• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Cookbook
  • Shop
  • Shop Style
  • Contact
    • Subscribe

Strawberry Blondie Kitchen

Everyday recipes for the whole family

Home » Healthier Oven Baked Tacos

By Megan | Strawberry Blondie Kitchen 35 Comments

Healthier Oven Baked Tacos

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #YesYouCAN #CollectiveBias

Easy and delicious Healthier Oven Baked Tacos are super simple to make, feed a crowd and use ingredients that you can already find in your pantry. Perfect for watching the BIG GAME and feeding the hungry football fans!

Try our Hatch Chile Guacamole on these babies, it’s delicious!

Easy and delicious Healthier Oven Baked Tacos are super simple to make, feed a crowd and use ingredients that you can already find in your pantry. Perfect for watching the BIG GAME and feeding the hungry football fans! | Strawberry Blondie Kitchen

Are you ready for some football?  Sorry I couldn’t help myself.  After last weekend’s playoff games, it has now been determined who is playing in the BIG GAME, and we are so excited over here!  Now I am very much into football as much as I am the food and the commercials, so bring it on!

With it still being January I wanted to create something that was a little on the healthier side.  Now don’t get me wrong, I love a GOOD game day spread, but it can sometimes be a little on the indulgent side.  So I set out to create something that would be a little bit on the lighter side.  I also wanted to create something that could feed a crowd, since we expect quite a number of people at our house and I don’t want to be stuck in the kitchen cooking all the food and missing all the action in the living room.

So, these Healthier Oven Baked Tacos were born and you wanna know the best part?  I already had everything in my pantry!  SCORE!

Easy and delicious Healthier Oven Baked Tacos are super simple to make, feed a crowd and use ingredients that you can already find in your pantry. Perfect for watching the BIG GAME and feeding the hungry football fans! | Strawberry Blondie Kitchen

I knew I could whip up a batch of tacos, pop them in the oven right before our guests got here and they’d be ready to eat come game time.  12 tacos all made at once, with a taco bar so guest can fill their own and I’m not slaving away in the kitchen, amazing.

HTML tutorial

We always have the main staples for tacos in our house. Shells, refried beans, canned tomatoes and meat are always on hand around here.  We probably eat tacos at least once a week.  It’s a sure-fire dinner my kids will devour. What I didn’t have on hand was fresh produce for our taco bar. I headed to Wal-Mart to peruse produce section to see what my guests might like to add to their tacos once they were baked.

Easy and delicious Healthier Oven Baked Tacos are super simple to make, feed a crowd and use ingredients that you can already find in your pantry. Perfect for watching the BIG GAME and feeding the hungry football fans! | Strawberry Blondie Kitchen

After I picked up some avocados, red onions and cilantro in the produce aisle, I headed over to the international aisle to see what else I could grab for our spread.  Instead of having a side dish of refried beans, I decided I would place the refried beans on the bottom of the taco.  I was delighted when I saw Rosarita had a no fat version so I went with that.  I also decided to pick up a can of No Salt Added Ro*TEL tomatoes to add to my ground turkey.

I decided I would make them for dinner so that my family could be my guinea pigs before trying these out on game day.  I first started by browning the extra lean ground turkey breast.  When it was cooked through, I added homemade taco seasoning.  I learned a long time ago to make my own seasonings so that I can control the ingredients and amount of salt is added.  (I add no salt to my taco seasoning)  It’s very simple and if you’d like for me to share my recipe, let me know.  Then I added in my can of No Salt Added Ro*TEL tomatoes and my filling was finished.

 Easy and delicious Healthier Oven Baked Tacos are super simple to make, feed a crowd and use ingredients that you can already find in your pantry. Perfect for watching the BIG GAME and feeding the hungry football fans! | Strawberry Blondie Kitchen

Next, I placed the refried beans on the bottom of the tacos shells.  Here’s a kitchen hack for you.  Don’t you hate it when you can’t get your tacos to stand upright? Not all taco brands have a flat bottom and the ones we preferred do not, so here’s a little tip.  Use a fork and place the tines inside of the taco shell, and it’ll stand up, freeing you to fill the tacos as you please.  No more mess of taco filling all over the counter!

