Oven Baked Tacos

Ingredients:

2 lb ground beef

1 can refried beans

1 can of tomato sauce

1 packet taco seasoning

1 oz shredded cheese

12 tortillas/taco shells

Instructions:

Start with the taco shells, buy them in the store or make em yourself. If you make them yourself, I don’t think you will ever go back to purchasing taco shells.

ll you need is some tortillas and cooking spray. We used some small, soft “taco” tortillas. We used the flour kind but corn is fine too.

First you want to steam them… Wet some paper towels and wring them out well.

Layer the tortillas with the wet paper towels on a plate and then microwave (we did 6 at a time). Keep an eye on them, it should be about 30 seconds until they are steamed.

Then lightly spray each side with cooking spray and drape each tortilla over two bars of the oven rack. It is wise to put a baking sheet below them to catch any oil from the cooking spray.

Bake at 350-375 degrees for 7-10 minutes. You will be able to tell that they are browning & getting crispy. Take them out and set them aside!

Okay, now for the filling All you need is ground beef (2 pounds), 1 can of refried beans, 1 can of tomato sauce, 1 packet of taco seasoning, shredded cheese, & your favorite taco toppings.

Brown the ground beef in a large skillet. COMPLETELY drain all grease and return to skillet.

Over low heat, add refried beans, taco seasoning, and about half to two-thirds of the tomato sauce (you can eye this to see whats best, you don’t want the filling to be too runny or your tacos will be soggy on the bottoms).

Blend well and scoop into the tacos (which should be “standing” in a lightly greased casserole type dish).

Then just sprinkle the cheese over the top and bake. I think I did my at 375 degrees for about 10 minutes.

Nutrition Information:

YIELD: 6 SERVING SIZE: 1

Frequently Asked Questions:

How can I prevent the tacos from becoming soggy?

The key to preventing soggy tacos is to avoid overfilling them with tomato sauce or any wet ingredients.

Make sure you drain the ground beef thoroughly after browning, and add just enough tomato sauce to combine the filling ingredients without making it runny.

Can I prepare these tacos in advance?

Yes, you can prepare the filling in advance and store it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to eat, you can warm the filling, fill the taco shells, sprinkle with cheese, and bake as directed.

What are some good toppings for these tacos?

You can top these oven-baked tacos with a variety of ingredients based on your preference.

Some popular options include shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, chopped onions, sour cream, guacamole, jalapenos, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.

Can I use store-bought taco shells instead of homemade ones?

Yes, you can definitely use store-bought taco shells. However, the recipe recommends homemade taco shells because they can be more flavorful and crispy.

If you’re short on time, though, store-bought shells are a great option.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time and reheat it later?

You can prepare the filling ahead of time and refrigerate it. When you’re ready to serve the tacos, you can heat the filling, stuff the taco shells, add cheese, and bake them in the oven as instructed.

However, the taco shells are best when baked just before serving.