If you’re craving a dish that brings the festive flavors of a taco night into the wonderfully comforting form of a baked casserole, this Taco Casserole Recipe is your new best friend. With layers of seasoned ground beef, vibrant peppers, melty Mexican cheese, and crunchy tortilla chips, it’s a crowd-pleaser for any weeknight dinner or casual gathering. Each forkful bursts with familiar, cozy tastes enhanced by fresh toppings that elevate this casserole to something truly special and crave-worthy.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is the first step toward creating this delicious Taco Casserole Recipe. Each component plays a vital role in balancing flavor, texture, and color, transforming simple staples into a festive, layered masterpiece that’s as enjoyable to make as it is to eat.
- Vegetable oil: Helps sauté the vegetables and brown the ground beef evenly for rich flavor.
- Bell peppers: Add sweetness and a satisfying crunch with their bright, colorful presence.
- Yellow onion: Brings a subtle sweetness that deepens the overall flavor base.
- Poblano pepper: Provides a mild heat and earthy tone that complements the beef.
- Garlic cloves: Give an aromatic boost that’s essential in authentic Mexican-inspired dishes.
- Lean ground beef: The protein star, seasoned perfectly to carry the taco flavors throughout the casserole.
- Taco seasoning packet: A quick and flavorful way to infuse the dish with that classic taco spice blend.
- Diced tomatoes and green chiles: Add moisture, a little zing, and a touch of heat that brightens up the mix.
- Black beans: Bring creamy texture and extra protein, making the dish hearty and filling.
- Corn kernels: Sweet bursts of freshness that contrast beautifully with the savory layers.
- Kosher salt: Enhances all the flavors without overpowering.
- Nonstick cooking spray: Ensures the casserole layer doesn’t stick to the dish and helps create a nice crust.
- Round tortilla chips: The foundation for layering, adding crunch and traditional taco vibes.
- Shredded Mexican-style cheese blend: Melts to gooey perfection, uniting the layers with creamy richness.
- Shredded lettuce: A fresh, crisp topping that lightens the dish.
- Pico de gallo: Adds a bright, zesty finishing touch with fresh tomato, onion, and cilantro.
- Avocado: Creamy and cooling, it’s a heavenly contrast to the warm casserole.
- Cilantro: Sprinkled on top for herbal brightness.
- Sour cream: Offers a tangy creaminess that perfectly rounds out the flavors.
- Sliced black olives: Add a salty, briny hint to complement the cheesy layers.
- Hot sauce: For those who want to dial up the heat and flavor.
How to Make Taco Casserole Recipe
Step 1: Preparing the Vegetable and Beef Mixture
Start by heating vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the sliced bell peppers, onions, poblano pepper, and chopped garlic, cooking them until soft and fragrant, which usually takes around 10 to 12 minutes. This step builds a flavorful aromatic base. Then, add the ground beef and taco seasoning to the pot, breaking the meat apart and cooking it until browned for about 6 to 8 minutes. After the meat is cooked through, stir in the mild diced tomatoes with green chiles, black beans, corn, and kosher salt to bring together all those flavors in one hearty mixture. Cook this for another couple of minutes to meld everything perfectly before removing from heat.
Step 2: Layering the Casserole
Lightly grease a 13-by-9-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Begin by arranging tortilla chips in a slightly overlapping single layer on the bottom of the dish—this crunchy layer will become the delicious base of your Taco Casserole Recipe. Spread about half of the beef and vegetable mixture evenly over the chips, then sprinkle half of your shredded Mexican cheese blend across the top. Repeat this layering sequence one more time, finishing with cheese on top. This layered structure ensures every bite has a perfect balance of crispy chips, savory meat, and melted cheese.
Step 3: Baking and Cooling
Place the casserole in a preheated oven at 375°F and bake for 16 to 20 minutes until the cheese has melted and started to brown slightly. This baking step is what transforms this dish from simple ingredients into a hot, bubbling, golden masterpiece. Once out of the oven, allow the casserole to rest and cool for about 10 minutes, which helps it set so it’s easier to slice and serve without falling apart.
How to Serve Taco Casserole Recipe
Garnishes
The toppings really bring this dish to life. Pile on shredded lettuce for crunch and freshness, spoon over pico de gallo for a zesty pop of tomato and onion, and add creamy slices of avocado for a rich balance. Sprinkle chopped cilantro for herbaceous brightness, dollop sour cream for tang, scatter sliced black olives for briny depth, and offer hot sauce on the side for anyone who loves an extra kick. Each garnish invites everyone to customize their plate and enjoy the casserole just the way they like.
