Description
Hearty Easy Taco Casserole brings Mexican-inspired comfort to dinner tables across North America. Layers of seasoned ground beef, tortillas, and melted cheese create a satisfying meal packed with bold flavors you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
Vegetables and Beans:
- 1 can (15 ounces/425 grams) black beans, drained
- 1 can (15 ounces/425 grams) corn, drained
- 1 can (10 ounces/283 grams) diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
Seasonings and Toppings:
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 2 cups (226 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
- 3 cups (75 grams) tortilla chips, crushed
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) sour cream (optional for topping)
- Sliced green onions (optional for topping)
- Chopped cilantro (optional for topping)
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350F (175C) to prepare for the casserole assembly.
- Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, carefully draining any accumulated fat.
- Incorporate taco seasoning into the meat, then fold in black beans, corn, and diced tomatoes with green chilies. Allow mixture to simmer and meld flavors for 5 minutes.
- Create a crunchy base layer by spreading half of the crushed tortilla chips across the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Distribute the seasoned beef mixture evenly over the chip foundation, creating a robust filling layer.
- Generously sprinkle the first portion of shredded cheese across the beef mixture.
- Complete the casserole by adding the remaining tortilla chips as a crispy top layer.
- Scatter the final cheese portion over the chips, ensuring complete coverage.
- Transfer the assembled casserole to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese melts completely and edges become golden and bubbly.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 2-3 minutes before serving.
- Garnish with optional toppings like sour cream, chopped green onions, and fresh cilantro for added flavor and visual appeal.
Notes
- Customize the spice level by adjusting the taco seasoning or using mild green chilies for a kid-friendly version.
- Transform into a gluten-free dish by using corn tortilla chips and checking that all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter, more diet-friendly alternative that maintains the same delicious flavor profile.
- Prep ahead by assembling the casserole earlier in the day and refrigerating, then bake when ready to serve for maximum convenience and minimal last-minute cooking stress.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 503 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 660 mg
- Fat: 29 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg