I recently crafted a baked taco recipe using ground beef or chicken with taco seasoning and a splash of water to create a rich filling. Sandwiched between soft tortillas and topped with shredded cheese, fresh lettuce and diced tomato, this dish has become my favorite family dinner option.
I recently discovered an awesome way to mix up taco night that I just have to share with you all. I whipped this up on a busy week and it surprised me with how simple yet tasty it turned out.
I started off with 1 lb of ground beef or chicken that I cooked and drained, then mixed in a packet of taco seasoning and 1/2 cup water to bring everything together. Using 12 small tortillas, I layered the filling and topped it with 2 cups of shredded cheese before popping them in the oven.
Once baked, I finished them with 1 cup of chopped lettuce and 1 medium diced tomato, not to mention a dollop of sour cream and a bit of salsa for that extra kick. This recipe works great for Taco Tuesday or any family dinner when you’re craving a flavor-packed, easy dinner fix.
Enjoy experimenting and making it your own!
Why I Like this Recipe
I like how this recipe is super easy to make and doesn’t take forever. I really enjoy how the melted cheese mixes with the seasoned meat and lets me experiment with different toppings each time. I also love that I can switch up the meat or tortilla type depending on what I have on hand and what I feel like eating. Plus, it’s perfect for a quick dinner and always leaves me feeling satisfied after a busy day.
Ingredients
- Ground beef or chicken provides protein and rich flavor that fill these tacos real good.
- Taco seasoning adds bold spices and a savory kick, making every bite pop.
- Small tortillas serve as a soft, carb loaded base that holds all the great fillings.
- Shredded cheese melts into a creamy, gooey layer that ties the flavors together.
- Lettuce and tomato deliver a fresh crunch and vitamins that help balance the richness.
- Sour cream and salsa offer a tangy, cool finish that dont let any flavor fall flat.
Ingredient Quantities
- 1 lb ground beef or chicken, cooked and drained
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1/2 cup water
- 12 small tortillas (flour or corn, whichever you prefer)
- 2 cups shredded cheese (Mexican blend or cheddar work great)
- 1 cup chopped lettuce
- 1 medium diced tomato
- Sour cream and salsa, for topping to taste
How to Make this
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease a baking dish.
2. In a large bowl, combine the cooked meat, taco seasoning, and water until well mixed.
3. Lay out the tortillas in the dish making sure they slightly overlap so you cover the bottom evenly.
4. Spoon the meat mixture evenly over the tortillas.
5. Sprinkle the shredded cheese generously on top of the meat.
6. Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for about 15 to 20 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.
8. Top your baked tacos with chopped lettuce and diced tomato.
9. Finally, add a dollop of sour cream and a drizzle of salsa to each serving.
10. Enjoy your easy baked tacos with your favorite taco toppings while they’re still warm!
Equipment Needed
1. Oven – to heat up to 350°F and bake the tacos so the cheese melts nicely
2. Baking dish – lightly grease this so the tortillas dont stick and cover the bottom evenly
3. Large bowl – to mix your cooked meat, taco seasoning, and water for even flavoring
4. Spoon – for stirring the meat mixture until its well combined
5. Measuring cups – to get the amount of water and shredded cheese just right
6. Knife – used for dicing the tomato and chopping the lettuce which gives a fresh fiber boost
7. Cutting board – keeps your veggies safe while you prep them
8. Spatula or serving spoon – helps in transferring out the baked dish and serving the tacos evenly
FAQ
Easy Baked Tacos Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Instead of ground beef or chicken, you could use ground turkey or even a plant-based meat substitute if you’re looking for something lighter
- If you don’t have taco seasoning, try mixing chili powder, cumin, garlic powder and a pinch of salt instead
- Mix up your cheese by using monterey jack or mozzarella instead of the usual Mexican blend or cheddar for a twist in flavor
- For a crunch different from chopped lettuce, shredded cabbage works just as good in adding that fresh texture
- Instead of a diced tomato, a quick fresh pico de gallo mix can bring in a zesty kick to your dish
Pro Tips
1. Try letting the meat mixture sit for a few minutes after mixing in the taco seasoning so the flavors really meld together before you spoon it over the tortillas.
2. Instead of just laying the tortillas flat in the dish, lightly brush them with a bit of oil so they crisp up better during baking—this adds extra crunch and flavor.
3. Mix a little of the shredded cheese directly into the meat mixture then top with the rest so you get extra gooeyness, and it prevents the meat from drying out in the oven.
4. If you wanna experiment, toss in some diced jalapeños with the tomato and lettuce toppings for a spicy kick that livens up the dish.
Easy Baked Tacos Recipe
I recently crafted a baked taco recipe using ground beef or chicken with taco seasoning and a splash of water to create a rich filling. Sandwiched between soft tortillas and topped with shredded cheese, fresh lettuce and diced tomato, this dish has become my favorite family dinner option.
12
servings
300
kcal
Equipment: 1. Oven – to heat up to 350°F and bake the tacos so the cheese melts nicely
2. Baking dish – lightly grease this so the tortillas dont stick and cover the bottom evenly
3. Large bowl – to mix your cooked meat, taco seasoning, and water for even flavoring
4. Spoon – for stirring the meat mixture until its well combined
5. Measuring cups – to get the amount of water and shredded cheese just right
6. Knife – used for dicing the tomato and chopping the lettuce which gives a fresh fiber boost
7. Cutting board – keeps your veggies safe while you prep them
8. Spatula or serving spoon – helps in transferring out the baked dish and serving the tacos evenly
Ingredients
-
1 lb ground beef or chicken, cooked and drained
-
1 packet taco seasoning
-
1/2 cup water
-
12 small tortillas (flour or corn, whichever you prefer)
-
2 cups shredded cheese (Mexican blend or cheddar work great)
-
1 cup chopped lettuce
-
1 medium diced tomato
-
Sour cream and salsa, for topping to taste
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease a baking dish.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked meat, taco seasoning, and water until well mixed.
- Lay out the tortillas in the dish making sure they slightly overlap so you cover the bottom evenly.
- Spoon the meat mixture evenly over the tortillas.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheese generously on top of the meat.
- Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for about 15 to 20 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.
- Top your baked tacos with chopped lettuce and diced tomato.
- Finally, add a dollop of sour cream and a drizzle of salsa to each serving.
- Enjoy your easy baked tacos with your favorite taco toppings while they're still warm!
Notes
- Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 200g
- Total number of serves: 12
- Calories: 300kcal
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Polyunsaturated: 1g
- Monounsaturated: 5g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
- Sodium: 350mg
- Potassium: 250mg
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Vitamin A: 300IU
- Vitamin C: 6mg
- Calcium: 180mg
- Iron: 2mg
