This Doritos casserole is a warm, comforting dish that layers crunchy chips, seasoned beef, and melty cheese into a satisfying meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights or cozy family gatherings.
This Dorito Casserole solves issues of blandness and sogginess often found in casseroles while providing flavor and texture that appeals to many palates.
I’ve faced challenges with casseroles that turn mushy or bland, but this recipe is a game-changer. It avoids those issues entirely while keeping flavors bold. Plus, it’s a dish that my family looks forward to, especially the crispy top layer!
What makes this recipe reliable is the thoughtful layering and timing. With just 10 minutes of prep and around 38 minutes in the oven, you’ll have a bubbling casserole ready in under an hour. It truly delivers that delightful crunch, keeping everyone coming back for more.
If you love a hearty meal that’s easy to whip up, check out my recipe for Ground Beef Hash Brown Casserole as well!
Table of contents
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Texture That Satisfies The crunchy Doritos on top create a satisfying contrast to the tender beef and creamy ingredients underneath, giving you a mix of textures that keeps every bite interesting.
- Simple to Prepare In just a little over 50 minutes, you can go from prepping your ingredients to enjoying this hearty dish, making it a great option for weeknight dinners.
- Flexible Ingredients You can easily swap out the beef for ground turkey or even a vegetarian protein to cater to different dietary preferences, providing flexibility for your dinner table.
- Meet Your Comfort Food Cravings This casserole is rich with flavor and loaded with delicious toppings, making it an excellent choice for cozy nights when you want something hearty and comforting.
Crispy Doritos Casserole with Beef and Tomatoes
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cool Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 38 minutes
- Total Time: 53 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
Doritos Casserole with seasoned ground beef, fire-roasted tomatoes, sour cream, and melted Monterey Jack layered over crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ pounds (680 g) lean ground beef
- 1 cup (150 g) finely diced onion, yellow onion
- ½ cup (75 g) finely diced red bell pepper
- 1 (10-ounce / 283 g) can diced tomatoes and chiles, fire-roasted recommended
- 1 cup (240 ml) beef broth
- 1 (1-ounce / 28 g) packet taco seasoning
- 1 cup (240 ml) sour cream, full-fat preferred
- 3 cups (about 336 g) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 (9.25-ounce / 262 g) bag Nacho Cheese Doritos
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (177°C) and allow it to heat fully before baking. Spray a 3-quart or 9 x 13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside. Proper preheating prevents soggy casserole base and ensures even baking.
- Step 2: Cook Ground Beef: Place 1½ pounds (680 g) of lean ground beef into a large skillet over medium heat. Brown the beef, breaking it apart continuously, until no pink remains (about 5-7 minutes). Drain off excess grease to avoid a greasy casserole.
- Step 3: Add Vegetables and Seasoning: Add 1 cup (150 g) finely diced onion and ½ cup (75 g) finely diced red bell pepper to the skillet with the beef. Cook for 3 minutes until softened. Then stir in 1 cup (240 ml) beef broth, 1 (10-ounce/283 g) can diced tomatoes and chiles, 1 (1-ounce/28 g) packet taco seasoning, and 1 cup (240 ml) full-fat sour cream. Simmer the mixture for 2-3 minutes, stirring until it thickens slightly but does not become overly thick.
- Step 4: Prepare Doritos: Without opening the bag, crush the Nacho Cheese Doritos lightly to create pieces that retain some crunch.
- Step 5: Layer Casserole: In the prepared baking dish, spread half of the crushed Doritos evenly on the bottom. Sprinkle half of the 3 cups (336 g) shredded Monterey Jack cheese evenly over the chips to create a sturdy base.
- Step 6: Add Meat Mixture: Evenly spread the meat mixture over the cheese layer, ensuring the filling is distributed well for consistent flavor in every bite.
- Step 7: Top with Doritos and Cheese: Layer the remaining crushed Doritos evenly over the meat mixture. Then sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese evenly on top.
- Step 8: Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. This traps steam and heats the casserole through without drying the edges.
- Step 9: Finish Baking Uncovered: Remove the foil and bake an additional 3-5 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and starting to turn golden brown. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Step 10: Cool Before Serving: Let the casserole rest for about 5 minutes after baking. This cooling step helps the casserole set so slices hold together when served.
Notes
- Storage Tips: Room Temperature: Store cooled casserole in an airtight container away from direct sunlight for up to 2 days. Refrigeration: Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat portions thoroughly before serving. Freezing: Wrap casserole tightly with plastic wrap, place in a freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Expert Tips: Drain excess grease thoroughly after browning beef to prevent sogginess. If casserole looks dry after baking, add 1/4 cup beef broth on top, cover with foil, and bake an additional 5 minutes. To avoid Doritos over-browning, cover dish with foil about 15 minutes into baking. Spread meat mixture evenly to prevent uneven layers and ensure consistent cooking. If cheese does not fully melt, set oven to broil for 2-3 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.
- Reheating Instructions: Heat individual portions thoroughly in a microwave or oven before serving.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve with creamy coleslaw or roasted corn salad for complementary flavors. Add fresh guacamole or a simple taco salad to add crunch and freshness. Top with salsa verde, homemade pico de gallo, fresh cilantro, or a drizzle of sour cream for brightness.
