Taco Casserole
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
15 mins
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Total Time
30 mins
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Servings
6 servings
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Mexican
Taco Casserole
Description
Taco Casserole features a base of crushed corn chips topped with a mixture of refried beans, salsa, and half the cheese to create a hearty layer. Seasoned ground beef, cooked with taco seasoning, is spread over the beans before adding the remaining cheese. Baking briefly melts the cheese while maintaining the crunch of the chips underneath.
The combination balances creamy bean and salsa warmth with the savory, spiced beef and crispy chip texture, all enhanced by the melty cheese layer. Fresh toppings like sour cream, black olives, diced tomato, and shredded lettuce bring brightness and varied textures when added at serving.
This casserole is practical for preparing in advance, freezing, or doubling for larger groups. Its layers provide easy customization by topping with preferred fresh ingredients. It can stand alone as a filling main dish or be paired with simple sides like rice or salad if desired.
To keep the corn chips crunchy, it’s best to add them at the base before layering warm ingredients. When baking from cold after refrigeration, the bake time will be longer to ensure even heating through the layers.
Ingredients
Taco Casserole
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 taco seasoning standard size package
- 15 oz refried beans
- 2 cups cheese divided (Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, Cheddar or Mexican Blend, grated
- 1 cup mild salsa
- 2 cups corn chips lightly crushed, brand Fritos
Toppings
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup black olive sliced
- 1 cup tomato cut
- 1 cup Fritos chips shredded cheese could also be used for this
- 1 cup lettuce shredded
Instructions
Taco Casserole
- Preheat oven to 375 F.
- Cook ground beef until browned and fully cooked. Add taco seasoning according to the directions on the package.
- While ground beef is cooking, place crushed Fritos into the bottom of an 8x8 baking dish.
- Cook refried beans, combined with salsa and 1 cup of the cheese, until hot. This can be done on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- Spread bean mixture over the Fritos in the baking pan.
- Spread ground beef mixture over the beans.
- Sprinkle remaining 1 cup of cheese over the beef mixture.
- Bake for approximately 15 minutes as all ingredients are already cooked and hot, you are primarily just melting your cheese.
- Remove from oven and serve with assorted toppings
Notes
- Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
- This recipe can be easily doubled in a larger baking dish for more servings.
- Prepare the casserole ahead of time and bake when ready to serve; allow extra baking time if starting from cold.
- Leftover servings reheat well in the microwave; add fresh corn chips on top for a crunchy texture.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 393kcal | 20% |
| Carbohydrates | 13g | 4% |
| Protein | 30g | 60% |
| Fat | 24g | 37% |
| Saturated Fat | 14g | 70% |
| Cholesterol | 106mg | 35% |
| Sodium | 1055mg | 44% |
| Potassium | 476mg | 10% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 887IU | 18% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 358mg | 36% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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