Sizzling Taco Casserole With Tortillas Recipe: Fiesta In A Dish

Whipping up a delectable taco casserole with tortillas promises pure comfort on busy weeknights.

Layers of savory ingredients create a mouthwatering meal that satisfies deep hunger pangs.

Crisp tortillas nestled between seasoned meat and melted cheese bring excitement to your dinner table.

Spices dance through each bite, promising bold flavors that feel like a culinary adventure.

Mexican-inspired cooking doesn’t get easier than this simple yet impressive dish.

Cheese lovers and taco enthusiasts will adore how quickly this casserole comes together.

You’ll want to make extra servings because everyone will be asking for seconds.

Taco Casserole With Tortillas for Busy Nights

• Savor Quick Comfort: This Cattle Drive Casserole delivers a hearty meal that comes together faster than traditional complex dishes, perfect for busy families craving a satisfying dinner.
• Embrace One-Pot Simplicity: Prepare everything in a single skillet before baking, minimizing kitchen cleanup and reducing the number of dishes you'll need to wash afterward.
• Create Budget-Friendly Goodness: Using affordable ingredients like ground beef, pasta, and canned tomatoes makes this recipe wallet-friendly while still providing a delicious and filling meal that feeds multiple people.
• Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients or add extra spices to suit individual taste preferences, making this casserole adaptable for different palates and dietary needs.

Ingredients for Taco Casserole With Tortillas

• Ground Beef: A flavorful protein base that provides the hearty foundation of the taco casserole.
• Tortillas: Soft corn or flour tortillas that create delicious layers and add a traditional Mexican touch to the dish.
• Cheese: Melts beautifully to create a creamy and golden topping that binds the casserole together.

• Taco Seasoning: A zesty blend of spices that gives the dish its classic taco flavor profile.
• Black Beans: Adds protein, texture, and a rich, earthy flavor to the casserole.
• Corn: Provides a sweet and crunchy element to complement the savory beef.
• Diced Tomatoes: Brings moisture and a bright, tangy taste to the meat mixture.

• Salsa, Sour Cream, Additional Toppings: Fresh additions that allow for personalization and add extra flavor and texture to the finished dish.

Easy Taco Casserole With Tortillas Steps

Step 1: Fire Up The Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 Celsius) and get ready for a flavor explosion.

Step 2: Brown The Beef

Toss ground beef into a sizzling skillet and cook over medium heat until it transforms into a rich, golden brown.

Drain away any extra fat to keep things light.

Step 3: Create The Spicy Beef Base

• Taco seasoning
• Black beans
• Corn kernels
• Diced tomatoes

Stir everything together and let the mixture simmer and mingle for 5 minutes, developing deep, mouthwatering flavors.

Step 4: Build The Delicious Layers

• Spread tortillas across the bottom
• Spoon a generous layer of beef mixture
• Sprinkle a blanket of cheese

Step 5: Repeat And Stack

Continue layering tortillas, beef, and cheese until you’ve used all ingredients. Make sure the top layer is a gorgeous cheese covering.

Step 6: Bake To Perfection

Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. Watch for the cheese to become bubbly and turn a beautiful golden color.

Step 7: Dress And Garnish

• Fresh salsa
• Creamy sour cream
• Any additional toppings you love

Step 8: Serve And Devour

Dish out while warm and get ready for a taste sensation that’ll make everyone at the table cheer!

Get the Most from Taco Casserole With Tortillas

• Use lean ground beef or turkey to reduce fat content without sacrificing flavor.
• Swap corn tortillas for gluten-free options to accommodate dietary restrictions.
• Drain canned beans and vegetables thoroughly to prevent excess liquid in the casserole.
• Experiment with different cheese blends like pepper jack or Mexican mix for varied taste profiles.
• Add fresh chopped cilantro or green onions on top for a burst of freshness and color before serving.

Tasty Twists for Taco Casserole With Tortillas

• Chicken Fiesta Casserole: Replace ground beef with shredded rotisserie chicken for a lighter protein option. Add green chiles and use pepper jack cheese for extra zest.
• Vegetarian Bean Bake: Swap ground beef with black bean and quinoa mix. Include bell peppers and zucchini for added nutrients and texture. Use vegetable broth for extra flavor.
• Spicy Chorizo Layered Dish: Substitute ground beef with crumbled Mexican chorizo sausage. Add diced jalapeños and use a blend of cheddar and queso fresco for a spicier kick.
• Southwest Breakfast Casserole: Transform the recipe by adding scrambled eggs between layers. Include crispy bacon bits and use hash browns instead of tortillas for a morning-friendly version.

