Taco Casserole Recipe

This Taco Casserole Recipe is loaded with all of your Mexican favorites and topped with Doritos, Fritos, or Tortilla Chips! It’s easy to assemble days ahead of time and bake later for an easy dinner!

I’ve been on a casserole kick lately, especially ones that you can make ahead of time. It’s amazing how much easier your life becomes when you do a little meal prep ahead of time.

The fact that you can assemble this up to 2 days ahead of time is really handy. And the ingredients are really easy to customize.

This Crock pot allows you to sear/brown meat right on the stove top. It also switches to warm once the cooking time is up.

Note that Crock Pots vary in terms on how quickly they heat up and how hot they get.

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Taco Casserole

This Taco Casserole Recipe is loaded with all of your Mexican favorites and topped with Doritos, Fritos, or Tortilla Chips! It’s easy to assemble days ahead of time and bake later for an easy dinner!

Prep: 10min

Total: 40min

Serving Size: 1 serving

Nutrition Facts: calories 547 kcal, Carbohydrate 24 g, Protein 28 g, Fat 38 g, Saturated Fat 18 g, Cholesterol 108 mg, Sodium 1273 mg, Fiber 5 g, Sugar 5 g, servingSize 1 serving

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. ground beef (I use 80% lean)
• 1 small yellow onion (diced)
• 1 oz. taco seasoning (equivalent to 2 Tablespoons)
• 16 oz. refried beans
• ¾ cup sour cream (*see notes)
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• ¼ cup black olives (sliced)
• ¾ cup crunchy toppings such as tortilla chips (Doritos, and/or Fritos)
• Green onions ((optional))
• 1/3 cup lettuce (shredded)
• 1/3 cup tomatoes (diced)

Instruction:

1. {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Let the sour cream come to room temperature while you prepare the meat. This will prevent it from curdling when baked as it won’t be going from cold to hot right away.’, ‘name’: ‘Let the sour cream come to room temperature while you prepare the meat. This will prevent it from curdling when baked as it won’t be going from cold to hot right away.’, ‘url’: ‘https://thecozycook.com/taco-casserole/#wprm-recipe-27616-step-0-0’}
2. {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Preheat oven to 350 degrees.’, ‘name’: ‘Preheat oven to 350 degrees.’, ‘url’: ‘https://thecozycook.com/taco-casserole/#wprm-recipe-27616-step-0-1’}
3. {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Add the ground beef and diced onions to a large pan and cook and crumble over medium heat until the meat is cooked through.’, ‘name’: ‘Add the ground beef and diced onions to a large pan and cook and crumble over medium heat until the meat is cooked through.’, ‘url’: ‘https://thecozycook.com/taco-casserole/#wprm-recipe-27616-step-0-2’}
4. {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Drain excess grease.’, ‘name’: ‘Drain excess grease.’, ‘url’: ‘https://thecozycook.com/taco-casserole/#wprm-recipe-27616-step-0-3’}
5. {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Add ¾ cup water and taco seasoning. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Let it cool for 8-10 minutes.’, ‘name’: ‘Add ¾ cup water and taco seasoning. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Let it cool for 8-10 minutes.’, ‘url’: ‘https://thecozycook.com/taco-casserole/#wprm-recipe-27616-step-0-4’}
6. {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Spread the refried beans in an even layer in a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish.’, ‘name’: ‘Spread the refried beans in an even layer in a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish.’, ‘url’: ‘https://thecozycook.com/taco-casserole/#wprm-recipe-27616-step-0-5’}
7. {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Spread the sour cream over the refried beans, followed by the slightly cooled beef, then the cheese.’, ‘name’: ‘Spread the sour cream over the refried beans, followed by the slightly cooled beef, then the cheese.’, ‘url’: ‘https://thecozycook.com/taco-casserole/#wprm-recipe-27616-step-0-6’}
8. {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘If you’re preparing this head of time, let it cool and cover and refrigerate until ready to bake.’, ‘name’: ‘If you’re preparing this head of time, let it cool and cover and refrigerate until ready to bake.’, ‘url’: ‘https://thecozycook.com/taco-casserole/#wprm-recipe-27616-step-0-7’}
9. {‘@type’: ‘HowToSection’, ‘name’: ‘Baking:’, ‘itemListElement’: [{‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘If baking right away: Bake, uncovered, for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is hot and melted.’, ‘name’: ‘If baking right away: Bake, uncovered, for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is hot and melted.’, ‘url’: ‘https://thecozycook.com/taco-casserole/#wprm-recipe-27616-step-1-0’}, {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘If baking after the casserole has been refrigerated: Bake, covered, for 25 minutes. Remove the cover and bake for an additional 5 minutes.’, ‘name’: ‘If baking after the casserole has been refrigerated: Bake, covered, for 25 minutes. Remove the cover and bake for an additional 5 minutes.’, ‘url’: ‘https://thecozycook.com/taco-casserole/#wprm-recipe-27616-step-1-1’}]}
10. {‘@type’: ‘HowToSection’, ‘name’: ‘Add the toppings:’, ‘itemListElement’: [{‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Top the casserole with black olives and crunchy toppings. (Add additional cheese if you like as well.)’, ‘name’: ‘Top the casserole with black olives and crunchy toppings. (Add additional cheese if you like as well.)’, ‘url’: ‘https://thecozycook.com/taco-casserole/#wprm-recipe-27616-step-2-0’}, {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Bake uncovered for 8 minutes.’, ‘name’: ‘Bake uncovered for 8 minutes.’, ‘url’: ‘https://thecozycook.com/taco-casserole/#wprm-recipe-27616-step-2-1’}, {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Garnish with green onions, diced tomatoes, and/or shredded lettuce and serve!’, ‘name’: ‘Garnish with green onions, diced tomatoes, and/or shredded lettuce and serve!’, ‘url’: ‘https://thecozycook.com/taco-casserole/#wprm-recipe-27616-step-2-2’}]}

Easy Taco Casserole

This easy taco casserole recipe gives you all the yumminess of a taco in one convenient dish. It’s perfect for busy weeknights and great for kids.

