Description
Baked tacos offer a crispy, cheesy spin on a classic dinner favorite everyone loves. With hearty fillings and golden tortillas, this meal feels fun, filling, and perfect for sharing.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Proteins:
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 cup refried beans
Base Components:
- 8 sturdy taco shells
- 2 cups shredded cheese
Garnish and Optional Toppings:
- 1 oz taco seasoning
- sour cream
- salsa
- lettuce
- avocado
Instructions
- Heat your oven to a precise 375°F and grab a sturdy baking sheet to prepare for assembly.
- Sauté 1 pound ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it into small crumbles until no pink remains. Drain away excess fat completely.
- Sprinkle the entire 1-ounce taco seasoning packet over the meat, adding 3 tablespoons of water. Simmer and stir until the mixture thickens and coats the meat evenly.
- Spread 2 tablespoons of refried beans along the bottom of each of the 8 taco shells, creating a smooth base layer.
- Distribute the seasoned beef equally among the shells, filling each about ⅔ full with the spiced meat mixture.
- Generously cover each taco with ¼ cup of the shredded cheese blend, ensuring complete coverage.
- Position the loaded taco shells carefully on the baking sheet, keeping them upright and slightly separated.
- Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake for exactly 12 minutes, watching for the cheese to melt and turn golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let stand for 2 minutes to allow the shells to crisp and cheese to set.
- Serve immediately with optional garnishes like fresh lettuce, salsa, sour cream, and sliced avocado.
Notes
- Check the meat’s internal temperature reaches 160°F to ensure safe cooking.
- Warm taco shells briefly before filling to prevent cracking and enhance crispness.
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess grease and create a cleaner tasting filling.
- Experiment with different cheese blends like pepper jack or a Mexican cheese mix for extra flavor variation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 495 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 31 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg