Description
Loaded Cheesy Tacos are a delicious and easy-to-make Mexican-American dish featuring seasoned ground beef, melted cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, and a variety of fresh toppings all wrapped in warm tortillas. Perfect for taco night, these tacos combine savory flavors and creamy textures to create a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Seasoning
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 packet taco seasoning (or 2 tablespoons homemade blend)
- 1/4 cup water
Cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Tortillas
- 8 small flour or corn tortillas
Toppings
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 avocado, diced or sliced
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Hot sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Onions and Garlic: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Brown the Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet. Break it up with a spoon and cook until browned and fully cooked, about 6–8 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
- Add Seasoning: Stir in taco seasoning and water. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 2–3 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef evenly.
- Warm Tortillas: Heat the tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat or microwave them until they become soft and pliable.
- Assemble Tacos: Divide the seasoned beef mixture evenly among the tortillas. Sprinkle each with shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses.
- Add Toppings: Top the tacos with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sliced black olives, chopped red onion, sour cream, avocado slices, fresh cilantro, and hot sauce if desired.
- Serve: Serve the loaded cheesy tacos immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- For extra cheesy tacos, place the assembled tacos on a baking sheet and broil for 1–2 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and melted.
- For a vegetarian version, replace ground beef with seasoned black beans or lentils.
- Use either flour or corn tortillas based on preference or dietary needs.
- Adjust toppings and hot sauce to taste for spiciness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 taco
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