- Recipe Variations: Substitute ground turkey or a vegetarian protein for beef for dietary flexibility. Use sharp cheddar cheese in place of Monterey Jack for a stronger cheese flavor.
- Ingredient Notes: Choose 80/20 lean ground beef for ideal flavor and moisture balance without excess fat. Select fire-roasted canned diced tomatoes without added sugar or preservatives for best taste. Use fresh bags of Nacho Cheese Doritos for optimal crunch; stale chips will not hold up as well. Opt for full-fat sour cream to maintain creamy texture; low-fat options may alter the consistency. Grate fresh cheese rather than using pre-shredded to avoid anti-caking agents that affect melting. Select yellow onions for their sweetness and dice finely for even cooking.
- Nutrition Facts: calories: Not provided; sugar: Not provided; sodium: Not provided; fat: Not provided; saturated_fat: Not provided; unsaturated_fat: Not provided; trans_fat: Not provided; carbohydrates: Not provided; fiber: Not provided; protein: Not provided; cholesterol: Not provided.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: Not provided
- Sugar: Not provided
- Sodium: Not provided
- Fat: Not provided
- Saturated Fat: Not provided
- Unsaturated Fat: Not provided
- Trans Fat: Not provided
- Carbohydrates: Not provided
- Fiber: Not provided
- Protein: Not provided
- Cholesterol: Not provided
Ingredient Notes
- Ground beef: Opt for 80/20 ground beef for the right balance of flavor and moisture. Excess fat isn’t needed here, so don’t go too high!
- Diced tomatoes: Use fire-roasted canned diced tomatoes for extra depth of flavor. Look for brands without added sugar or preservatives for the best taste.
- Doritos: Go for nacho cheese-flavored Doritos to give a signature crunch and flavor. Stale chips won’t hold up as well, so grab a fresh bag!
- Sour cream: Full-fat sour cream adds creaminess and helps bind the ingredients. Low-fat versions can alter the texture, so stick with full-fat for best results!
- Cheddar cheese: Sharp cheddar works well for a strong flavor that complements the dish. Grate it fresh for optimal melting; pre-shredded often includes anti-caking agents that affect texture.
- Onion: Choose a yellow onion for its sweetness and depth. Dice it finely to ensure even cooking and a nice blend with other ingredients.
- Ground beef: Opt for 80/20 ground beef for the right balance of flavor and moisture. Excess fat isn’t needed here, so don’t go too high!
- Diced tomatoes: Use fire-roasted canned diced tomatoes for extra depth of flavor. Look for brands without added sugar or preservatives for the best taste.
- Doritos: Go for nacho cheese-flavored Doritos to give a signature crunch and flavor. Stale chips won’t hold up as well, so grab a fresh bag!
- Sour cream: Full-fat sour cream adds creaminess and helps bind the ingredients. Low-fat versions can alter the texture, so stick with full-fat for best results!
- Cheddar cheese: Sharp cheddar works well for a strong flavor that complements the dish. Grate it fresh for optimal melting; pre-shredded often includes anti-caking agents that affect texture.
- Onion: Choose a yellow onion for its sweetness and depth. Dice it finely to ensure even cooking and a nice blend with other ingredients.
Recipe Tips
- If the meat mixture seems too greasy, drain excess fat off after browning for 5-7 minutes before adding vegetables.
- When the casserole looks dry after baking, add ¼ cup beef broth directly on top, then cover with foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes.
- If the Doritos start to over-brown, cover the casserole with foil 15 minutes into baking to prevent burning while the inside cooks.
- For uneven layers, make sure to spread the meat mixture evenly across the bottom before adding remaining chips and cheese.
- If the cheese doesn’t melt completely, turn the oven to broil for 2-3 minutes at the end of baking, watching carefully to prevent burning.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with a side of creamy coleslaw or roasted corn salad to complement the flavors. Add fresh guacamole or a simple taco salad for extra freshness and crunch.
Use the beef mixture to make stuffed bell peppers or tacos. Add the casserole to nachos or layers of a Mexican lasagna for variety.
Top with salsa verde or homemade pico de gallo for a burst of flavor. Consider garnishing with fresh cilantro or a drizzle of sour cream for brightness.
Recipe variations
- You can use ground turkey instead of beef for a leaner option in the Dorito casserole. Brown 1 ½ pounds ground turkey just as you would beef.
- Add 1 ounce taco seasoning to the meat mixture along with 1 cup beef broth and 1 cup sour cream for classic flavor. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Either Nacho Cheese or Cool Ranch Doritos can be used for different flavor profiles. Lightly crush a 9.25-ounce bag while keeping the bag sealed.
- If preparing for more guests, double all ingredients and bake in a 12 x 16-inch dish. Bake covered for 25 minutes, then uncovered for 5 minutes.
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How to Store?
To keep your Crispy Doritos Casserole with Beef and Tomatoes fresh and delicious, follow these storage tips:
Room Temperature: Place the casserole in an airtight container and keep at room temperature up to 2 days, away from direct sunlight.
Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions thoroughly before serving.
Freezing: Wrap the casserole tightly with plastic wrap, place in a freezer-safe container, and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
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