Description
Oven Baked Cheesy Tacos are a quick and delicious meal featuring seasoned ground beef wrapped in warm corn tortillas, topped with melted Mexican cheese, fresh tomatoes, and cilantro. Perfect for a family-friendly dinner or casual gathering, these tacos combine bold flavors with a crispy, cheesy finish baked to perfection.
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 into 1 1/2 cups and 1/2 cup)
Toppings
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the tacos later in the recipe.
- Cook the ground beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook 1 pound of ground beef until fully browned. Once cooked, drain any excess grease to reduce fat content.
- Season the beef: Add 1 packet of taco seasoning and 1/2 cup water to the skillet with the beef. Simmer the mixture for about 5 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef well.
- Warm the tortillas: Heat the 8 small corn tortillas for about 30 seconds each until they become flexible enough to fold without breaking.
- Assemble tacos: Evenly divide the seasoned beef among the warmed tortillas, placing the filling in the center of each.
- Add cheese inside: Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups of shredded Mexican cheese blend evenly inside each taco over the beef mixture.
- Arrange for baking: Stand the tacos upright in a baking dish to keep them filled and ready for the oven.
- Top with additional cheese: Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheese on top of the tacos to create a melted cheesy crust.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake the tacos for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the tortillas are crisp and the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the tacos from the oven and top with 1/2 cup diced tomatoes and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro for freshness and flavor before serving.
Notes
- For a spicier flavor, add jalapeños or hot sauce to the beef mixture before cooking.
- Use shredded cheese blends like Monterey Jack or Cheddar if a Mexican blend is unavailable.
- To make the tacos crispier, broil for an additional 1-2 minutes at the end of baking, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- These tacos can be made ahead by assembling and refrigerating; bake just before serving.
