Quick Taco Potato Casserole Recipe for Cozy Family Dinners
Crafting a mouthwatering taco potato casserole brings pure comfort to your dinner table.
Layers of crispy potatoes and zesty seasoned meat create a delightful culinary adventure.
Cheese melts into golden rivers between each delectable bite.
Weeknight meals never looked so tempting or satisfying.
Hearty ingredients combine in a simple yet impressive dish that sparks excitement around the dinner table.
You’ll find this recipe works magic with minimal preparation.
Hungry diners will absolutely fall in love with every single forkful.
Taco Potato Casserole Summary
Ingredients for Taco Potato Casserole
Main Protein:Potato Layer:Seasoning and Flavor Enhancers:Dairy and Topping Ingredients:Additional Components:Stepwise Taco Potato Casserole Instructions
Step 1: Warm Up The Oven
Set your oven to a toasty 375°F (190°C) so it’s ready for baking.
Step 2: Sizzle The Meat
In a large skillet, brown ground beef with diced onions.
Make sure to drain any extra fat after cooking.
Step 3: Spice Up The Mixture
Add these ingredients to create a flavorful base:Let the mixture simmer and blend flavors for 5 minutes.
Step 4: Build The Delicious Layers
In a greased casserole dish, create two identical layers with:Alternate and repeat the layers for maximum taste.
Step 5: Initial Baking
Cover the dish with foil and bake for 45-50 minutes until potatoes become tender and soft.
Step 6: Final Cheesy Touch
Remove the foil and add:Bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes until cheese melts beautifully.
Step 7: Garnish And Serve
Sprinkle chopped green onions over the casserole.
Serve hot and enjoy your hearty meal!
Tips for Taco Potato Casserole
Elevate your taco potato casserole with these helpful tips:Flavor Variations for Taco Potato Casserole
Serving Suggestions for Taco Potato Casserole
Storage Advice for Taco Potato Casserole
FAQs
Yes, ground turkey is a great lean alternative that works perfectly in this casserole and provides similar flavor and texture.
Frozen hash browns or pre-sliced potatoes can be substituted and will work just as well in the recipe.
The taco seasoning and tomatoes with chilies add a mild kick, but you can control the heat by choosing mild taco seasoning or reducing the amount of chilies.
You can prepare the casserole up to the point of baking, cover it, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before cooking. Just add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time.
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Cheesy Taco Potato Casserole Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
Description
Mexican-inspired taco potato casserole combines hearty comfort with zesty flavors from ground beef, cheese, and crispy potato layers. Families will savor this satisfying meal that brings warmth and excitement to dinner tables.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef
- 4 large potatoes, sliced
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies
- Green onions, chopped (for garnish)
Dairy and Seasonings:
- 1 cup sour cream
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 375F (190C) and prepare a casserole dish with cooking spray.
- Brown ground beef with onions in a skillet, carefully draining any accumulated fat.
- Incorporate taco seasoning and diced tomatoes with chilies, allowing the mixture to simmer and develop flavors for 5 minutes.
- Create the first potato layer in the casserole dish, spreading an even base of sliced potatoes.
- Distribute the seasoned beef mixture uniformly over the potato layer.
- Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded cheese across the beef layer.
- Repeat the layering process with remaining potatoes, beef mixture, and cheese to create a complete casserole.
- Seal the dish tightly with aluminum foil to trap moisture and steam.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes until potatoes become fork-tender and the casserole is heated through.
- Remove foil and add a final layer of cheese and dollops of sour cream on top.
- Return to oven uncovered for an additional 10 minutes to melt cheese and create a golden surface.
- Garnish with freshly chopped green onions before serving hot.
Notes
- Customize spice levels by adjusting taco seasoning or using mild/hot varieties to suit different taste preferences.
- Make the dish gluten-free by ensuring taco seasoning is certified gluten-free and using corn-based cheese.
- Create a lighter version by substituting ground beef with lean ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives.
- Prep potatoes ahead by slicing them thinly and soaking in cold water to prevent browning and ensure even cooking.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 460 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Amanda Bennett
Recipe Curator & Culinary Educator
Expertise
Baking and Pastry Arts, Recipe Testing and Development, Culinary Instruction, Food Styling and Photography
Education
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, Asheville, NC
Diploma in Culinary Arts
Emphasized practical cooking skills, nutrition, and kitchen management.
Cambridge School of Culinary Arts, Cambridge, MA
Certificate in Professional Pastry Arts
Specialized in baking techniques, dessert presentation, and flavor profiling
Amanda’s roots run deep in the Southern hills, where every meal started fresh from the garden and every dessert came with a story. She trained at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College and sharpened her pastry skills at the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts, blending classic technique with everyday charm.
At The Liffey, Amanda’s passion is making baking and home cooking feel natural and joyful. She’s all about single recipes that are simple enough for a busy afternoon, but special enough to make someone’s day a little sweeter.