Description
Mexican Taco Casserole brings layers of savory flavor to family dinner tables. Hearty ingredients and simple preparation make this dish a crowd-pleasing meal you’ll want to add to your recipe collection.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
Tortillas and Base:
- 8 corn tortillas
- 1 cup salsa
Toppings and Extras:
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1/2 cup black beans
- 1/2 cup corn
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 green onions, chopped
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350F (175C) for optimal cooking temperature.
- In a skillet, cook ground beef until thoroughly browned and crumbly, then incorporate taco seasoning and salsa, creating a robust meat mixture.
- Arrange a single layer of tortillas as the foundation in a casserole dish, ensuring complete bottom coverage.
- Spread a generous portion of the seasoned beef mixture evenly across the tortilla base.
- Sprinkle a uniform layer of shredded cheese over the beef to ensure complete coverage.
- Repeat the layering process: additional tortillas, meat mixture, and cheese until ingredients are exhausted, typically creating 2-3 layers.
- Place the assembled casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, watching for melted and slightly golden cheese.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 3-5 minutes to allow layers to set and stabilize.
- Garnish with optional toppings like sour cream, chopped green onions, or fresh cilantro before serving.
- Slice into portions and serve warm for maximum flavor and texture enjoyment.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner or vegetarian version that maintains the same delicious flavor profile.
- Customize heat levels by choosing mild, medium, or spicy salsa and taco seasoning to suit different taste preferences.
- Corn tortillas can replace flour tortillas for a gluten-free option that adds a slightly more authentic Mexican texture and taste.
- Layer ingredients strategically to ensure even distribution of flavors, preventing dry spots and creating a harmonious bite with every serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg