Can I assemble these ahead of time?

You can prepare the filling ahead and even stuff the shells with meat and cheese, but for the best shell texture, bake them just before serving. If you bake and leave them to sit, the shells can get soggy.

What if I don’t have Rotel tomatoes?

No worries! Use a can of diced tomatoes and add a diced green chili or jalapeno for similar flavor. It won’t be quite as zesty, but it’s still delicious.

Can I make these tacos gluten-free?

Absolutely! Choose certified gluten-free hard taco shells and check your taco seasoning to make sure it’s gluten-free.

How do I keep the taco shells from falling over?

Nestle them tightly in the baking dish so they support each other, or use a crumpled piece of foil between them for stability if needed.

Oven Baked Tacos Recipe

Name: Oven Baked Tacos Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Mexican-American
Ingredients: 11-12 Hard taco shells; 1 ½ lbs. Ground beef; 1 can Rotel tomatoes, undrained; ½ medium onion, chopped; 1 packet taco seasoning; 2 cups taco blend cheese, divided; Toppings of choice (e.g., chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, sliced jalapeños, salsa, guacamole)

Description

These Oven Baked Tacos are a delicious and easy main-course perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. Hard taco shells are filled with seasoned ground beef, Rotel tomatoes, onions, and a blend of cheese, then baked for extra crunch. Ready in just 35 minutes, simply add your favorite toppings for a crowd-pleasing meal everyone will love.

Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Tacos

11–12 Hard taco shells
1 1/2 lbs. Ground beef
1 can Rotel tomatoes, undrained
1/2 medium onion, chopped
1 packet taco seasoning
2 cups taco blend cheese, divided

Toppings (Optional)

Toppings of choice (e.g., chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, sliced jalapeños, salsa, guacamole)

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Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F (200°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking once your tacos are assembled.
Cook Meat and Onions: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, sauté the ground beef and chopped onion until the beef is fully cooked and the onions have softened. Drain excess grease if necessary.
Season and Simmer: Add the taco seasoning and the undrained Rotel tomatoes. Stir well and cook over medium heat for a few minutes, allowing the mixture to simmer until most of the liquid is absorbed.
Prepare Taco Shells: Arrange the hard taco shells standing upright in a 9×13-inch baking dish. This helps keep them stable and ready for filling.
Layer Cheese in Shells: Sprinkle a layer of taco blend cheese into the bottom of each taco shell. This forms a delicious melty base that prevents the shell from getting soggy.
Add Taco Meat: Spoon the prepared beef and Rotel mixture on top of the cheese in each taco shell, distributing evenly among all the shells.
Top with More Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining taco blend cheese over the top of the taco meat in each shell, ensuring an even cheesy layer.
Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the taco shells are crispy.
Garnish and Serve: Remove the tacos from the oven, add your favorite toppings, and serve hot.

Notes

Customize your toppings with fresh veggies, hot sauce, or extra cheese for added flavor.
For a leaner option, substitute ground turkey or chicken for ground beef.
If taco shells start to tip over, use crumpled foil to help keep them upright in the baking dish.
Leftover taco meat can be used in burritos, salads, or nachos.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 taco
Calories: 250
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 520mg
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0.5g
Carbohydrates: 16g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 15g
Cholesterol: 45mg