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 Loaded Taco Shells with Creamy Cheese Sauce 

Crispy taco shells stuffed with flavorful seasoned meat and topped with a homemade creamy cheddar cheese sauce — perfect for taco night with endless toppings!

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 8–10 tacos 1x

Ingredients

Scale
    • For the Taco Filling:
    • 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey
    • 1 tbsp olive oil (if using lean turkey)
    • 2 cloves garlic, minced
    • 1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade – see notes)
    • ⅓ cup water
    • 8–10 hard taco shells or small flour tortillas

 

    • For the Creamy Cheese Sauce:
    • 2 tbsp butter
    • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
    • 1 ¼ cups whole milk
    • 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
    • ½ tsp garlic powder
    • Salt and pepper, to taste
    • Optional: 1 tsp hot sauce for a little kick

 

  • Topping Ideas:
  • Shredded lettuce
  • Diced tomatoes
  • Jalapeños
  • Sliced black olives
  • Sour cream
  • Cilantro
  • Diced red onions
  • Crushed tortilla chips (for crunch!)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the taco shells: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Place taco shells on a baking sheet and warm for 5–7 minutes until crisp.
  2. Cook the taco meat: In a large skillet, brown the ground beef or turkey over medium heat. Drain excess grease if needed. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more. Stir in taco seasoning and water; simmer for 5–7 minutes until thickened.
  3. Make the cheese sauce: While the meat cooks, melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually add milk, whisking constantly. Cook until thickened, 3–4 minutes. Stir in cheddar, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and hot sauce if using. Whisk until smooth and creamy.
  4. Assemble the tacos: Fill each shell with taco meat. Top with lettuce, tomatoes, and any desired toppings. Drizzle warm cheese sauce over the top.
  5. Serve immediately: Enjoy while hot with chips on the side to scoop up anything that falls out. Don’t waste the cheese sauce!

Notes

  • Go vegetarian by using black beans or plant-based crumbles.
  • Use queso blanco instead of cheddar for a different twist.
  • Try soft tortillas instead of crunchy shells — fold them up like cheesy tacos.
  • Add cooked corn or rice to the filling for more bulk.
  • Top with crushed spicy chips for a fun, crunchy finish.
  • Author: Selena Trump
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Tex-Mex

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 taco
  • Calories: 290
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Sodium: 460mg
  • Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 9g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 16g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 14g
  • Cholesterol: 55mg

Keywords: loaded tacos, cheese sauce, taco night, ground beef tacos, creamy tacos