Description
Hearty Cheesy Taco Casserole delivers maximum flavor in one comforting Mexican-inspired dish. Layers of seasoned ground beef, tortillas, and melted cheese create a simple weeknight meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 2 cups tortilla chips
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (4 ounces) green chilies
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans
Toppings and Extras:
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup salsa
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350F (175C) and prepare a baking dish with a light coating of cooking spray.
- In a skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, stirring frequently and breaking into small crumbles.
- Sprinkle taco seasoning over the meat, stirring to ensure even distribution and allowing flavors to meld for 2-3 minutes.
- Create the first layer of the casserole by spreading a uniform base of tortilla chips across the bottom of the baking dish.
- Distribute the seasoned ground beef evenly over the tortilla chip layer, creating a robust meat foundation.
- Spread black beans across the meat layer, ensuring consistent coverage.
- Scatter diced tomatoes over the black beans, adding moisture and fresh flavor to the casserole.
- Generously sprinkle shredded cheese over the tomato layer, creating a rich and gooey texture.
- Repeat the layering process with another set of tortilla chips, meat, beans, tomatoes, and cheese.
- Top the final layer with a generous coating of cheese, ensuring complete coverage.
- Transfer the casserole to the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and edges are golden brown.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes to allow flavors to settle.
- Garnish with dollops of sour cream, fresh salsa, and chopped green chilies before serving hot.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with plant-based crumbles or shredded chicken for dietary variety and protein alternatives.
- Crush tortilla chips more finely to create a more compact and cohesive casserole base that holds together better.
- Use low-fat cheese and Greek yogurt instead of sour cream to reduce overall calorie content while maintaining creamy texture.
- Prepare casserole ahead of time and refrigerate overnight, allowing flavors to meld and making weeknight dinner preparation faster and easier.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg