Description
This easy and cheesy taco casserole has all the flavors of classic tacos in a baked, layered dish—perfect for a family dinner or meal prep. It’s packed with seasoned ground beef, layers of tortillas, melty cheese, and your favorite taco toppings!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Taco Filling:
- 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 packet (or 2 tbsp) taco seasoning
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies (Rotel)
- 1 cup frozen or canned corn (drained)
For the Casserole Layers:
- 8 small corn tortillas (or 4 large flour tortillas, cut in halves)
- 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack)
- 1/2 cup sour cream (optional, for layering)
For Toppings (Optional, But Recommended!):
- Diced tomatoes
- Chopped cilantro
- Sliced jalapeños
- Sliced avocado
- Sour cream
- Salsa
Instructions
1. Preheat Oven & Cook the Beef Mixture:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large skillet, cook ground beef and onion over medium heat until browned (5-7 minutes).
- Drain excess grease, then add garlic, taco seasoning, and water. Stir and simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in black beans, diced tomatoes, and corn, then remove from heat.
2. Assemble the Casserole:
- Layer 4 tortillas (or 2 large ones) at the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Spread half of the beef mixture evenly over the tortillas.
- Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheese on top.
- Repeat with another layer of tortillas, beef mixture, and cheese.
- Optional: Add dollops of sour cream between the layers for extra creaminess.
3. Bake Until Golden & Bubbly:
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake another 10 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
4. Garnish & Serve:
- Let the casserole cool for 5-10 minutes before slicing.
- Top with fresh tomatoes, cilantro, jalapeños, sour cream, or avocado.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Want it spicier? Add a chopped jalapeño or a dash of hot sauce to the beef mixture.
- Make it ahead: Assemble the casserole, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.
- Make it vegetarian: Swap ground beef for extra beans or crumbled tofu.
- Make it low-carb: Use low-carb tortillas or layer with zucchini slices instead of tortillas.