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Loaded Baked Cheesy Pocket Tacos: The Ultimate Quick Dinner Twist on Taco Night

Three golden brown cheesy pocket tacos on a white plate, one cut open showing seasoned ground beef and melted cheddar cheese.
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Make these loaded baked cheesy pocket tacos for a satisfying, handheld meal. Seasoned ground beef and gooey melted cheese are sealed inside crispy tortillas for a simple, family-friendly weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 packet (1 ounce) taco seasoning mix
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 8 large flour tortillas (burrito size)
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup salsa
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
  • Cooking spray

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a baking sheet or spray it with cooking spray.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart, until it is fully browned. Drain off any excess grease.
  3. Stir the taco seasoning mix and water into the cooked ground beef. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has mostly evaporated. Remove the skillet from the heat.
  4. In a small bowl, mix the softened cream cheese and salsa together until smooth.
  5. Warm the tortillas briefly in the microwave (about 15 seconds) to make them pliable. This prevents tearing when folding.
  6. Lay a warm tortilla flat. Spread about 1 tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture down the center. Top the cream cheese with about 1/4 cup of the seasoned ground beef mixture. Sprinkle generously with shredded cheese.
  7. Fold the tortilla in half over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Press the edges firmly together to seal the pocket. You can use a fork to crimp the edges for extra security if desired.
  8. Place the sealed pocket seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining tortillas and filling.
  9. Lightly spray the tops of the pockets with cooking spray.
  10. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the tortillas are golden brown and crispy and the cheese inside is fully melted and gooey.
  11. Serve immediately with your favorite taco toppings.

Notes

  • For an air fryer method, cook the pockets at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 6 to 8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown.
  • You can substitute the ground beef with ground turkey or shredded cooked chicken for a different flavor profile.
  • Use a thicker tortilla, like a burrito size, to prevent the filling from leaking during baking.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingzenith.com/cheesy-pocket-tacos-recipe-quick-dinner/