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Easy Taco Casserole with Tortillas Recipe

Easy Taco Casserole with Tortillas Recipe


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4.6 from 9 reviews

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Mexican-inspired Taco Casserole brings layers of spicy ground beef, melted cheese, and crisp tortillas together in one comforting dish. Hearty ingredients combine for a crowd-pleasing meal you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Protein:

  • 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef

Produce and Aromatics:

  • 1/4 cup (59 milliliters) chopped cilantro (optional for garnish)
  • 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil

Canned and Pantry Ingredients:

  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • 1 can (10 ounces / 284 grams) diced tomatoes with green chilies
  • 1 can (15 ounces / 425 grams) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup (240 milliliters / 170 grams) corn kernels
  • 1 cup (240 milliliters / 250 grams) salsa
  • 8 small flour or corn tortillas, cut into quarters
  • 2 cups (480 milliliters / 226 grams) shredded Mexican blend cheese
  • 1 cup (240 milliliters / 227 grams) sour cream (optional)
  • 1/4 cup (59 milliliters / 40 grams) sliced black olives (optional)

Instructions

  1. Warm the oven to 350F (175C) to prepare for baking.
  2. Sizzle olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, then introduce ground beef and crumble while cooking until thoroughly browned. Eliminate excess grease.
  3. Incorporate taco seasoning, diced tomatoes, black beans, and corn into the meat, stirring and simmering for 3-4 minutes until ingredients meld together.
  4. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish and create the first foundation layer using half of the tortilla pieces, followed by spreading half of the seasoned beef mixture.
  5. Distribute half the salsa evenly across the beef layer, then sprinkle a generous layer of cheese.
  6. Construct a second identical layer with remaining tortillas, beef mixture, salsa, and cheese, creating a hearty casserole structure.
  7. Transfer the assembled casserole to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese transforms into a molten, golden blanket.
  8. Extract from oven and allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes, enabling flavors to settle and texture to stabilize.
  9. Enhance the dish with optional garnishes like creamy sour cream, fresh cilantro, and briny black olives before serving.

Notes

  • Swap ground beef with lean turkey or plant-based crumbles for a healthier protein option that reduces saturated fat and calories.
  • Use whole wheat or corn tortillas to increase fiber content and create a gluten-free version of the casserole.
  • Layer ingredients carefully to ensure even distribution of flavors and prevent soggy tortilla bottoms by lightly toasting tortilla pieces before assembling.
  • Prep ingredients ahead of time and assemble the casserole quickly for a convenient weeknight meal that can be refrigerated and baked later.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 460 kcal
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 720 mg
  • Fat: 27 g
  • Saturated Fat: 11 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 29 g
  • Fiber: 7 g
  • Protein: 27 g
  • Cholesterol: 65 mg