Introduction
Looking for a crowd-pleasing dinner that combines the beloved flavors of tacos with the comfort of a casserole? This Taco Casserole is your answer! I’ve perfected this recipe to deliver all the Mexican-inspired taste you love while being incredibly simple to prepare. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, or when you’re feeding a hungry family. The best part? You’ll get all the delicious taco flavors in every bite, without the mess of traditional tacos falling apart.
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 packet (1.25 oz) taco seasoning
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 2 cups tortilla chips, slightly crushed
- 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded lettuce
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
Ingredient Tips: Feel free to substitute ground turkey for beef, or use pinto beans instead of black beans. For a spicier version, add a diced jalapeño or use hot taco seasoning.
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it up as it cooks (about 7-8 minutes).
- Add the diced onion and garlic to the meat, cooking until the onion becomes translucent (about 3-4 minutes).
- Stir in the taco seasoning and diced tomatoes. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Mix in the black beans and heat through.
- Layer half of the crushed tortilla chips in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Spread the meat mixture evenly over the chips.
- Sprinkle with half the cheese.
- Add remaining tortilla chips on top and finish with the remaining cheese.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
- Top with shredded lettuce, tomatoes, and sour cream.
Cook Time and Serving Size
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 8
Recipe Notes
– Don’t skip the resting time after baking; it helps the layers set properly.
– Store leftovers without the fresh toppings for best results.
– The bottom layer of chips will soften during baking – this is normal and creates a nice texture.
– To make ahead, prepare the meat mixture and store separately from other ingredients until ready to assemble and bake.
– For extra crunch, add the final layer of tortilla chips during the last 5 minutes of baking.
– If the top starts browning too quickly, cover with foil for the remaining bake time.
Taco Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 packet 1.25 oz taco seasoning
- 1 can 15 oz black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can 14.5 oz diced tomatoes
- 2 cups tortilla chips slightly crushed
- 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded lettuce
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it up as it cooks (about 7-8 minutes).
- Add the diced onion and garlic to the meat, cooking until the onion becomes translucent (about 3-4 minutes).
- Stir in the taco seasoning and diced tomatoes. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Mix in the black beans and heat through.
- Layer half of the crushed tortilla chips in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Spread the meat mixture evenly over the chips.
- Sprinkle with half the cheese.
- Add remaining tortilla chips on top and finish with the remaining cheese.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
- Top with shredded lettuce, tomatoes, and sour cream.