Easy and delicious Healthier Oven Baked Tacos are super simple to make, feed a crowd and use ingredients that you can already find in your pantry. Perfect for watching the BIG GAME and feeding the hungry football fans! | Strawberry Blondie Kitchen

After the beans were in the shells, I topped them with meat and cheese then popped them into the oven for 10 minutes.  After 10 minutes the cheese was all melted, bubbly and the house smelled amazing!

Easy and delicious Healthier Oven Baked Tacos are super simple to make, feed a crowd and use ingredients that you can already find in your pantry. Perfect for watching the BIG GAME and feeding the hungry football fans! | Strawberry Blondie Kitchen

Mmm… look at that gooey cheese!  The best part about these tacos was the creamy refried beans paired with the slightly spicy taco meat.  They were so delicious.  I was telling my husband at dinner that they were made healthier and he looked at my puzzled.  So I explained that they were made with ground turkey and he couldn’t even tell the difference.  I was so pleased at how well these turned out and I was able to make 12 of them at one time.  I could easily double the recipe and the whole crowd could have 2, because face it, you’re not finishing at just one.

Easy and delicious Healthier Oven Baked Tacos are super simple to make, feed a crowd and use ingredients that you can already find in your pantry. Perfect for watching the BIG GAME and feeding the hungry football fans! | Strawberry Blondie Kitchen

I set up the topping bar with shredded lettuce, homemade guacamole, extra cheese, because who doesn’t like extra cheese and pico de gallo (which I used RO*TEL Mexican style tomatoes with lime and cilantro, drained and then added red onion)  I absolutely loved the ease and quickness of this meal.  All it took was browning the meat + cans of beans and tomatoes + fresh produce = a delicious game day spread or quick dinner that feeds a crowd!

Easy and delicious Healthier Oven Baked Tacos are super simple to make, feed a crowd and use ingredients that you can already find in your pantry. Perfect for watching the BIG GAME and feeding the hungry football fans! | Strawberry Blondie Kitchen

12 votes

Print

Healthier Oven Baked Tacos

Prep 10 mins

Cook 10 mins

Total 20 mins

Author Strawberry Blondie Kitchen

Yield 12

Easy and delicious Healthier Oven Baked Tacos are super simple to make, feed a crowd and use ingredients that you can already find in your pantry. Perfect for watching the BIG GAME and feeding the hungry football fans!

Ingredients

  • 1 lb extra lean ground turkey (or ground meat of choice)
  • 5 tablespoons taco seasoning (can be homemade or less sodium packet)
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 can Ro*TEL Original, No salt Added Diced tomatoes & green chilies
  • 1 can Rosarita No Fat Traditional Refried Beans
  • 12 Crunchy Taco Shells
  • 3/4 cup Fat Free Shredded Cheddar Cheese
  • Assorted toppings (shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, guacamole, cheese, sour cream)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  2. Brown ground meat in a large skillet.
  3. Add taco seasoning and water and bring to a boil, stirring to combine.
  4. Add in can of Ro*TEL tomatoes and mix to combine.
  5. Place forks inside of your taco shells, to hold them upright, and place 2 tablespoons of Rosarita refried beans into each shell. Smooth out to completely cover bottom.
  6. Add 2 tablespoons of taco meat mixture and then top with 1 tablespoon of cheese.
  7. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes
  8. Top with your favorite taco toppings

Notes

*Nutritional information is based on ingredients as written and homemade taco seasoning containing no salt. Nutritional stats do not include toppings.

Courses Dinner

Cuisine Mexican

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1 taco

Amount Per Serving

Calories 115

% Daily Value

Total Fat 5 g

8%

Saturated Fat 1 g

5%

Cholesterol 24 mg

8%

Sodium 399 mg

17%

Total Carbohydrates 10 g

3%

Dietary Fiber 1 g

4%

Sugars 1 g

Protein 10 g

20%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

*Compared to your standard ground beef taco, these Healthier Oven Baked Tacos have fewer calories, fat and sodium.  They are also higher in protein by using ground turkey breast over ground beef.

Healthier Oven Baked Tacos are a great way for you to tackle your to do list this game day season.  You could prepare these tacos in advance, pop them in the oven 10 minutes before guests arrive and they’ll have piping hot and fresh tacos out of the oven as soon as they walk in the door.  It can’t get any simpler and tastier than that!

Easy and delicious Healthier Oven Baked Tacos are super simple to make, feed a crowd and use ingredients that you can already find in your pantry. Perfect for watching the BIG GAME and feeding the hungry football fans! | Strawberry Blondie Kitchen

How do you plan to celebrate the BIG GAME?  Are you in it for the teams, food, commercials or all 3?  As for me, I’d love to see a great game, hilarious commercials and some darn good cooking, starting with these Healthier Oven Baked Tacos.

Check out more tips, tricks and recipes on ConAgra Food’s Yes You Can page.  It’s chocked full of awesome ideas on how you can make great game day recipes using canned goods and fresh produce right from your local Walmart store.

Enjoy and if you make this recipe, please share a photo on social media and hashtag it #strawberryblondiekitchen I ♥ to see your versions!  Happy Eating! Easy and delicious Healthier Oven Baked Tacos are super simple to make, feed a crowd and use ingredients that you can already find in your pantry. Perfect for watching the BIG GAME and feeding the hungry football fans! | Strawberry Blondie Kitchen

Filed Under: Beef Tagged With: beans, beef, dinner, football, game day, healthy, Main, mexican, tacos, tomatoes, turkey

old after entry

I'm Megan, the strawberry blondie behind this kitchen. I'm a self proclaimed foodie who loves to EAT! I have a passion for sweet + salty, caffeine and chocolate.
Previous Post: « Blood Orange Shrimp Stir Fry
Next Post: Mocha Coconut Java Carnation Breakfast Shake »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kristen @ A Mind Full Mom says

    at

    I love Oven Baked Tacos–and adding refried beans perfection 🙂

    Reply
    • Megan Marlowe says

      at

      YES! It added a depth of creaminess to the tacos making them my favorite part!

      Reply
  2. heather @french press says

    at

    YES!! baked tacos for the win, and I love that they are a bit on the healthier side

    Reply
    • Megan Marlowe says

      at

      I love using turkey in place of ground beef wherever I can to make things a little on the healthier side. This came out great and I was so pleased! Enjoy!

      Reply
  3. Renee says

    at

    These look amazingly delicious! We love tacos!!

    Reply
    • Megan Marlowe says

      at

      Us too! They’re a weekly rotation for us!

      Reply
  4. Linda @ Food Huntress says

    at

    I love added ground turkey to recipes, especially Mexican recipes. I usually can ‘t tell the difference either. These look good!

    Reply
    • Megan Marlowe says

      at

      Yes, I love turkey in Mexican dishes. Such a boost of protein and you’re right, no one can tell the difference. win-win!

      Reply
  5. Whitney @ That Square Plate says

    at

    Tacos are my favorite!! And glad you have made a healthier version! They look delicious !!

    Reply
    • Megan Marlowe says

      at

      Thank you, Whitney! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Karen @ Karen's Kitchen Stories says

    at

    Love your hack for standing up the taco shells! These look so good!

    Reply
  7. Rosemary @anitalianinmykitchen.com says

    at

    We love tacos in our house, especially my daughter, can’t wait to try them.

    Reply
    • Megan Marlowe says

      at

      Thank you Rosemary!

      Reply
  8. Diane says

    at

    These look delicious! I have never baked my tacos! they look so tasty and use some of my favorite ingredients like the old El Paso refried beans and Rotel tomatoes! I must try this recipe!

