Description
Mouthwatering taco casserole blends Mexican-inspired flavors with comforting layers of seasoned ground beef, cheese, and crispy tortilla chips. Hearty and satisfying, this simple dish brings zesty southwestern charm to your dinner table with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Meat:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
Canned and Beans:
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 ounces) corn, drained
- 1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained
Cheese, Seasoning, and Extras:
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 bag of tortilla chips
- 0.5 cup sour cream
Optional Toppings:
- Chopped cilantro
- Sliced jalapeños
- Diced avocado
- Extra sour cream
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350°F, preparing a cozy environment for this delectable Mexican-inspired dish.
- In a spacious skillet, brown ground beef with diced onions over medium heat until meat is thoroughly cooked and onions become translucent.
- Enhance the meat mixture by incorporating zesty taco seasoning, juicy diced tomatoes, hearty black beans, and sweet corn kernels, allowing the flavors to meld together for 3-4 minutes.
- Create alternating layers in a rectangular baking dish, starting with a base of crisp tortillas, followed by the savory beef mixture and a generous sprinkle of shredded cheese.
- Continue layering tortillas, beef, and cheese until the dish is filled, ensuring each stratum is evenly distributed.
- Crown the casserole with a final lavish layer of cheese, promising a golden, melted topping.
- Transfer the assembled casserole to the preheated oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes, watching for the cheese to transform into a bubbling, appetizing surface.
- Once removed from the oven, allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes, which helps the layers settle and makes serving easier.
- Garnish with optional toppings like tangy sour cream, creamy guacamole, or spicy sliced jalapeños to personalize your culinary creation.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter, healthier alternative that still packs incredible flavor.
- Customize heat levels by choosing mild, medium, or spicy taco seasoning to match your family’s taste preferences.
- Enhance nutritional value by adding extra vegetables like bell peppers or spinach into the beef mixture for more vitamins and texture.
- Use corn tortillas instead of flour for a gluten-free version that maintains the authentic Mexican-inspired taste of this comforting casserole.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 463 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg