomatoes
  • Sour Cream
  • Salsa
  • Avocado
  • Cilantro

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a large baking dish or line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • If using a baking dish, stand the taco shells upright to make assembly easier.

Cook the Filling

  • Brown the ground meat in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it up as it cooks, then drain any excess fat.
  • Stir in the taco seasoning and water, then simmer for 5-7 minutes until the liquid is absorbed and the meat is well-coated.

Assemble and Bake

  • Spoon cooked meat into each taco shell and sprinkle generously with shredded cheese, arranging them upright in your prepared dish or baking sheet.
  • Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the taco shells are crispy.

Serve

  • Carefully remove the tacos from the oven and let them cool for a minute or two before adding your desired toppings and serving immediately.

Notes

For extra flavor, you can add a small amount of diced onion or bell pepper to the ground meat while browning. Be sure to drain any excess fat from the meat before adding the seasoning to prevent soggy tacos. You can customize your tacos with any of your favorite toppings!