🌮 Easy Cheesy Taco Casserole: Dinner Done in One Dish
Looking for a weeknight hero? This Easy Cheesy Taco Casserole delivers all the bold, savory flavors of taco night without the messy assembly. It’s a simple, comforting, one-dish bake that the entire family will love. Forget the individual taco shells—this is dinner, deconstructed, and absolutely dripping with melted cheese!
✨ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- One-Dish Wonder: Minimal cleanup makes this perfect for busy weeknights.
- Crowd-Pleaser: It has all the familiar, delicious flavors of your favorite tacos.
- Customizable: Easily swap the meat, beans, and toppings to suit any dietary need or taste preference.
- Freezer-Friendly: Great for meal prep or feeding a crowd!
🍽️ Easy Cheesy Taco Casserole Recipe
This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients to create a hearty and flavorful casserole base, topped with that essential melty cheese!
Ingredients
| Category | Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
| Meat | Ground Beef (lean) | 1 pound | Or substitute ground turkey or chicken. |
| Aromatics | Onion (diced) | 1/2 medium | |
| Garlic (minced) | 2 cloves | ||
| Seasoning | Taco Seasoning | 1 packet (about 2 Tbsp) | Use store-bought or your favorite homemade blend. |
| Sauce/Liquid | Salsa (mild or medium) | 1 cup (about 8 oz) | Choose your favorite chunky or smooth salsa. |
| Water or Beef Broth | 1/2 cup | Helps bind the filling. | |
| Mix-ins | Black Beans (drained and rinsed) | 1 (15 oz) can | Kidney beans or pinto beans also work. |
| Corn (drained) | 1 (15 oz) can or 1 cup frozen | Canned or frozen (no need to thaw). | |
| Layers | Tortilla Chips (crushed) | 1 cup | Use a sturdy chip like Nacho Cheese Doritos or thick-style tortilla chips. |
| Topping | Shredded Mexican Cheese Blend | 2 cups (divided) | Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Colby Jack are also excellent. |
Instructions
Step 1: Prep & Preheat
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch casserole dish.
Step 2: Cook the Meat
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion until the meat is fully browned and the onion is soft (about 6-8 minutes).
Tip: Use a wooden spoon or a meat chopper to break up the beef as it cooks.
Step 3: Season the Filling
Drain off any excess grease from the skillet. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the taco seasoning and cook for another minute.
Step 4: Combine the Base
Stir in the salsa, water/broth, black beans, and corn. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the liquid to slightly reduce. Remove from heat.
Step 5: Assemble the Casserole
- Bottom Layer: Scatter the 1 cup of crushed tortilla chips evenly over the bottom of your prepared casserole dish.
- Meat Layer: Pour the seasoned meat mixture over the chips, spreading it out evenly with a spatula.
- Cheese Layer: Sprinkle 1 cup of the shredded cheese over the top of the meat mixture.
Step 6: Bake and Finish
Bake the casserole, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted, bubbly, and the filling is heated through.
Remove the casserole from the oven. If desired, sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese on top and return to the oven for a final 5 minutes or until this top layer of cheese is melted and gooey.
Step 7: Serve
Let the casserole stand for 5-10 minutes to set before slicing and serving. Top with your favorite taco fixings!
👩🍳 Tips for Success
- Prevent Soggy Chips: Using a sturdy, thick tortilla chip (like a restaurant-style chip) helps prevent them from becoming too soft. You can also skip the chips entirely, or add a layer of soft corn or flour tortillas instead.
- Increase the Heat: Want a spicier kick? Use a hot salsa, or stir in a small can of diced green chiles or a pinch of cayenne pepper with the taco seasoning.
- Cheesy Layers: For extra oomph, you can layer the cheese throughout the casserole (e.g., chips, half meat, half cheese, remaining meat, remaining cheese) instead of just topping it.
🌶️ Topping & Serving Suggestions
The best part of any taco dish is the toppings! Set out a toppings bar so everyone can customize their serving.
| Classic Toppings | Fresh & Flavorful | Hearty Sides |
| Sour Cream or Plain Greek Yogurt | Diced Avocado or Guacamole | Refried Beans |
| Shredded Lettuce (Iceberg or Romaine) | Cilantro (freshly chopped) | Mexican Rice or Spanish Rice |
| Diced Tomatoes or Pico de Gallo | Sliced Black Olives | A simple side salad |
| Sliced Jalapeños (pickled or fresh) | Diced Red Onion or Scallions |
Make-Ahead & Storage
- Make-Ahead: Cook the meat filling completely and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When ready to bake, place the chips in the dish, top with the cold meat mixture, add the cheese, and bake until hot and bubbly (you may need to add 5-10 minutes to the cook time).
- Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
What's your favorite taco topping? Let us know in the comments below!
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