why make this recipe
Baked tacos are a fun and tasty twist on traditional tacos. The combination of crispy taco shells and savory ground beef makes for a delightful meal that everyone will love. They are easy to prepare and perfect for family dinners or gatherings. Plus, you can customize them with your favorite toppings, making them a hit among kids and adults alike!
how to make Baked Tacos
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Ingredients: 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 1/4 pounds lean ground beef
1 small onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 1.25 ounce package taco seasoning
1/4 cup water or beer
2 teaspoons hot sauce, such as Cholula
12 hard taco shells
1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
Pico de gallo for serving
Avocado for serving
Sour cream for serving
Cilantro for serving
Shredded lettuce for serving
Lime wedges for serving
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 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. Bake until crispy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add 1/4 cup of ground beef mixture to each taco shell; sprinkle with cheese.
- Return to oven and bake until cheese has melted, about 4-5 minutes.
- Serve immediately with desired toppings.
how to serve Baked Tacos
Serve baked tacos hot right out of the oven. Allow everyone to top their tacos with their favorite ingredients like pico de gallo, avocado, sour cream, cilantro, shredded lettuce, and lime wedges for a burst of flavor!
how to store Baked Tacos
If you have leftovers, you can store the baked tacos in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them in the oven until warmed through, making sure the taco shells stay crispy.
tips to make Baked Tacos
- For extra flavor, try adding black beans or corn to the ground beef mixture.
- You can use ground turkey or chicken as a leaner option.
- Feel free to switch up the cheese with your favorites like Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack for a kick.
variation
- You can make these tacos vegetarian by substituting the ground beef with lentils or crumbled tofu.
FAQs
Can I prepare Baked Tacos in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the filling and taco shells ahead of time. Just assemble and bake when you’re ready to serve.
Can I freeze Baked Tacos?
While it’s best to eat them fresh, you can freeze the cooked filling separately and use it later. When you’re ready to enjoy, just reheat the filling and assemble in fresh taco shells.
What toppings go well with Baked Tacos?
You can use a variety of toppings like guacamole, jalapeños, diced tomatoes, or shredded cheese to enhance the flavor.
Baked Tacos
Ingredients
For the beef mixture
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1.25 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
For assembly
- 12 hard taco shells
- 1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
For serving
- Pico de gallo For serving
- Avocado For serving
- Sour cream For serving
- Cilantro For serving
- Shredded lettuce For serving
- Lime wedges For serving
Instructions
Preparation
- Heat vegetable oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned, about 3-5 minutes, crumbling the beef as it cooks; drain excess fat.
- Add onion, and cook 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.
Baking
- 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. Bake until crispy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add 1/4 cup of ground beef mixture to each taco shell; sprinkle with cheese.
- Return to oven and bake until cheese has melted, about 4-5 minutes.
Serving
- Serve immediately with desired toppings.