# Oven Baked Tacos: A Twist On Taco Night
Get ready to give your traditional taco night a delicious makeover with these irresistibly easy oven-baked tacos. They’re loaded with flavorsome ingredients like savory meat, refried beans, and melted cheese, all wonderfully encased within a crispy taco shell. It’s the perfect meal suitable for both weeknight dinners and special gatherings.
## Why Try This Recipe
The real magic behind these oven-baked tacos is the way they’re prepared. Baking the assembled tacos ensures the shells hold their structure, while at the same time melding the flavors together and providing the cheese ample time to reach peak melting point. Not to mention, it’s a stress-free approach to cooking because it requires minimal cleanup and very little hands-on time!
## How To Make Oven Baked Tacos
### Ingredients:
– 1 lb ground beef or turkey
– 1 packet of taco seasoning
– 1 can (15 oz) of refried beans
– 1 cup of salsa
– 12 taco shells
– 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheese (cheddar or a Mexican blend)
– Optional toppings: You can add chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, sliced jalapeños, or any of your favorite taco toppings.
### Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef or turkey and drain off the excess fat.
3. Stir in the taco seasoning and refried beans until well combined.
4. Mix in the salsa and keep cooking until it’s heated through.
5. Stand the taco shells upright in a 9×13 inch baking dish.
6. Spoon the meat mixture into each shell, making sure it’s evenly distributed.
7. Sprinkle the cheese generously over the top.
8. Bake for 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and melted, and the shells are crispy.
9. Let the tacos cool slightly before topping them off with any additional toppings of your choice.
## How to Serve Oven Baked Tacos
Serve your oven-baked tacos immediately after cooking, while the shells are still crispy and the cheese is melty. You can simply present them on a serving platter and let everyone help themselves.
## How to Store Oven Baked Tacos
Leftover tacos can be stored in airtight containers and refrigerated for up to 2 days. Reheat them in the oven for best results, but note that the shells might lose their crispiness.
## Tips to Make Oven Baked Tacos
– The key to perfect oven-baked tacos is not overfilling the shells. This prevents them from getting soggy or breaking apart.
– Customize the filling of the taco according to your preference. You can switch the meat for shredded chicken or even go for a vegetarian option by using cooked lentils or beans.
## Variation
You can experiment with different types of cheeses like feta, fresh mozzarella, or even blue cheese for a unique twist. Additionally, you can replace regular salsa with pineapple or mango salsa for a sweet touch.
## FAQs
1. **Can I make these tacos in advance?** It’s better to assemble and bake oven-baked tacos right before serving since the shells might get soggy over time.
2. **Can I freeze oven-baked tacos?** You can only freeze the meat filling, then thaw it and assemble the tacos when ready to bake and serve.
3. **Should I use soft or hard taco shells?** The crunchiness of hard taco shells give oven-baked tacos their unique appeal, but you can use soft ones. Just have in mind the result will be closer to a quesadilla or burrito.