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Oven Baked Tacos

Oven Baked Tacos
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Oven Baked Tacos are a quick, crispy, and flavorful meal perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. Featuring a crunchy baked shell filled with seasoned ground meat or plant-based alternatives, melted cheese, and fresh veggies, these tacos deliver bold taste with minimal cleanup and customizable options for all dietary preferences.

Ingredients

Scale

Taco Shells

  • Hard corn taco shells or small flour tortillas (amount as needed)

Filling

  • 1 lb ground meat (beef, turkey, chicken) or plant-based crumbles
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • Salt to taste

Cheese

  • 1 to 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese or Mexican cheese blend

Fresh Toppings

  • Lettuce, shredded
  • Diced tomatoes
  • Diced onions
  • Fresh cilantro leaves

Optional Extras

  • Salsa
  • Sour cream
  • Avocado slices or guacamole
  • Chopped jalapeños

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Filling: Start by browning your choice of ground meat or plant-based alternative in a skillet over medium heat. Add the seasoning mix—chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, and salt—stirring well until the meat is cooked through and fragrant.
  2. Assemble Tacos: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Arrange taco shells standing up on a baking sheet (use foil strips to help them stand upright). Spoon the cooked filling evenly into each shell, leaving some space to prevent sogginess. Top with a generous sprinkle of shredded cheese.
  3. Bake: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for about 10 minutes or until the cheese has melted and the tacos are crispy but not burnt.
  4. Add Fresh Toppings: Remove from the oven and immediately pile on fresh lettuce, diced tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and any other desired fixings like salsa, sour cream, avocado slices, or jalapeños for that perfect balance of hot and fresh.

Notes

  • Warm the shells briefly before filling to prevent cracking during assembly.
  • Don’t overfill the tacos to maintain their stability and crispiness.
  • Use foil strips underneath shells on the baking sheet to keep them upright while baking.
  • For extra crunch, try double layering by baking a second layer of shells filled only with cheese on top.
  • Adjust chili powder and peppers to customize spice levels.
  • To avoid sogginess, add fresh toppings after baking and avoid overly moist fillings.

Nutrition

Keywords: oven baked tacos, crispy tacos, quick taco recipe, family-friendly tacos, baked taco shells, easy tacos, healthy tacos, gluten free tacos

Find it online: https://eazyum.com/oven-baked-tacos/