Description
Oven Baked Cheesy Tacos combine seasoned ground beef with melty Mexican cheese inside crispy corn tortillas, topped with fresh tomatoes and cilantro for a quick and delicious weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Seasoning
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1/2 cup water
Tortillas and Cheese
- 8 small corn tortillas
- 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend (divided)
Toppings
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to get ready for baking the tacos.
- Cook the beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned and cooked through. Drain any excess grease to keep the tacos from being too oily.
- Add seasoning: Stir in the taco seasoning packet and 1/2 cup water. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the meat well.
- Warm the tortillas: Heat each of the 8 small corn tortillas for around 30 seconds until they become flexible and easier to fold.
- Fill the tortillas: Evenly divide the cooked beef mixture among the tortillas, placing the meat inside each one.
- Add cheese inside: Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups of the shredded Mexican cheese blend inside each taco to melt from the inside.
- Arrange in baking dish: Stand the filled tacos upright in a baking dish to help them hold their shape while baking.
- Top with cheese: Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheese over the tops of the tacos for a gooey cheesy crust.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes until the tacos are crispy and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Add fresh toppings: Remove the tacos from the oven and top with diced tomatoes and chopped fresh cilantro before serving for a fresh and flavorful finish.
Notes
- Use corn tortillas for authentic flavor and texture, but flour tortillas can be substituted if preferred.
- Drain excess grease from ground beef to prevent soggy tacos.
- You can customize toppings with avocado, sour cream, or jalapeños as desired.
- For spicier tacos, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or use a hot taco seasoning packet.
- Leftover tacos can be stored in the refrigerator and reheated in the oven to maintain crispiness.
