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