Taco CasserIngredients Recipe
This hearty and flavorful Taco Casserole combines seasoned ground beef, black beans, corn, salsa, and melted cheddar cheese atop a crunchy base of crushed tortilla chips. Topped with fresh vegetables and creamy sour cream, it’s a comforting all-in-one dish perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.
- Author: Maya
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner, Casserole
- Method: Baking, Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
- Diet: Low Salt
Main Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1/2 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 2 cups tortilla chips, crushed
- 1 14 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 12 oz can corn, drained
- 1 15.5 oz jar salsa, your favorite kind
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded and divided
Toppings
- Grape tomatoes, halved
- Scallions, chopped
- Avocado, chopped
- Olives, sliced
- Lettuce, chopped
- Cilantro, chopped
- Sour cream
- Preheat and prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease or prepare a 9×13 inch casserole dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook beef and onions: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it apart with a spoon. Add the chopped yellow onion and stir. Cook for about 5 minutes until the beef is browned and onion is softened.
- Add spices: Sprinkle in chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and ground cumin. Stir well to evenly coat the meat with the seasonings. Cook for an additional 5 minutes to develop flavors.
- Layer tortilla chips: While the beef cooks, spread the crushed tortilla chips evenly across the bottom of the prepared casserole dish.
- Mix the filling: Once the beef mixture is cooked, drain any excess liquid from the skillet. Add black beans, corn, salsa, and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese to the skillet. Stir well and warm until the cheese begins to melt.
- Assemble the casserole: Pour the warm beef mixture evenly over the crushed tortilla chips in the casserole dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly on top.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and bubbling on the sides.
- Add toppings and serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and top with halved grape tomatoes, chopped scallions, diced avocado, sliced olives, chopped lettuce, chopped cilantro, and spoonfuls of sour cream. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option.
- Adjust seasoning amounts to taste if you prefer it milder or spicier.
- Use gluten-free tortilla chips to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for 2-3 days and reheat nicely.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute the beef with cooked lentils or extra beans and omit meat.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (14 oz)
- Calories: 557 kcal
- Sugar: 7.3 g
- Sodium: 1325 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16.4 g
- Trans Fat: 0.9 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 11 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 89 mg
Keywords: taco casserole, ground beef casserole, Mexican casserole, easy dinner recipes, cheesy casserole, tortilla chip casserole