Taco casserole is a hearty dish that layers all the flavors of taco night into a comforting bake. With crispy tortilla chips, seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, and colorful toppings, it’s a family favorite that’s easy to whip up on busy weeknights.
This taco casserole addresses issues of texture, blandness, and cooking time, offering an easy, family-friendly meal solution that everyone enjoys.
I love how this easy taco casserole recipe delivers big flavor without all the fuss. Honestly, I’ve had days when I forgot to thaw the meat, so I simply cooked it up from frozen. It turned out just fine! The melted cheese and crunchy chips cool just slightly as I dish it out, creating a cozy and inviting meal.
This recipe is great because it comes together in about 40 minutes, which is perfect for those evenings when everyone’s starving. Plus, using frozen corn and canned beans means less prep time, making it simple to create a satisfying meal.
If you want another taco-inspired dish, check out my Taco Tortilla Roll for a fresh twist!
Table of contents
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Layer of Crunch , The crushed tortilla chips provide an exciting crunch that contrasts wonderfully with the hearty beef and melted cheese, making each bite enjoyable.
- Flavorful Spice Blend , A generous amount of taco seasoning infuses the beef with savory heat and depth, capturing that classic taco flavor everyone loves.
- Easy Assembly , With just a few layers, putting this taco casserole together is quick and straightforward, allowing you to serve a hot meal with minimal fuss.
- Great for Leftovers , This dish holds up well in the fridge, so it’s ideal for meal prepping or ready-made lunches as the flavors deepen with time.
Layered Taco Casserole for Family Meals
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cool Time: 0 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
Layered taco casserole with seasoned beef, black beans, corn, crushed tortilla chips and melted cheddar, an easy low-fat baked family meal ready in 40 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
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- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 1½ pounds (680 g) lean ground beef (preferably 80/20 for juiciness, drained after browning)
- 1 cup (240 ml) tomato sauce
- ¼ cup (60 ml) water (optional, to adjust moisture)
- 3 tablespoons (about 22 g) taco seasoning (homemade blend or store-bought)
- 2 cups (300 g) frozen corn kernels, rinsed and drained
- 1 (15-ounce/425 g) can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 2 cups (about 60 g) crushed sturdy tortilla chips (avoid flavored chips for balance)
- 2 cups (about 180 g) shredded cheddar cheese (mix sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack, freshly grated recommended)
- Optional toppings as desired: sliced black olives, diced tomatoes, sour cream (full-fat recommended or Greek yogurt as substitute), diced avocado, chopped cilantro, shredded lettuce, sliced green onions
Instructions
- Step 1: Sauté Ground Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the ground beef. Cook until the meat is nicely browned and no longer pink, breaking it into bite-sized pieces as it cooks. Drain excess fat to prevent greasiness. If browning unevenly, cook meat in batches no more than 1 pound (455 g) at a time to avoid steaming, about 10 minutes per batch.
- Step 2: Add Seasonings Next: Sprinkle taco seasoning evenly over the cooked beef and stir thoroughly to coat all bits. This infuses the beef with classic taco flavors.
- Step 3: Stir in Tomato Sauce: Pour in tomato sauce and mix well with the beef. Add corn kernels and rinsed black beans, stirring to combine. Add ¼ cup (60 ml) water here if the mixture seems dry, otherwise omit this step. Simmer the mixture for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Step 4: Layer Tortilla Chips: Spread crushed tortilla chips evenly at the bottom of the 9×13 inch baking dish. Distribute uniformly to form a crunchy base layer for the casserole.
- Step 5: Add Beef Mixture: Spoon the beef, bean, and corn mixture evenly over the tortilla chips, making sure the layer is level for even cooking and flavor distribution.
- Step 6: Top with Cheese: Generously sprinkle shredded cheese over the beef mixture. Using freshly grated cheese helps it melt evenly and develop a creamy texture while baking.
- Step 7: Bake to Perfection: Place the casserole into a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) and bake for 18–20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and slightly golden. Watch closely for bubbling as an indicator of readiness. For preventing burnt cheese, cover the dish with foil for the last 5 minutes if needed.
- Step 8: Serve & Garnish: Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly before serving. Garnish with chosen toppings such as diced tomatoes, sour cream, avocado slices, cilantro, and green onions for freshness and color.
Notes
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- Room Temperature: Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Avoid leaving out longer to prevent spoilage.
- Refrigeration: Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat thoroughly before serving to preserve texture and safety.
- Freezing: Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Use 80/20 ground beef for the best balance of juiciness and flavor; leaner beef tends to dry the casserole out.
- Cook ground beef in batches not exceeding 1 pound (455 g) at a time to avoid steaming instead of browning.
- Choose sturdy restaurant-style tortilla chips over flavored varieties; they hold up better and do not overpower the casserole’s flavor.
- Rinse canned black beans thoroughly to reduce sodium and remove the canned flavor.
- Freshly grate cheese for superior melting and texture; pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that affect melt quality.
- If casserole appears dry after baking, add an additional ¼ cup (60 ml) of water or salsa immediately after removing from the oven to restore moisture.
- For soggy tortilla chips, layer them on top of the cheese layer before baking to maintain crunch.
- Cover with foil if cheese browns too fast to prevent burning while allowing thorough melting.
- Reheat refrigerated casserole in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through, approximately 15–20 minutes. Cover with foil if reheating longer to prevent cheese drying out. Alternatively, reheat individual portions in the microwave until hot.
- Serve with a crisp green salad dressed with lime vinaigrette or roasted vegetables for added color and nutrition.