    Reply
    • Megan Marlowe says

      at

      Thank you, Diane! It makes life so much easier to heat them all at once and feed the entire family!

      Reply
  9. Brian Jones says

    at

    Love the simplicity of this, I really am determined to cook more Mexican influenced food over the next year… It is not something we see a lot of in Europe and this seems like a nice gentle introduction that sounds delicious 🙂

    Reply
    • Megan Marlowe says

      at

      Brian, thank you so much! These are so simple and delicious. I love that you can personalize them to your own taste so when they’re done baking you can top them with any of your favorites. We also love enchiladas in this house so definitely try and make those at home too!

      Reply
  10. April says

    at

    Yum easy and simple! I’ve never baked tacos before but I’m going to give it a try. My entire family loves tacos and I always keep cans or Rotel handy.

    Reply
    • Megan Marlowe says

      at

      I love that 10-12 of them can bake at the same time and then every one can top their own.

      Reply
  11. Janie says

    at

    Ooooh, they look so tasty! Also love the tip about using a fork to hold the shells up – why have I never thought of the??!
    Janie x

    Reply
  12. Kit Graham says

    at

    Tacos are the BEST! And I always put refried beans on tacos – it’s taco glue – it holds them together!

    Reply
  13. Michele says

    at

    You have so many helpful tips… the fork trick, the turkey meat substitute and your own taco seasoning… And yes, please share that recipe… Im always looking for new variations! Thanks

    Reply
  14. Mahy says

    at

    These look seriously GOOD!! I love Mexican food any day and these are on my to do list NOW!! fabulous photos and simply YUMMY food!

    Reply
  15. Jillian @ Food, Folks and Fun says

    at

    Your tacos look amazing! I love that they are healthier for you!

    Reply
    • Megan Marlowe says

      at

      Thank you, Jillian!

      Reply
  16. Lisa | Garlic & Zest says

    at

    I’m so glad to know who’s playing in the game because we plan our menu around the cities where the two teams are from — and I was absolutely dreading Pittsburgh – pirogies…. I’m good with Atlanta and New England though! I’ll save the tacos for a hangry weeknight!

    Reply
    • Megan Marlowe says

      at

      LOL, that is so awesome! I may have to follow your lead with the theme. Sounds super fun!

      Reply
  17. Cliona Keane says

    at

    These look super tasty! Perfect for chilling out watching the game without pigging out too much!

    Reply
    • Megan Marlowe says

      at

      Agreed! A little “health” food never hurt anyone on game day! ?

      Reply
  18. Janette@CulinaryGinger.com says

    at

    Baking tacos is such a great idea because I do love my cheese melted. They look fabulous.

    Reply
    • Megan Marlowe says

      at

      I agree! Nothing better than melty cheese!

      Reply
  19. Jamie | The Kitchenarium says

    at

    YUM! I love adding beans to my tacos too. Baked tacos are perfection.

    Reply
    • Megan Marlowe says

      at

      I agree, I just love beans! Thank you so much, Jamie!

      Reply
  20. Emily says

    at

    We are big taco fans in my home. I’ve never though of baking them before, what a great idea!

    Reply
    • Megan Marlowe says

      at

      Us too! It’s so quick and easy, you’ll love it!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

I'm Megan, the strawberry blondie behind this kitchen. I'm a self proclaimed foodie who loves to EAT! I have a passion for sweet + salty, caffeine and chocolate.
Read More >>
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Available Now!

Subscribe to start receiving our (free!) emails with new and delicious recipes!

Your info will never be shared or sold to a 3rd party.

Footer

All Images and content are © Strawberry Blondie Kitchen. Please do not republish without prior consent. If you wish to share a recipe, please simply rewrite the directions, in your own words, with your own photos, and link back to the specific post to provide credit.
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
COPYRIGHT © 2015 • STRAWBERRY BLONDIE KITCHEN • Privacy/Disclosure Policy