Side Dishes
While this Taco Casserole Recipe is quite filling on its own, pairing it with simple sides can be wonderful. A fresh green salad dressed with lime vinaigrette, or a side of Spanish rice, can complement the meal nicely without overshadowing the casserole’s bold flavors. For a casual spread, serve with extra tortilla chips perfect for scooping up any casserole leftovers.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties or family dinners, serve the casserole in individual ramekins or small skillets for an elevated presentation. You can also layer the casserole in clear glass dishes to show off the colorful strata of chips, seasoned beef, beans, corn, and melted cheese. Adding colorful bowls of garnishes around the table encourages a fun DIY taco bar vibe that’s interactive and festive.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After enjoying this Taco Casserole Recipe, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should stay fresh for up to 3 days, making for quick and delicious next-day meals. The flavors continue to develop as it rests, which is a nice bonus for leftovers.
Freezing
If you want to prepare the casserole in advance, you can assemble it completely but hold off on baking. Wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. When you’re ready, thaw it in the fridge overnight before baking as directed. This makes the Taco Casserole Recipe a fantastic option for meal prepping or busy nights.
Reheating
To reheat, pop individual portions in the microwave or reheat the whole casserole in a 350°F oven until warmed through and the cheese is bubbly again. Adding a few fresh toppings after reheating will brighten the dish back up, so don’t skip the garnishes!
FAQs
Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef?
Absolutely! Ground turkey or chicken are great lean alternatives that work beautifully. Just make sure to cook the meat thoroughly and adjust seasoning to your taste, as these meats can be milder than beef.
Is there a vegetarian version of this Taco Casserole Recipe?
Yes! Simply omit the ground beef and add extra beans, corn, and chopped veggies like zucchini or mushrooms. You can also try plant-based meat alternatives to keep the texture similar to the original.
How spicy is this dish?
This casserole has a mild to moderate heat level thanks to the poblano pepper and diced green chiles. If you prefer more spice, you can add jalapeños or a splash of your favorite hot sauce when serving.
Can I prepare this dish ahead of time for a party?
Definitely. You can assemble it the day before and refrigerate it, then bake right before guests arrive. This makes hosting so much easier and ensures the flavors meld wonderfully.
What’s the best way to keep the tortilla chips from getting soggy?
Layering the casserole as instructed and allowing it to cool before serving helps maintain a bit of crunch. Also, saving extra chips for serving alongside ensures you always have that perfect crisp texture on the side.
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for a dish that’s bursting with flavor, texture, and that unmistakable comfort food feeling, this Taco Casserole Recipe is just what you need in your recipe rotation. It’s simple to make, endlessly customizable, and always a hit whether for weeknight dinners or casual entertaining. Trust me, once you try this casserole, it’s going to become one of your go-to favorites to swoon over and share around the table.
Print
Taco Casserole Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
Description
This hearty Taco Casserole combines seasoned ground beef, vibrant vegetables, black beans, corn, and melty Mexican cheese layered over crispy tortilla chips. Baked to bubbly perfection, it’s topped with fresh lettuce, pico de gallo, avocado, and other classic garnishes for a comforting and flavorful meal perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tbsp. vegetable oil
- 2 red and/or yellow bell peppers, stemmed, seeded and thinly sliced
- 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 1 poblano pepper, stemmed, seeded and chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 1/2 lb. lean ground beef
- 1 (1-oz.) packet taco seasoning
- 1 (10-oz.) can mild diced tomatoes and green chiles, drained
- 1 (15-oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn kernels, fresh or frozen
- 1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
Assembly
- Nonstick cooking spray
- 1 (13-oz.) bag round tortilla chips, plus more for serving
- 1 (8-oz.) bag shredded Mexican-style cheese blend
Toppings
- Shredded lettuce
- Pico de gallo
- Avocado
- Cilantro, chopped
- Sour cream
- Sliced black olives
- Hot sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook the vegetables and beef: In a large Dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add bell peppers, onion, poblano pepper, and garlic. Stir occasionally and cook until softened, about 10 to 12 minutes. Add the lean ground beef and taco seasoning. Break the beef into small crumbles and cook until browned, about 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in diced tomatoes with green chiles, black beans, corn, and kosher salt. Cook, stirring occasionally for 2 minutes, then remove from heat.
- Assemble the casserole: Lightly grease a 13-by-9-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Lay tortilla chips in a slightly overlapping single layer covering the bottom (about 35 chips). Evenly spread half of the ground beef mixture over the chips, then sprinkle half of the shredded cheese on top. Repeat these layers once, finishing with cheese as the topmost layer. Reserve any remaining chips to serve alongside.
- Bake the casserole: Place the assembled dish into the preheated oven. Bake for 16 to 20 minutes until the cheese is melted and starts to brown slightly on the edges. Once baked, allow the casserole to cool for 10 minutes before serving.
- Add toppings and serve: Top the casserole with shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, avocado slices, chopped cilantro, sour cream, sliced black olives, and hot sauce to taste. Serve immediately with extra tortilla chips on the side for scooping.
Notes
- For a spicier dish, use a hot taco seasoning or add jalapeños to the vegetables.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for lean ground beef for a lighter option.
- If fresh bell peppers are not available, frozen sliced peppers can be used.
- Letting the casserole sit for 10 minutes after baking helps it set and makes serving easier.
- Customize toppings according to your preferences or dietary restrictions.
