Description
Mexican-inspired cheesy taco casserole delivers comfort with ground beef, melted cheese, and crispy tortilla layers. Hearty flavors blend perfectly for family dinners you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
Dairy and Cheese:
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Optional: sour cream
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 can black beans (drained)
- 1 cup crushed tortilla chips
Toppings:
- chopped lettuce
- diced tomatoes
- jalapenos
Instructions
- Heat the oven to a steady 350F (175C), ensuring an even warming environment for the casserole.
- Using a large skillet, cook ground beef over medium heat until it transforms into a rich, golden-brown color, carefully draining excess fat to maintain a lean texture.
- Enhance the beef’s flavor profile by incorporating taco seasoning and salsa, stirring thoroughly and allowing the mixture to simmer and meld together for approximately 5 minutes.
- Transfer the seasoned beef mixture into a prepared baking dish, creating an even foundational layer that promises robust flavor.
- Distribute black beans across the beef layer, providing additional protein and textural contrast.
- Generously blanket the beans and meat with shredded cheddar cheese, ensuring complete coverage for maximum melting potential.
- Crush tortilla chips into rustic fragments and sprinkle them atop the cheese layer, adding a delightful crunch and traditional taco-inspired element.
- Place the assembled casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, watching for the cheese to transform into a bubbling, golden landscape.
- Once removed from the oven, adorn with preferred taco accompaniments like diced tomatoes, sour cream, or chopped cilantro before serving.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a healthier, leaner protein option that keeps the dish’s robust flavor profile.
- Customize heat levels by selecting mild, medium, or spicy salsa to match personal taste preferences and dietary sensitivity.
- Prepare casserole ahead of time and refrigerate before baking, which helps meld flavors and makes weeknight dinner planning easier.
- For gluten-free version, use corn tortilla chips and verify taco seasoning mix doesn’t contain wheat-based additives, ensuring everyone can enjoy this crowd-pleasing meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 510 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg