Description
Mexican-inspired taco casserole delights dinner tables with layers of spicy ground beef, melted cheese, and crispy tortilla edges. Comfort meets zest in this crowd-pleasing dish you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
Vegetables and Legumes:
- 1 can (10 ounces/283 grams) Rotel tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 can (15 ounces/425 grams) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn kernels (canned or frozen)
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1/2 cup salsa
Dairy, Cheese, and Tortillas:
- 8 small flour or corn tortillas, cut into halves or quarters
- 2 cups shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350F (175C) for optimal cooking temperature.
- Pour olive oil into a large skillet and heat over medium flame until shimmering.
- Sauté diced onions until translucent and softened, releasing their aromatic flavors.
- Introduce ground beef to the skillet, breaking it into crumbly pieces and cooking until completely browned.
- Drain any accumulated fat from the meat to ensure a lighter dish.
- Incorporate taco seasoning, Rotel tomatoes, black beans, corn, and salsa into the skillet, blending thoroughly.
- Allow the mixture to simmer for 5 minutes, melding the flavors and creating a rich filling.
- Prepare a 9×13-inch casserole dish by lightly greasing the surface.
- Create the first layer by arranging half of the tortillas across the bottom of the dish.
- Spread an even layer of the prepared beef mixture over the tortillas.
- Generously sprinkle shredded cheese to cover the beef layer completely.
- Repeat the layering process with remaining tortillas, beef mixture, and cheese.
- Cover the casserole with aluminum foil to prevent excessive browning.
- Bake for 25 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the ingredients to heat through.
- Remove the foil and return to the oven for an additional 5-10 minutes until cheese becomes golden and bubbly.
- Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes to set and cool slightly.
- Garnish with a dollop of sour cream and optional toppings like fresh cilantro, diced tomatoes, or sliced avocado.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner or vegetarian version that maintains the same delicious flavor profile.
- Customize heat levels by choosing mild, medium, or spicy taco seasoning and Rotel tomatoes to match personal spice preferences.
- Use corn tortillas instead of flour for a gluten-free alternative that adds a more authentic Mexican texture to the casserole.
- Prepare components ahead of time and assemble just before baking to create a quick weeknight meal that saves precious cooking time.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 455 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg