Ah, Taco Casserole—a cheesy, meaty, and easy-to-make dish that’s perfect for weeknight dinners. 🌮🧀
Taco Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef or turkey
- 1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade: 1 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp cumin, ½ tsp paprika, ½ tsp garlic powder, salt & pepper)
- 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed (optional)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- 1 cup crushed tortilla chips or soft taco shells, chopped
- 1 small onion, diced
- ½ cup salsa
- Optional toppings: sour cream, sliced olives, chopped green onions
Instructions
- Cook the Beef
- In a skillet, cook ground beef and onion over medium heat until browned.
- Drain excess fat.
- Add taco seasoning and stir until well coated.
- Assemble the Casserole
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a baking dish, layer:
- Half of the crushed tortilla chips
- Half of the beef mixture
- Half of the diced tomatoes and beans
- Half of the shredded cheese
- Repeat layers with remaining ingredients.
- Top with remaining cheese.
- Bake
- Bake 20–25 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve
- Let cool slightly.
- Top with sour cream, salsa, green onions, or olives if desired.
Optional Variations
- Add corn, bell peppers, or jalapeños for extra flavor
- Use rotel tomatoes for a spicier casserole
- Make it slow cooker style: layer everything in the slow cooker and cook on LOW 3–4 hours
If you want, I can also give a quick 30-minute taco casserole recipe that’s even easier and doesn’t require pre-cooking the beef.
Do you want me to do that?
