Cheesy Oven Baked Tacos
These cheesy oven baked tacos combine seasoned ground beef, two kinds of cheese, and crispy taco shells, all baked together for a hands-off, mess-free taco night the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 12 hard taco shells
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 cup water or beef broth
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded smoked gouda cheese
- 1 medium onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup tomato sauce or salsa
Optional Toppings
- Shredded lettuce
- Diced tomatoes
- Sour cream
- Salsa
- Diced onions
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the hard taco shells upright in a baking dish so they are standing and supported.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, breaking up the beef as it cooks, until fully browned and the onions are soft. Drain any excess grease.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Sprinkle in the taco seasoning and stir to coat the meat evenly.
- Pour in the water or beef broth and add the tomato sauce or salsa. Stir well and let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes, until slightly thickened and flavorful.
- Spoon the beef mixture evenly into each taco shell. Fill generously, but do not overstuff.
- In a bowl, combine the shredded cheddar and smoked gouda cheeses. Sprinkle the cheese mixture generously over the filled taco shells.
- Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and the taco shells are lightly golden and crisp.
- Remove the tacos from the oven and let them cool for 2 minutes. Add your favorite toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, salsa, or onions. Serve warm.
Video
Recipe Tips
Stand the taco shells tightly next to each other in the baking dish so they don’t tip over while baking. This keeps the filling in place and helps the cheese melt evenly inside each taco.
