Cheesy Baked Taco Fiesta
This Cheesy Baked Taco Fiesta is a fun, family-friendly twist on traditional tacos that’s sure to be a hit at your dinner table. Inspired by a popular Pinterest recipe, this dish features flavorful ground beef, zesty green chilies, and a generous layer of melted cheese, all wrapped in crispy taco shells. Unlike typical recipes that use canned refried beans, I highly recommend making your own for a fresher taste. For the sake of family preferences, I layer them separately to keep the flavors distinct, which adds an exciting touch to each bite. Serve with your favorite toppings like fresh lettuce, tomatoes, guacamole, and sour cream, and watch as everyone customizes their perfect taco creation! Ideal for busy weeknights, this dish can be prepared and ready in under an hour.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
ground beef (or turkey or chicken)
2 lbs (ground)
small onion
1 (diced)
green chilies
4 ounces (diced)
tomato sauce
8 ounces (canned)
fat-free refried beans
16 ounces (canned or homemade)
shredded reduced-fat colby-monterey jack cheese
2 cups (shredded)
hard taco shells
18-20 (as needed)
chili powder
1 tablespoon (for taco seasoning)
garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon (for taco seasoning)
onion powder
1/4 teaspoon (for taco seasoning)
crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon (for taco seasoning)
dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon (for taco seasoning)
paprika
1/2 teaspoon (for taco seasoning)
ground cumin
1 1/2 teaspoons (for taco seasoning)
sea salt
1 teaspoon (for taco seasoning)
black pepper
1 teaspoon (for taco seasoning)
Instructions
1
Begin by preparing the taco seasoning by mixing together chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, crushed red pepper flakes, oregano, paprika, cumin, sea salt, and black pepper. Store this blend in an airtight container.
2
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
3
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef (or turkey/chicken) along with the diced onion over medium-high heat until fully cooked. Drain any excess liquid before returning the skillet to the heat.
4
Add the diced green chilies, refried beans, tomato sauce, and prepared taco seasoning to the skillet. Stir well to combine, cooking for a few additional minutes until heated through and flavorful.
5
Carefully spoon the meat and bean mixture into each taco shell, placing them upright in a 9x13 inch baking dish. Make sure to leave room for your toppings if you choose to add them separately.
6
Sprinkle the shredded cheese generously over the filled taco shells, ensuring each one gets a nice cheesy layer.
7
Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the tacos are heated through.
8
Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes. Serve immediately with optional condiments such as shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, salsa, guacamole, sour cream, and sliced olives for a personalized touch!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Cheesy Baked Taco Fiesta?
It is a family-friendly twist on traditional tacos where filled hard shells are baked in the oven with a savory meat and bean mixture and topped with melted cheese.
What types of meat can I use for this recipe?
You can use ground beef, ground turkey, or ground chicken depending on your preference.
At what temperature should I preheat the oven?
The oven should be preheated to 400°F (200°C).
How long do the tacos need to bake?
Bake the tacos for 10-12 minutes or until the cheese is melted and they are heated through.
What ingredients are in the homemade taco seasoning?
The seasoning includes chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, crushed red pepper flakes, dried oregano, paprika, ground cumin, sea salt, and black pepper.
How many taco shells does this recipe require?
The recipe calls for 18-20 hard taco shells.
What size baking dish is recommended?
A 9x13 inch baking dish is ideal for holding the taco shells upright.
Do I need to drain the meat after cooking?
Yes, you should brown the meat with diced onions and drain any excess liquid before adding other ingredients.
Should I use canned or homemade refried beans?
The recipe suggests making your own for a fresher taste, but 16 ounces of canned fat-free refried beans also work well.
What kind of cheese is used in this recipe?
The recipe uses 2 cups of shredded reduced-fat Colby-Monterey Jack cheese.
Are there green chilies in this dish?
Yes, 4 ounces of diced green chilies are added to the meat and bean mixture for a zesty flavor.
Is there tomato sauce in the filling?
Yes, 8 ounces of canned tomato sauce are mixed into the skillet with the meat and beans.
Can I prepare the seasoning in advance?
Yes, you can mix the spices and store the blend in an airtight container for later use.
What fresh toppings are recommended after baking?
Suggested toppings include shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, salsa, guacamole, sour cream, and sliced olives.
How long does it take to prepare this meal?
This dish can be prepared and ready in under an hour, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
Is this recipe considered family-friendly?
Yes, it is designed as a fun, family-friendly meal that allows for personalization with various toppings.
How much ground meat do I need?
The recipe requires 2 lbs of ground meat.
Why is it called a 'Fiesta'?
It is named for its vibrant flavors and the ability for everyone to customize their tacos with a variety of toppings.
Do I add the toppings before or after baking?
Fresh toppings like lettuce and guacamole should be added after the tacos are removed from the oven.
How do I place the tacos in the pan?
Carefully spoon the filling into each shell and place them upright in the baking dish.
Can I use store-bought taco seasoning instead?
While the recipe provides a custom spice blend, you can use store-bought seasoning if you prefer.
Does the recipe use salt and pepper?
Yes, it uses 1 teaspoon each of sea salt and black pepper in the seasoning mix.
How much chili powder is used?
The seasoning requires 1 tablespoon of chili powder.
What is the role of the onion in the recipe?
One small diced onion is cooked with the meat to add depth and flavor to the filling.
How much cumin is in the taco seasoning?
The recipe calls for 1 and 1/2 teaspoons of ground cumin.
Can I use reduced-fat ingredients?
Yes, the recipe specifically suggests reduced-fat cheese and fat-free refried beans.
Should the tacos cool before serving?
Yes, let the tacos cool for a few minutes after taking them out of the oven before serving.
What makes these tacos crispy?
Using hard taco shells and baking them at a high temperature helps maintain their crispness.
How do I ensure the flavors are distinct?
The recipe recommends layering ingredients carefully to keep flavors exciting in every bite.
Is this a spicy recipe?
The seasoning includes red pepper flakes and green chilies, providing a zesty flavor, but it is generally family-friendly and not overly hot.