Prep: 15min

Total: 50min

Yield: 6

Nutrition Facts: calories 482 cal

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 cup salsa
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 2 cups crushed tortilla chips, divided
• 4 ounces shredded Cheddar cheese, divided
• 4 ounces shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided

Instruction:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175°C) and lightly grease a 2-quart casserole dish with cooking spray.
2. Chop the onion into small pieces and shred the cheese. Set aside.
3. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the beef. Stir frequently until browned and crumbly, around five to seven minutes.
4. Drain and discard any excess liquid when the beef is no longer pink. Then add the salsa, diced onion, mayonnaise, chili powder, and cumin, and stir to combine.
5. Remove the skillet from the heat and spread half of the mixture over the bottom of the baking dish.
6. Top the meat with half of the chips, followed by half of the shredded cheese.
7. Repeat the layers once more, starting with the beef mixture and ending with the other half of the cheese.
8. Cover the dish with aluminum foil, and bake for about 30 minutes, until the cheese has melted and is bubbling at the sides.
9. Serve with a dollop of guacamole and the toppings of your choice.

Beef Tortilla Taco Casserole

This cheesy Mexican-inspired taco casserole is a simple freezer-friendly dinner you can make ahead of time and heat up later. This recipe also includes freezing and defrosting instructions for those busy weeknights. Whether you make this beef taco casserole for dinner tonight or prep it now for a time-saving freezer meal, you’re guaranteed to have delicious results.

Prep: 30min

Total: 1h15min

Yield: 8

Serving Size: 1 Serving

Nutrition Facts: calories 350 , Carbohydrate 29 g, Cholesterol 60 mg, Fat 0 , Fiber 3 g, Protein 20 g, Saturated Fat 9 g, servingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 990 mg, Sugar 5 g, Trans Fat 1/2 g

Ingredients:

• 1 lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef
• 1 package (1 oz) Old El Paso™ 25% less sodium taco seasoning mix
• 2/3 cup water
• 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch strips
• 2 3/4 cups Old El Paso™ Thick ‘n Chunky salsa
• 1 package (12 oz) frozen whole kernel sweet corn
• 6 Old El Paso™ flour tortillas for soft tacos & fajitas (6 inch)
• 2 cups shredded Colby-Monterey Jack cheese blend (8 oz)

Instruction:

1. Heat oven to 350°F. In 12-inch skillet, cook beef over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly cooked; drain. Stir in taco seasoning mix, water and bell pepper strips. Simmer 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until thickened. Stir in salsa and corn.
2. Spray 13×9-inch (3-quart) baking dish with cooking spray. Cut tortillas in half; place 6 tortilla halves in bottom of baking dish.
3. Top with half of beef mixture (about 3 1/2 cups). Sprinkle with 3/4 cup of the cheese and remaining tortilla halves. Top with remaining beef mixture and cheese.
4. Spray piece of foil large enough to cover baking dish with cooking spray. Cover baking dish with foil sprayed side down. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until heated through and cheese is melted.
5. To Make Ahead:Wrap foil-covered casserole in double layer of plastic wrap; label and freeze up to 3 months. To thaw and bake:Thaw overnight or until completely thawed in refrigerator. Remove plastic wrap. Bake 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes or until center is hot (165°F) and cheese is melted. To bake from freezer (no thawing):Heat oven to 350°F. Remove plastic. Bake 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes or until center is hot (165°F) and cheese is melted.

Taco Casserole

Taco casserole includes all of the best taco ingredients—seasoned beef, tortilla chips, cheese and all the toppings—in one baking dish.

Prep: 30min

Total: 55min

Yield: 6 – 8 serving(s)

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp. vegetable oil
• 2 red and/or yellow bell peppers, stemmed, seeded and thinly sliced
• 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 1 poblano pepper, stemmed, seeded and chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 1/2 lb. lean ground beef
• 1 1-oz. packet taco seasoning
• 1 10-oz. can mild diced tomatoes and green chiles (such as Rotel), drained
• 1 15-oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 c. corn kernels, fresh or frozen
• 1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• Nonstick cooking spray
• 1 13-oz. bag round tortilla chips, plus more for serving
• 1 8-oz. bag shredded Mexican-style cheese blend
• Shredded lettuce
• Pico de gallo
• Avocado
• Cilantro, chopped
• Sour cream
• Sliced black olives
• Hot sauce

Instruction:

1. For the casserole: Preheat the oven to 375°. Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the bell pepper, onion, poblano, and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, 10 to 12 minutes. Add the ground beef and taco seasoning packet. Cook, stirring often to break into small crumbles, until browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the canned tomatoes and green chiles, black beans, corn, and salt, and cook, stirring occasionally, until well combined, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat.
2. Lightly grease a 13-by-9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Arrange tortilla chips in a slightly overlapping single layer in the bottom of the baking dish (about 35 chips in a layer). Top with about half of the ground beef mixture in an even layer. Sprinkle evenly with half of the cheese. Repeat layers once, ending with cheese on top. Reserve remaining chips for serving.
3. Bake the casserole in the preheated oven until the cheese is melted and beginning to brown on top, 16 to 20 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes before topping and serving.
4. To serve: Top with shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, avocado, cilantro, sour cream, black olives, and/or hot sauce, if you like. Serve alongside extra, crunchy tortilla chips.

How to make Ground Beef Taco Casserole That everyone will LOVE!!!