Taco Casserole
Love flavorful Tex-Mex food? Then you’ll love this easy to make Taco Casserole recipe! This zesty taco bake comes together quickly and is ready to serve in under 45 minutes.
Suitable for Gluten Free diets.
If you’re craving something hearty, cheesy, and downright irresistible for your next taco Tuesday, buckle up because your tastebuds will love this Taco Casserole recipe!
Perfectly seasoned ground beef mingles with corn and beans, all nestled between layers of crunchy Doritos chips. Every bite of this taco bake casserole has crunch and flavor that the whole family will love.
Adding crushed Doritos to this easy taco casserole recipe is an ingenious twist that adds an addictive crunch to every bite. Oh, and did I mention the gooey melted cheese? Yeap, this is truly the stuff taco night dreams are made of.
Whether you’re planning a laid-back gathering with friends or simply want to treat yourself to a comforting meal, this taco casserole is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Just like my Baked Tortellini Casserole and this classic Ravioli Bake Casserole.
So, get ready to savor the blend of zesty flavors and delightful textures in this taco casserole that is sure to transport you to taco heaven. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll keep coming back for more!
Why Make This Taco Casserole Recipe
- It’s Bold and Flavorful – Taco bake brings together the vibrant flavors of Mexican cuisine. Combining well-seasoned ground beef, aromatic spices, and zesty veggies creates a taste sensation that will make your taste buds dance.
- It’s Easy to Make – Taco Casserole is a simple yet impressive dish that requires minimal effort. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends when you want to whip up something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen. Just as easy as this Cheesy Tuna Casserole Recipe.
- Even the Leftovers are Delicious – Like my Baked Mac and Cheese, this casserole gets even better the next day as the flavors meld together. So, if you happen to have leftovers, rejoice! You’ll get to enjoy a delectable meal with even more depth of flavor.
Ingredient Notes
- Olive Oil – If you prefer, you can substitute with vegetable oil or any other cooking spray you choose.
- Ground Beef – Use lean ground beef for less fat. Ground beef provides a hearty and flavorful base for the casserole. You can substitute it with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based alternatives.
- Red Onion – Adds a slightly sweet and tangy flavor to the dish. If you don’t have red onions on hand, you can use yellow or white onions as a substitute.
- Minced Garlic – Infuses the casserole with aromatic and savory notes. If you don’t have fresh garlic, you can use garlic powder as a substitute, although the flavor won’t be as pronounced.
- Ground Cumin – A warm, earthy spice that adds depth and a hint of smokiness.
- Refried Beans – These creamy and flavorful beans add richness and texture to the casserole. If you don’t have refried beans, you can substitute black beans or pinto beans.
- Sweet Corn – Provides a touch of sweetness and a burst of color to the dish. If fresh corn isn’t available, you can use canned corn or frozen corn kernels as a substitute.
- Salsa – Choose your favorite brand of salsa. If you don’t have salsa, you can use fresh tomatoes with some added spices or even a homemade tomato sauce.
- Shredded Cheese – Shredded cheddar cheese is a classic choice for its melting properties and rich flavor. Feel free to use other types of cheese, such as Monterey Jack cheese, Colby, or a Mexican cheese blend for variety.
- Doritos – Use your favortie flavor of Doritos. You can also substitute them with any corn chips or tortilla chips of your choice.
Ready to learn how to make this easy taco casserole recipe? Gather up your ingredients and I will show you…
Handy Tip: Use Good Kitchen Tools!
For the best tools to help make your recipe even easier and more successful, check out my collection of the Best Kitchen Tools on Amazon.
How To Make Taco Casserole
Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F / 180 degrees C.
- In a cast iron skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef using a spatula or wooden spoon to break it into small pieces as you cook ground beef.
- When the beef is cooked, add onion, garlic and cumin to the beef. Stir well before adding the beans, sweet corn and salsa.
- When the beef mixture is hot, remove from the heat and stir in 1 cup of the shredded cheese.
- Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle the bottom of the casserole dish with crushed Doritos. Spread the beef mixture over the Doritos and top with the remaining cheese. Bake uncovered for 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Garnish as desired with lettuce, black olives and onion before serving.
Expert Tips
- Make sure the ground beef is fully cooked until it’s browned and no longer pink. This ensures the ground meat is fully cooked and adds a rich flavor to the casserole.
- Preheat the oven for best results.
- After cooking the ground beef, drain any excess grease to prevent the casserole from becoming greasy or oily.
- Use lean beef for less excess fat.
- Adjust the amount of spices according to your preference for heat and flavor. You can add more or less to suit your taste buds.
- Use a spicy salsa for more heat and a mild salsa for less heat.
- Crush the Doritos right before layering them in the baking dish. This helps them retain their texture during baking.
- Be creative with the toppings. Consider adding sliced jalapeños, diced tomatoes, chopped cilantro, or a dollop of sour cream on top of the casserole before serving. These extras can enhance both the flavor and visual appeal of the dish.
- Cover the baking dish with foil to prevent the cheese from over-browning.
- After removing the baking dish from the oven, allow it to cool for a few minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together and makes it easier to cut and serve.
