Oven-Baked Cheesy Tacos (Print Version)

Crispy shells filled with seasoned beef, melted cheese, and topped with fresh ingredients for an easy Mexican-inspired meal.

# Ingredients:

→ Taco Filling

01 - 450 g ground beef
02 - 1 small onion, finely diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 packet taco seasoning
05 - 160 ml tomato sauce or salsa
06 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Taco Base

07 - 8 hard taco shells
08 - 200 g shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend)

→ Fresh Toppings

09 - 100 g shredded lettuce
10 - 75 g diced tomatoes
11 - 50 g diced red onion
12 - 30 g chopped cilantro (optional)

→ Garnishes

13 - Sour cream (optional)
14 - Guacamole (optional)
15 - Jalapeño slices (optional)
16 - Hot sauce (optional)

# Steps:

01 - Heat oven to 200°C. Arrange taco shells upright in a baking dish to maintain their shape during cooking.
02 - In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef and diced onion until thoroughly browned. Drain excess fat. Add minced garlic and taco seasoning, stirring continuously for 1 minute to release flavors. Pour in tomato sauce and simmer for 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
03 - Distribute seasoned beef mixture evenly among the taco shells. Generously top each filled shell with shredded cheese, ensuring complete coverage for maximum melt.
04 - Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, until cheese is completely melted and shells develop a crisp, golden edge.
05 - Remove from oven and immediately top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, red onion, and cilantro. Serve warm with optional garnishes of sour cream or guacamole.

# Notes:

01 - Feel free to customize toppings based on your preference.
02 - For a spicier kick, add jalapeño slices before baking.
03 - These tacos can be prepared ahead of time and reheated in the oven before serving.