Baked Tacos

How to Make Delicious Baked Tacos

This baked tacos recipe is a quick and delicious twist on traditional tacos. Lean ground beef is browned with onions and garlic, then seasoned with taco seasoning, water or beer, and hot sauce. The mixture is spooned into crispy taco shells, topped with shredded Mexican blend cheese, and baked until the cheese melts. Serve these easy and flavorful tacos with your favorite toppings for a satisfying meal that’s perfect for any occasion.

Essential Ingredients

To make delicious baked tacos, you’ll need 1 ¼ pounds of lean ground beef, a small diced onion, and three cloves of minced garlic. Season the beef with a packet of taco seasoning, ¼ cup of water or beer, and two teaspoons of hot sauce. Use 12 hard taco shells and a cup of shredded Mexican blend cheese to complete the dish. These ingredients come together to create a flavorful and satisfying meal.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Baked Tacos

To prepare this recipe, start by browning 1 ¼ pounds of lean ground beef in a skillet with vegetable oil, ensuring it crumbles as it cooks. Drain excess fat, then add diced onion and minced garlic, cooking until fragrant. Stir in taco seasoning, water or beer, and hot sauce, letting flavors meld. Preheat oven to 375°F and arrange 12 hard taco shells in a baking dish, baking until crispy. Fill shells with beef mixture, sprinkle with shredded Mexican blend cheese, and bake until cheese melts, about 4-5 minutes. Serve hot with your favorite toppings for a delicious meal.

Why You’ll Love This Baked Tacos Recipe

You’ll love this baked tacos recipe for its easy preparation and delicious, satisfying flavors. It offers a crispy shell filled with seasoned ground beef, onions, garlic, and a hint of hot sauce, all topped with melted Mexican blend cheese. Baking ensures the tacos come out perfectly crispy and gooey with cheese, making them a hit for any meal. Enjoy a quick and customizable dish that’s sure to please everyone at the table.

Secrets to Perfect Baked Tacos

Preheat taco shells to maintain crispiness, mix taco seasoning thoroughly with beef for flavor absorption, layer cheese before adding beef for a melty texture, distribute filling evenly for consistent taste, and bake until cheese is melted and bubbly. These tips ensure delicious, cheesy baked tacos every time.

Expert tips

Use lean ground beef and vegetable oil for browning. Dice onions finely and mince garlic for even flavor. Adjust taco seasoning and hot sauce to taste, considering low-sodium options. Bake until cheese melts completely for ideal texture. Serve with fresh toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, or guacamole for added freshness. These tips ensure delicious baked tacos every time!

serving tips

When serving baked tacos, offer a variety of fresh toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, avocado or guacamole, sour cream, and salsa for added flavor and texture. Pair them with sides such as Spanish rice or refried beans to complete the meal. Arrange tacos family-style for a fun dining experience, allowing everyone to customize their tacos. They’re perfect for parties, with options to suit different tastes. Store toppings separately if preparing ahead and briefly reheat leftover tacos in the oven to maintain their crispiness. These tips ensure delicious and customizable baked tacos for any occasion.

Storing Tips

To store baked tacos, separate toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, or salsa. Refrigerate assembled tacos in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days or freeze individually wrapped in foil or plastic for 2-3 months. Reheat refrigerated tacos in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes or thaw frozen tacos overnight before reheating. Avoid microwaving to maintain crispiness.

Equipment Needed for Baked Tacos

Large Skillet: For browning ground beef and cooking onions and garlic.

Baking Dish (9 x 13 inches): To bake taco shells and assemble tacos.

Oven: For preheating, baking taco shells, and melting cheese.

Measuring Spoons and Cups: For accurate ingredient measurement.

Kitchen Utensils: Such as spatula, spoon, and tongs for cooking and assembling.

Cheese Grater: If shredding cheese yourself.

Cutting Board and Knife: For chopping onions and garlic.

Optional: Nonstick Spray or Oil: To grease the baking dish.

Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef for baked tacos?

Yes, you can substitute ground turkey for ground beef in this recipe. Adjust cooking times as needed to ensure thorough cooking.

Can I make baked tacos ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the beef mixture and assemble the tacos ahead of time. Store them in the refrigerator and bake just before serving for best results.

How do I reheat leftover baked tacos?

Reheat refrigerated tacos in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-12 minutes, or until heated through. Avoid using the microwave to maintain taco crispiness.

Can I use soft tortillas instead of hard taco shells for baked tacos?

Yes, you can use soft tortillas if preferred. Adjust baking times accordingly to ensure the tortillas are heated through and the cheese is melted.

Bon Appétit! Enjoy your delicious baked tacos If you have any other questions or need more recipes, feel free to ask

Baked Tacos

Course: MainCuisine: Mexican

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

20

minutes

Calories

300

kcal

Total time

35

minutes

This baked tacos recipe features seasoned lean ground beef cooked with onions, garlic, and spices, then baked in crispy taco shells with melted Mexican blend cheese on top. It’s a delicious and easy-to-make dish perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner or a fun gathering with friends and family.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

• 1 ¼ pounds lean ground beef

• 1 small onion, diced

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 (1.25-ounce) package taco seasoning

• ¼ cup water or beer

• 2 teaspoons hot sauce (such as Cholula)

• 12 hard taco shells

• 1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese

Directions

• Heat vegetable oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, about 3-5 minutes, making sure to crumble the beef as it cooks. Drain excess fat.
• Add onion and cook, stirring frequently, until translucent, about 2-3 minutes.
• Stir in garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Stir in taco seasoning, water or beer, and hot sauce until flavors have blended, about 2-3 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly oil a 9 x 13 baking dish or coat with nonstick spray.
• Place taco shells in a single layer, standing up, into the prepared baking dish. Place into oven and bake until crispy, about 3-4 minutes.
• Working carefully, add 1/4 cup ground beef mixture to each taco shell; sprinkle with cheese.
• Place into oven and bake until cheese has melted, about 4-5 minutes.
• Serve immediately with desired toppings.

Recipe Video

Notes

• Feel free to customize these baked tacos by adding your favorite toppings such as lettuce, tomatoes, salsa, avocado, or sour cream. You can also adjust the level of heat by using more or less hot sauce according to your preference. Experiment with different cheese blends or types of ground meat for a unique twist on this classic dish. Enjoy the versatility and deliciousness of these baked tacos!