Description
Mexican-inspired taco casserole delivers hearty comfort with layers of seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, and crisp tortilla chips. Simple preparation makes this dish perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings you’ll want to enjoy repeatedly.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Meat
- 1 pound (454 g) lean ground beef
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Base and Additional Ingredients
- 2 cups crushed Doritos (Nacho Cheese flavor)
- 1 14-ounce (396 g) can black beans, drained & rinsed
- 1 12-ounce (340 g) can corn, drained
- 1 15.5-ounce (440 g) jar salsa
- 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend or cheddar, divided
Optional Toppings
- Tomatoes
- Cilantro
- Scallions
- Avocado
- Black olives
- Sour cream
- Lettuce
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and position the rack in the center for even cooking.
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes, crumbling the meat into small pieces as it cooks.
- Add diced onions and taco seasonings to the beef, continuing to cook and stir for an additional 4-5 minutes until the onions are translucent and fragrant.
- Drain any excess grease from the beef mixture to prevent a soggy casserole.
- Create a crunchy base by spreading crushed Doritos evenly across the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Combine the seasoned beef with black beans, corn, and salsa, stirring in half of the shredded cheese until slightly melted and well incorporated.
- Carefully spread the beef and vegetable mixture over the Doritos layer, ensuring even coverage.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top of the casserole, creating a golden, melty surface.
- Bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and the casserole is heated through.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving with optional toppings like sour cream, chopped cilantro, or sliced jalapeños.
Notes
- Crunch Control Use stale or slightly crushed Doritos for better texture and preventing soggy bottom layer.
- Protein Swap Easily substitute ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based meat alternatives for different dietary preferences.
- Spice Spectrum Adjust seasoning intensity by using mild or hot salsa, or adding extra chili powder and cumin for bolder flavor profile.
- Make-Ahead Magic Prepare casserole up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve for convenient meal planning.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg