These crispy Baked Tacos deliver all the Mexican-inspired flavors you love, but with a healthier twist that takes just 35 minutes to prepare. Perfect for busy weeknights, these oven-baked beauties pack 8g of protein per serving while keeping calories sensible at 97 kcal each.
The shells emerge perfectly crispy, filled with seasoned goodness, and topped with melty cheese – proving that comfort food can align with your wellness goals.
Ingredients for Flavor-Packed Baked Tacos
- Ground Beef/Turkey (1 pound): Select lean meat for a healthier option
- Onion (1 small): Finely chopped for even distribution
- Seasoning Mix: Blend of chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper for authentic flavor
- Tomato Sauce (8 oz): Adds moisture and richness to the filling
- Pinto/Black Beans (16 oz): Drained and rinsed for extra protein
- Taco Shells (20): Hard shells for the perfect crunch
- Cheddar Cheese (1½ cups): Freshly shredded for best melting
- Fresh Toppings: Chopped romaine heart and Roma tomatoes for crispness
- Optional Garnishes: Your favorite salsa and sour cream
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Meat Preparation: Brown the ground meat over medium heat, breaking into small pieces for better texture
- Aromatics: Add chopped onion and cook until translucent
- Seasoning: Incorporate all dry spices, stirring well to coat the meat mixture
- Sauce Building: Mix in tomato sauce and beans, simmer 5-10 minutes to meld flavors
- Assembly Setup: Preheat oven to 375°F and arrange shells in two 9×13″ pans
- Filling: Distribute meat mixture among taco shells and top with cheese
- Baking: Heat in oven for 10-15 minutes until cheese melts perfectly
- Final Touch: Top with fresh lettuce, tomatoes, and desired condiments
Cooking Techniques
The secret to amazing baked tacos starts with properly browning your meat! Break the ground beef into tiny pieces as it cooks – this helps the seasoning coat every bit evenly.
When adding your spices, let them toast for about 30 seconds to release their flavors. The final simmer with beans and sauce creates a perfect filling that won’t make your taco shells soggy during baking.
Make It Your Own
Love to spice things up? Add diced jalapeños or a dash of cayenne to the meat mixture. Switch between pinto and black beans, or try using ground turkey for a lighter option. The cheese is totally up to you – try pepper jack for extra kick or a Mexican cheese blend for authentic flavor. If you’re feeding a crowd, this recipe doubles beautifully!
Serving Tips
Set up a fun taco bar with all the fresh toppings! Besides the lettuce and tomatoes, try adding:
- Diced avocado or guacamole
- Fresh cilantro
- Pickled red onions
- Mexican crema or sour cream
- Your favorite salsa or hot sauce
Warm the serving plates in the oven for a minute – it keeps everything toasty!
Storage and Leftovers
Already-filled tacos are best eaten right away while the shells are crispy. If you have extra filling, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When ready to eat, just warm up the filling, stuff into fresh taco shells, top with cheese, and bake. The filling also freezes great for up to 3 months!
Baked Tacos
Equipment
- Large skillet
- 9×13 baking pans
Ingredients
Taco Filling
- 1 pound lean ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 small onion chopped
- 1 Tablespoon chili powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- 16 ounce pinto beans or black beans
Assembly
- 20 hard taco shells
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 romaine heart chopped
- 2 Roma tomatoes chopped
For serving
- salsa and sour cream for topping, optional
Instructions
- Cook the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it into very small pieces until browned. Remove grease. Add onion and saute for a few minutes. Stir in the dry spices.
- Add tomato sauce and pinto beans and stir to combine. Turn the heat to low and simmer for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line two 9×13” pans with the taco shells. Spoon taco mixture into tacos. Top with cheese. Bake for 10-15 minutes.
- Top with a little bit of lettuce, tomatoes, and sour cream and salsa, if desired.