Delicious Variations
- Make It Vegan – Swap the ground beef for black beans or a plant-based taco meat alternative and use vegan cheese.
- Swap the Seasoning – A great swap for the cumin is taco seasoning. Taco seasoning contains a blend of spices that will give the ground beef mixture a classic beef taco flavor. You can also make your own taco seasoning at home by combining chili powder, cayenne pepper and cumin.
- Swap the Doritos – Use any flavor of Doritos or use plain tortilla chips.
- Make it Tex Mex – Love tex mex recipes? the addition of diced bell pepper, green chilies, and chipotle will add tex mex flavors to any Mexican food.
- Swap the Meat – Use ground chicken or turkey instead of ground beef. You can also use shredded chicken, beef or pork.
- Top it Off – Top the casserole with your favorite toppings such as shredded lettuce, tomato, jalapenos, sour cream, pico de gallo, salsa con queso, diced green onions, black olives, and more.
Prep And Storage
- Prep Ahead – Cook the meat filling in advance. Layer the casserole just before baking.
- Store – Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Yiu can easily use these storage containers.
- Freeze –Cool completely and wrap tightly before freezing for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the oven.
FAQs
Yes, Taco Casserole can be prepared in advance. You can assemble the casserole and refrigerate it, covered, for up to 24 hours before baking. This makes it a convenient option for meal prepping or entertaining. Just remember to adjust the baking time accordingly, as the casserole will be cold when placed in the oven.
Prepping in advance can cause the Doritos to become soggy. If you prefer, prepare the meat mixture in advance and assemble the casserole just before baking.
There are several ways to make Taco Casserole a bit healthier. Opt for lean ground beef or substitute it with ground turkey or chicken. You can also replace half the cheese with reduced-fat cheese or a use reduced-fat Mexican cheese blend.
Another way to make this a more healthy casserole dish is by increasing the vegetable content. Add more chopped veggies like bell peppers, spinach, green chilies, and diced tomatoes. Additionally, consider using baked tortilla chips or whole grain tortilla chips instead of Doritos for a lighter crunch.
The spiciness of this casserole is adjustable depending on the type of salsa and Doritos you choose. If you prefer a milder flavor, use mild salsa and plain tortilla chips. On the other hand, if you enjoy extra heat, you can use a spicier salsa and spicy Doritos.
More Recipes You May Like
For even more great taco flavors, check out these recipes;
- Taco Lasagna made in the Air Fryer.
- Taco Pasta Salad a great meal prep solution.
- Instant Pot Chicken Tacos which is loved by the whole family.
What To Serve Taco Casserole
- A side of warm flour tortillas or corn tortillas is a must!
- Instant Pot Mexican Rice.
- Mexican Cheese Dip made in the Air Fryer.
- Jalapeno Strawberry Margarita.
Recommended Tools
- An awesome skillet for easy cooking.
- For the best tools to help make your recipe even easier and more successful, check out my collection of the Best Kitchen Tools on Amazon.
Thank you for reading my Doritos Casserole recipe post. And please come visit again as I continue to slice, dice, and dream up affordable Air Fryer recipes, Instant Pot Recipes, Southern Recipes, and more. Thanks for supporting Recipes from a Pantry, food blog.
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Taco Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound (453g) lean ground beef
- 1 small red onion chopped
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- ¾ teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 cup (260g) refried beans
- ½ cup (82g) sweet corn
- 8.9 ounces (254g) salsa 1 jar
- 2 cups (220g) cheddar cheese
- 2 cups (100g) Doritos crushed
Optional Garnish
- Lettuce cut into ribbons
- Sliced olives
- Chopped onion
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F / 180 degrees C.
- In a cast iron skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef using a spatula or wooden spoon to break it into small pieces as it cooks.
- When the beef is cooked, add onion, garlic and cumin to the beef. Stir well before adding the refried beans, sweet corn and salsa.
- When the beef mixture is hot, remove from the heat and stir in 1 cup of the cheese.
- Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle the bottom of the dish with crushed doritos. Spread the beef mixture over the doritos and top with the remaining cheese. Bake for 15 minutes or until the cheese melts. Garnish as desired with lettuce, olives and onion before serving.
Video
Notes
- Make sure the ground beef is fully cooked until it’s browned and no longer pink. This ensures the meat is fully cooked and adds a rich flavor to the casserole.
- After cooking the ground beef, drain any excess grease to prevent the casserole from becoming greasy or oily.
- Use lean beef for less excess fat.
- Adjust the amount of spices according to your preference for heat and flavor. You can add more or less to suit your taste buds.
- Use a spicy salsa for more heat and a mild salsa for less heat.
- Crush the Doritos right before layering them in the casserole. This helps them retain their texture during baking.
- Be creative with the toppings. Consider adding sliced jalapeños, diced tomatoes, chopped cilantro, or a dollop of sour cream on top of the casserole before serving. These extras can enhance both the flavor and visual appeal of the dish.
- After removing the casserole from the oven, allow it to cool for a few minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together and makes it easier to cut and serve.
- Storage – keep leftovers in an airtight container inside the fridge for 3 days.