Taco Casserole With Tortillas for Crowd Pleasing

• Fiesta Family Dinner Night
• Gather everyone around the table for a fun, interactive meal. Let each person customize their casserole slice with favorite toppings like fresh cilantro, sliced jalapeños, or extra salsa.
• Game Night Comfort Companion
• Perfect for movie marathons or board game evenings. Cut into smaller squares for easy finger food that keeps everyone satisfied during entertainment time.
• Potluck Party Showstopper
• Transport this crowd-pleasing dish to neighborhood gatherings or friend meetups. Prepare ahead and reheat, ensuring a delicious contribution that will have everyone asking for the recipe.
• Meal Prep Champion
• Store leftovers in individual containers for quick lunches during the week. Reheat in microwave for a speedy, satisfying meal that tastes just as good as the first serving.

How to Save Taco Casserole With Tortillas

• Store leftover taco casserole in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Seal tightly to prevent moisture and maintain freshness.
• Transfer cooled casserole to a freezer-safe dish, cover with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Label with the date for easy tracking.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Warm in the oven at 350F for 15-20 minutes, or microwave individual portions for 2-3 minutes until heated through. Add fresh cheese on top for extra flavor.
• Separate portions before storing to make reheating easier and prevent multiple thawing and refreezing cycles that can reduce food quality.

FAQs

• Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Yes, ground turkey is a great lean alternative that works perfectly in this taco casserole recipe. Simply cook it the same way as ground beef and follow the rest of the instructions.

• How spicy is this casserole?

The recipe’s spice level depends on the taco seasoning you use. For mild flavor, choose a regular taco seasoning. If you want more heat, select a spicy version or add jalapeños to increase the kick.

• Is this dish kid-friendly?

Absolutely! The casserole is a crowd-pleaser for children because of its cheesy, layered texture and familiar taco flavors. Kids typically enjoy the combination of tortillas, meat, and melted cheese.

Taco Casserole With Tortillas Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Mexican taco casserole blends hearty layers of ground beef, cheese, and crispy tortillas into a comforting one-dish meal. Zesty spices and melted cheese create a crowd-pleasing dinner perfect for family gatherings and quick weeknight meals.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (480 ml) shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 lb (454 g) ground beef
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1 cup (240 ml) salsa
• 8 small flour tortillas
• 1 can (15 oz/425 g) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (14.5 oz/411 g) diced tomatoes (with green chilies if preferred)
• 1 cup (240 ml) corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) sour cream
• Sliced olives (optional)
• Green onions (optional)
• Cilantro (optional)
• Avocado (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 350F (175C) and prepare a greased baking dish for layering.
2. Cook ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until completely browned, carefully draining any excess fat.
3. Incorporate taco seasoning into the meat, stirring thoroughly to distribute spices evenly.
4. Mix black beans, corn, and diced tomatoes into the seasoned beef, allowing the mixture to simmer and meld flavors for approximately 5 minutes.
5. Create the first foundation layer by placing tortillas across the bottom of the baking dish, ensuring complete coverage.
6. Spread a generous portion of the beef and vegetable mixture directly over the tortilla base.
7. Sprinkle a consistent layer of cheese across the beef mixture, creating a rich and melty surface.
8. Repeat the layering process of tortillas, beef mixture, and cheese until all ingredients are utilized, ensuring the final top layer is covered with cheese.
9. Transfer the assembled casserole to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese transforms into a golden, bubbling crust.
10. Remove from oven and allow to rest for 3-5 minutes to set and cool slightly.
11. Garnish with fresh salsa, dollops of sour cream, and optional additional toppings before serving warm.

Notes

• Choose lean ground beef to reduce overall fat content and create a healthier version of this hearty casserole.
• Break tortillas into smaller pieces for more even layer distribution and easier serving.
• Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or black beans for a vegetarian-friendly option that maintains protein levels.
• Add fresh chopped jalapeños or green chiles for an extra kick of spice and flavor complexity without overwhelming the dish.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 550 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 780 mg
• Fat: 35 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 7 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg