Description
These Loaded Cheesy Tacos are a delicious and easy meal, featuring seasoned ground beef or turkey in crispy or soft taco shells, topped with melted cheese, fresh veggies, and creamy sour cream. Ideal for quick weeknight dinners or gatherings, they can be customized with various toppings for added flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef (or turkey)
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 cup water
- 8 taco shells
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup sliced jalapeños (optional)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (for garnish)
- 1 avocado, sliced (optional)
- 1 lime, cut into wedges (for serving)
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the ground beef. Use a wooden spoon to break it apart as it cooks.
- Cook the beef for about 5-7 minutes, or until its browned and no longer pink. Stir occasionally for even cooking.
- Drain any excess fat from the skillet to prevent greasy tacos.
- Add the taco seasoning to the beef. If using a packet, follow the instructions, typically adding the seasoning and 1 cup of water.
- Stir and bring to a simmer. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) if using hard taco shells. Skip this step for soft tortillas.
- Arrange hard taco shells on a baking sheet and bake for 5-7 minutes until crispy and golden.
- For soft tortillas, warm them in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 30 seconds on each side, or wrap in foil and place in the oven for a few minutes.
- Spoon a generous amount of seasoned beef into each taco shell.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the beef to melt slightly.
- Add a layer of shredded lettuce on top of the cheese.
- Follow with diced tomatoes and optional sliced jalapeños.
- Top each taco with a dollop of sour cream.
- Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro and avocado slices.
- Arrange the assembled tacos on a platter or individual plates. Keep warm in a low oven (around 200°F or 93°C) if needed.
- Serve with lime wedges on the side for a zesty kick.
- Encourage customization with additional toppings like salsa, guacamole, or hot sauce.
Notes
- For a vegetarian option, substitute ground beef with black beans or lentils, seasoning them the same way.
- Feel free to mix and match toppings based on personal preferences.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes