The Cozy Cookbook is here! 
This Baked Taco Recipe can be made with ground beef or shredded chicken! They’re topped with cheese and served with your favorite taco toppings!
Be sure to try my Chicken Enchiladas and my Chicken Taco Soup recipes next!
Baked Tacos
These Baked Tacos are the EASIEST way to whip up a big batch of tacos for a 30-minute meal that your family will love every time.
You will love the flavor of the seasoned meat mixture (which can be made with ground beef or shredded chicken).
I love to add a dab of softened cream cheese to the meat mixture to add a cool, creamy offset to the taco seasoning.
How to Make It
Note: This is an overview. See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
- Line 8-10 taco shells in a casserole dish and bake at 400° for 5 minutes.
- Cook/crumble ground beef and diced onions until softened and cooked through. Drain grease and add taco seasoning, undrained diced tomatoes, and beef broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Stir in the cream cheese until melted and combined.
- Spoon rinsed/dried black beans in the bottom of each taco shell, then fill with ground beef mixture.
Top with shredded cheese. Bake, uncovered, for 7-10 minutes. Remove from heat and add desired toppings. Serve!
To Make with Chicken:
- 3 cups shredded chicken may also be used and seasoned/sautéed on the stovetop as outlined.
- I recommend that you cook the chicken over medium heat instead of medium-high, as it can become tough if rapidly cooked/boiled.
Taco Toppings
- These baked tacos can be topped with salsa, sour cream, shredded lettuce, diced avocado or guacamole, diced onions, and chopped cilantro!
Keeping the Taco Shell Crunchy
- I like to spoon black beans along the bottom of the taco shells to create a barrier between the meat mixture and the taco shell. (This works really well.)
- Refried Beans can be used in addition to or instead of black beans.
Storage
- These are best if served immediately for a nice crunchy taco.
- If you do have leftovers, wrap each leftover taco shell with foil and store in the fridge. Bake in a 350° oven for about 8 minutes to reheat.
Try These Next
-
- Chicken Taco Soup
-
- Taco Salad
-
- Chicken Tortilla Soup
-
- Steak Fajitas
-
- Chicken Enchiladas
-
- Taco Spaghetti
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Tried This Recipe?
Leave a review, I love hearing your feedback! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Baked Tacos
Ingredients
- 8-10 hard taco shells, I recommend "Stand 'N Stuff"
- 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 lb. ground beef, see notes for using chicken
- 1 yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 oz. packet taco seasoning
- 10 oz. diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
- ¼ cup beef broth, can sub chicken broth or water
- 1 Tablespoon softened cream cheese, optional
- 1 ¼ cups cheddar cheese, shredded
Optional Toppings:
- Salsa
- Sour Cream
- Shredded Lettuce
- Diced Avocado/Guacamole
Instructions
- Drain and rinse the black beans. Set them on a paper towel lined plate to dry.
- Preheat oven to 400°. Line 8-10 taco shells along a 9 x 13 inch casserole dish and bake for 5 minutes if using a light colored dish, 3 minutes if using a dark dish.
- Meanwhile, cook and crumble the ground beef and diced onions over medium-high heat until softened and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes. Drain grease.
- Add taco seasoning, undrained diced tomatoes, and beef broth. Bring to a boil and let it reduce for 1-2 minutes, then reduce to a simmer. Stir in the softened cream cheese until melted and combined. By now most of the liquid should have evaporated, with just enough moisture to ensure the meat isn't dry.
- Spoon black beans onto the bottom of each taco shell, then top with ground beef mixture.
- Top with cheese and bake, uncovered, for 7-10 minutes.
- Remove from heat and add desired toppings. Serve!
Notes
- 3 cups shredded chicken may also be used and seasoned/sautéed on the stovetop as outlined.
- I recommend that you cook the chicken over medium heat instead of medium-high, as it can become tough if rapidly cooked/boiled.
- Monterey Jack is another great cheese option to combine with or use instead of cheddar.
- Refried Beans can be used in addition to or instead of black beans.
- I use Old El Paso Stand 'N Stuff Taco Shells for this recipe. They're nice and thick and can stand up without leaning on each other.
These are just the ticket to throw together when you want a quick meal. We go to church on Saturday afternoons so I like to have something made or ready to bake, or something in the crockpot because we get home right around mealtime…I had most of the ingredients sitting out, so it was easy to get these put together. Delicious!
I’m so happy you’ve been enjoying the baked tacos Vicki! I know what you mean, this is the ultimate throw together meal that’s actually yummy. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review!😃
This was a great new way to enjoy tacos! Really good. Will make again!
Thanks so much Amy, I’m so happy you liked them! I love how easy this one is!😃
I just made these for Taco Tuesday, and they are delicious! Made the ground beef version, can’t wait to try the chicken version. I would definitely recommend this recipe, it’s quick and easy too.
I love Taco Tuesday! Thanks so much for recommending this recipe Sarah!💖
These are so yummy! Super easy, too! We’re already talking about making up batches of these for next football season parties! Thanks for another good one, Stephanie!
My pleasure Linda! It’s funny you mention that, I made these so many times this football season for my hubby and his friends!😃
This was absolutely delicious. I made these tacos two days in a row! I did make some substitutiins and additions. For starters, I made my own hsrd tortillas by just frying em in oil and folding em over. I used ground chicken for the tacos and my own taco seasoning mix. I added half of a red bell pepper (minced), one clove of minced garlic, and cayenne pepper.
This was shared with me and i’ve shared it with other friends. Sooo good.
I’m so happy you’ve been enjoying the tacos Kennie! I like to switch it up with ground chicken too sometimes. Nice work making your own hard shell tacos, yummm😋 Thanks so much for the great review!
Added spinach to this to add some greens in the mix and served it with avocados and soft mini tortillas 😊😊. We loved it…It was delicious!
I’m so happy it was such a hit! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review!💕
Best tacos ever! My whole family loved these tacos. I can never serve “regular” tacos again. 🙂
That’s GREAT news Amanda! I am soo happy to hear that! I said the same thing when I started making these, regular tacos went out the window! 😉 Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review, I really appreciate it! -Stephanie
Can this be made with ground turkey?
Yes it can 🙂
Ended up using beef because I had it but wow awesome easy recipe! Will make again with turkey for sure.
I’m so happy you enjoyed the baked tacos Carla, nice work!🙌 Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review!
Thank you for your baked taco idea. I heated some flour tortillas to use as well, I spread some refried beans on them, placed the corn shell inside, then followed with the black beans, meat, etc. I did use a mix of cheeses and it was absolutely delicious and easy to handle to eat!
You’re very welcome Alice, thanks so much for the great review!❤️
Made this tonight my family loved it..
Wahooo! That’s so great to hear Juanita, thanks so much for the great review!💗