Description
Taco Casserole is a hearty, family-friendly dish layered with seasoned ground beef, beans, salsa, cheese, and crunchy tortilla chips. It brings all the flavors of a taco night into one easy-to-make baked meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, or make-ahead dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, canned, or frozen)
Seasoning and Beans
- 1 packet taco seasoning (or 2 tablespoons homemade)
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
Other Ingredients
- 1 cup salsa
- 2 cups shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- 2 cups crushed tortilla chips
- ½ cup sour cream (optional)
Toppings
- Chopped tomatoes
- Green onions
- Jalapeños (optional)
- Cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to get it ready for baking the casserole.
- Cook Ground Beef and Onions: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion until the beef is browned and the onions are soft. Drain any excess grease to keep the dish from becoming greasy.
- Add Seasoning and Mix: Stir in the taco seasoning, black beans, corn kernels, and salsa into the beef mixture. Allow it to simmer gently for 5 minutes so that all the flavors meld together.
- Layer the Casserole: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Start by spreading half of the crushed tortilla chips evenly on the bottom of the dish. Spoon the beef mixture evenly over the chips, then sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheese on top. Add the remaining crushed tortilla chips as another layer, and top with the remaining cheese.
- Bake Covered: Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. This helps cook through the layers evenly and melts the cheese.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 5 to 10 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly, giving the casserole a golden finish.
- Rest and Serve: Let the casserole sit for 5 minutes after baking to set up, making it easier to serve. Top with optional sour cream, chopped tomatoes, green onions, jalapeños, and cilantro as desired before serving.
Notes
- For a spicy kick, add chopped jalapeños or use a hot salsa variety.
- Substitute ground turkey or a vegetarian meat alternative to adapt the dish to different dietary preferences.
- Use gluten-free taco seasoning and tortilla chips to make this casserole gluten-free.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
