Can this be made in under 30 minutes?

Yes, the recipe is designed to be quick and efficient.

Does it work for meal prep?

Most versions store well for one to three days.

Yes, simple swaps can be made for convenience or dietary needs.

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Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and arrange taco shells upright in a baking dish.
In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef and diced onion until beef is browned.
Drain excess fat from the pan to keep tacos from being greasy.
Add minced garlic and taco seasoning to the skillet and stir for about 1 minute.
Pour in tomato sauce or salsa, stir, and simmer for 5 minutes to meld flavors.
Spoon the seasoned beef evenly into each taco shell.
Sprinkle 2 cups shredded cheese generously over the filled tacos.
Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes until cheese is melted and shells are crisp and golden.
Remove tacos from oven and immediately top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, diced red onion, and chopped cilantro.
Serve warm with sour cream, guacamole, jalapeño slices, or hot sauce on the side.

Use pre-diced onions and pre-minced garlic to shave minutes off prep time. Store cooled taco components separately for best texture.