These crispy Baked Tacos are an easy family dinner made with seasoned ground beef, refried beans, green chilies, and melted cheese baked in crispy corn tortillas.
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My family loves anything Mexican-inspired, and we are always looking for something new to add to our dinner rotation. These Baked Tacos are one of those tried-and-true recipes that never fail to satisfy. They are simple to make, packed with flavor, and bring all the cheesy, crispy taco goodness that everyone loves.
If you enjoy these baked tacos, you'll also want to enjoy our Taco Pie, Skillet Mexican Beef and Rice, and Taco Tater Tot Casserole. They take classic taco flavors and turn them into easy, comforting meals everyone will enjoy.
Reader Review: "These crispy baked tacos are new family favorite. My kids loved them! " - Cari
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Easily Customizable: They are easy to make your own! Add your favorite toppings, switch up the cheese, or use a different protein to create a toco everyone will love.
- Perfect for Taco Tuesday Fun: A fun twist to a classic taco night!
- Easy to Prep Ahead: You can assemble the tacos a few hours before baking, store them covered in the fridge, and bake them just before serving.
- Simple Weeknight Dinner: With just a few basic ingredients and minimal prep time, these baked tacos are an easy dinner solution for busy nights.
What are Baked Tacos
Baked Tacos are a fun twist on traditional tacos where corn tortillas are filled with seasoned meat, refried beans, cheese, and your favorite toppings, then baked in the oven until crispy and golden. Unlike soft tacos, baking creates a crunchy shell while allowing the cheese to melt and the flavors to come together.
Ingredients
- Corn Tortilla Shells: Corn tortillas become perfectly crispy around the edges while staying slightly tender in the middle.
- Ground Beef: I used 90/10 lean ground beef to reduce the grease while still keeping the filling flavorful and satisfying!
- Taco Seasoning: I used our very own taco seasoning for this.
- Green Chilis: Mild diced chilies add just the right amount of flavor without too much spice.
- Shredded Cheese: I used a blend of Cheddar and Monterey Jack.
- Re-fried Beans: A thin layer will hold everything together while adding some extra flavor.
- Toppings: We love to use traditional taco toppings like cilantro, lime, guacamole and sour cream.
Tim's Tip: Freshly shred your cheese instead of using pre-shredded cheese for a smoother melt and better taste.
How to Make Baked Tacos
1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
2. Cook the Taco Meat: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Brown the ground beef until no longer pink, then drain any excess grease. Stir in the taco seasoning and diced green chilies, and cook for another 2-3 minutes until everything is well combined.
3. Warm the Tortillas: Stack the corn tortillas and microwave them for about 30 seconds. This makes them soft and pliable, so they won't crack when folded.
4. Assemble the Tacos: Arrange the warmed tortillas on the prepared baking sheet. Spread a thin layer of refried beans on one half of each tortilla, then top with seasoned beef and shredded cheese. Fold the tortillas over and gently press them closed.
5. Bake and Serve: Bake for 15 minutes, or until the tortillas are crispy and the cheese is melted. Serve immediately with your favorite toppings like sour cream, guacamole, fresh cilantro, diced tomatoes, salsa, or a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
Substitutions and Variations
- Swap the Meat: Ground chicken or ground turkey are great alternatives for this recipe. Both options create a lighter taco while still giving you plenty of delicious flavor.
- Make it Vegetarian: You can easily skip the meat and make these crispy baked tacos with refried beans as the main filling. Add in extras like corn, bell peppers, or your favorite plant-based protein to keep it hearty and filling
- Add Some Heat: If you like a little spice, add diced jalapeño, hot green chilies, pepper jack cheese, or a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce to the taco filling.
- Add Your Favorite Toppings: Try adding sour cream, guacamole, fresh cilantro, salsa, shredded lettuce, or a squeeze of fresh lime before serving.
Expert Tips
- Don't Overfill the Tacos: It can be tempting to load up tacos with extra filling, but too much meat, beans, and cheese can make them difficult to fold and prevent tortillas from crisping properly.
- Warm the Tortillas First: Warming the corn tortillas for about 30 seconds in the microwave makes them soft and pliable, which helps prevent cracking when folding!
- For Extra Crispiness: If you love extra crispy tacos, bake them a few additional minutes until the edges are golden brown and crunchy. Keep an eye on them so the tortillas don't become too hard.
- Use Freshly Shredded Cheese: Freshly shredded cheese melts better than pre-shredded cheese and creates a smoother, creamier filling.
- Drain the Ground Beef Well: After browning the ground beef, be sure to drain any excess grease before adding the taco seasoning. This keeps the tacos from becoming soggy while baking.
What to Serve with Oven Baked Tacos
These tacos are delicious on their own, but we love serving them with fresh toppings and flavorful sides.
Storage
Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freeze: Freeze individually wrapped tacos in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months.
Reheating: Reheat in the oven or air fryer at 375°F until heated through and crispy.
FAQs
Guacamole, salsa, and sour cream are all great choices! Really, anything you want!
Yes, you can use flour tortillas if you prefer. Keep in mind that flour tortillas will have a softer texture and may not get quite as crispy as corn.
Absolutely! You can assemble the tacos a few hours before baking! Cover and store them in the refrigerator until you are ready to bake. Add a few minutes to the baking time if they are going straight from the fridge to the oven.
More Delicious Taco recipes
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Recipe
Baked Tacos
Ingredients
- 8 Corn Tortilla Shells
- 1 lb Ground Beef
- 3 tablespoon Taco Seasoning
- 4 oz Mild Green Chilis
- 2 cups Cheese Grated
- ¾ cup Refried Beans
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Cook the Taco Meat: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Brown the ground beef until no longer pink, then drain any excess grease. Stir in the taco seasoning and diced green chilies, and cook for another 2-3 minutes until everything is well combined. 1 lb Ground Beef 3 tbsp Taco Seasoning 4 oz Mild Green Chilis
- Warm the Tortillas: Stack the corn tortillas and microwave them for about 30 seconds. This makes them soft and pliable, so they won't crack when folded. 8 Corn Tortilla Shells
- Assemble the Tacos: Arrange the warmed tortillas on the prepared baking sheet. Spread a thin layer of refried beans on one half of each tortilla, then top with seasoned beef and shredded cheese. Fold the tortillas over and gently press them closed. ¾ cup Refried Beans 2 cups Cheese
- Bake and Serve: Bake for 15 minutes, or until the tortillas are crispy and the cheese is melted. Serve immediately with your favorite toppings like sour cream, guacamole, fresh cilantro, diced tomatoes, salsa, or a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
Notes
- Don't Overfill the Tacos: It can be tempting to load up tacos with extra filling, but too much meat, beans, and cheese can make them difficult to fold and prevent tortillas from crisping properly.
- Warm the Tortillas First: Warming the corn tortillas for about 30 seconds in the microwave makes them soft and pliable, which helps prevent cracking when folding!
- For Extra Crispiness: If you love extra crispy tacos, bake them a few additional minutes until the edges are golden brown and crunchy. Keep an eye on them so the tortillas don't become too hard.
- Use Freshly Shredded Cheese: Freshly shredded cheese melts better than pre-shredded cheese and creates a smoother, creamier filling.
- Drain the Ground Beef Well: After browning the ground beef, be sure to drain any excess grease before adding the taco seasoning. This keeps the tacos from becoming soggy while baking.
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