- Pair with Spanish rice or additional black beans to complement the rich flavors.
- Top servings with sliced avocado, fresh salsa, or a dollop of Greek yogurt for creamy contrast. Add chopped cilantro or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for extra flavor complexity.
- Vegetarian: Omit ground beef and substitute with extra black beans or cooked lentils for protein.
- Gluten-Free: Use certified gluten-free tortilla chips and verify all seasonings are gluten-free.
- Dairy-Free: Replace cheddar cheese with dairy-free cheese alternatives and omit sour cream or substitute with coconut yogurt.
- Ground Beef: Select 80/20 ground beef for moisture and flavor; drain rendered fat after cooking to avoid greasiness.
- Taco Seasoning: Mix chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and other spices to make a homemade blend, controlling spice level. Store extras in an airtight container.
- Tortilla Chips: Prefer thick, sturdy restaurant-style chips; avoid flavored varieties that may overpower the dish.
- Black Beans: Use low-sodium canned beans, rinsed thoroughly, to reduce excess salt and canned taste.
- Cheese: A blend of sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack yields rich taste and excellent meltability. Freshly grate cheese from blocks whenever possible.
- Sour Cream and Greek Yogurt: Full-fat sour cream offers creamy richness; Greek yogurt can be used as a tangy lower-fat substitute.
- Green Onions and Fresh Herbs: Add chopped green onions and cilantro just before serving to preserve their fresh flavor and crunch.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx.)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Ingredient Notes
- Ground beef: Use 80/20 ground beef for juicy layers. Leaner beef can dry out the casserole. Make sure to drain excess fat after browning for the best texture.
- Taco seasoning: A homemade taco seasoning lets you control flavors and spice levels. For a quick mix, combine chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder. Store any extra for later!
- Tortilla chips: Opt for sturdy tortilla chips that won’t get soggy. Look for restaurant-style chips as they hold up better in layers. Avoid flavored chips that can overpower the dish.
- Black beans: Canned low-sodium black beans make your casserole heartier and add protein. Rinse them well to reduce sodium and enhance flavor without the canny taste.
- Shredded cheese: Use a mix of sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack for rich flavor and melty goodness. Grate your own cheese for better texture, it melts more evenly than pre-shredded.
- Sour cream: This adds creaminess and balances spices. Opt for full-fat sour cream for the best flavor. For a lighter option, Greek yogurt works as a substitute without losing tanginess.
- Green onions: Fresh green onions add a nice crunch and color. Look for bright green tops. Chop them just before serving to keep the oniony freshness!
- Ground beef: Use 80/20 ground beef for juicy layers. Leaner beef can dry out the casserole. Make sure to drain excess fat after browning for the best texture.
- Taco seasoning: A homemade taco seasoning lets you control flavors and spice levels. For a quick mix, combine chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder. Store any extra for later!
- Tortilla chips: Opt for sturdy tortilla chips that won’t get soggy. Look for restaurant-style chips as they hold up better in layers. Avoid flavored chips that can overpower the dish.
- Black beans: Canned low-sodium black beans make your casserole heartier and add protein. Rinse them well to reduce sodium and enhance flavor without the canny taste.
- Shredded cheese: Use a mix of sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack for rich flavor and melty goodness. Grate your own cheese for better texture, it melts more evenly than pre-shredded.
- Sour cream: This adds creaminess and balances spices. Opt for full-fat sour cream for the best flavor. For a lighter option, Greek yogurt works as a substitute without losing tanginess.
- Green onions: Fresh green onions add a nice crunch and color. Look for bright green tops. Chop them just before serving to keep the oniony freshness!
Recipe Tips
- If meat is browning unevenly, cook it in batches, adding no more than 1 pound at a time to avoid steaming, which takes about 10 minutes.
- When the casserole looks dry, add an extra ¼ cup of water or salsa immediately after removing it from the oven to keep it moist.
- For burnt cheese on top, cover the dish with foil for the last 5 minutes of baking to prevent over-browning while ensuring the cheese melts.
- If your tortilla chips are soggy, layer them on top after the beef mixture and cheese; this will provide better crunch, especially during baking.
- When using frozen corn, give it a quick rinse and drain it before adding to the mix; this avoids excess water affecting the casserole’s texture.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with a fresh side salad dressed with lime vinaigrette or roasted vegetables for added color and nutrients. Pair with black beans or Spanish rice for a hearty meal that complements the flavors.
Use to make taco bowls or stuffed bell peppers for a different twist. Add to enchiladas or prepare as a filling for burritos for a tasty variation.
Top with sliced avocado, fresh salsa, or a dollop of Greek yogurt for a creamy finish. Include chopped cilantro or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for an extra burst of flavor.
Recipe variations
- You can use lean ground turkey or chicken instead of beef for a lighter taco casserole. Both options work well with the same seasoning and layering method.
- Add 3 tablespoons of taco seasoning as the base spice; adjust with ½ teaspoon cumin or chili powder for a slightly different taco flavor profile.
- Either canned black beans or pinto beans can be used to add protein and fiber. Rinsing beans before use helps control moisture in the casserole.
- If cooking for more than eight, double the recipe using a 9×13-inch baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes, ensuring cheese melts evenly throughout layers.
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How to Store?
To keep your layered taco casserole for family meals fresh and delicious, follow these storage tips:
Room Temperature: Place in an airtight container; keep at room temperature up to 2 days. Avoid leaving out longer to prevent spoilage.
Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat thoroughly before serving to maintain texture.
Freezing: Wrap tightly in plastic wrap then place in a freezer container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
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