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Taco Casserole Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 55 reviews

This Taco Casserole is a flavorful and hearty dish combining seasoned ground beef, black beans, corn, salsa, and melted cheddar cheese over a crunchy tortilla chip base. Topped with fresh vegetables and creamy sour cream, this casserole offers a delicious twist on classic taco flavors baked to perfection.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Vegetables

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1/2 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 14 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 12 oz can corn, drained

Spices and Seasonings

  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin

Base and Cheese

  • 2 cups crushed tortilla chips
  • 1 15.5 oz jar salsa (your favorite kind)
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided

Toppings (optional but recommended)

  • Grape tomatoes, halved
  • Chopped scallions
  • Chopped avocado or guacamole
  • Sliced olives
  • Chopped lettuce or mixed greens
  • Chopped cilantro
  • Sour cream or low-fat sour cream or Greek yogurt

Instructions

  1. Prepare beef and onions: Preheat oven to 350°F and heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and chopped onion, breaking up the meat. Cook for about 5 minutes until the beef is browned and onions are softened.
  2. Add spices: Stir in chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and ground cumin. Continue cooking for another 5 minutes to let the flavors meld.
  3. Prepare casserole base: While beef cooks, cover a 9×13 casserole dish with crushed tortilla chips to create a crunchy foundation.
  4. Combine beef mixture: Drain excess liquids from the skillet. Add black beans, corn, salsa, and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese to the beef mixture. Stir well until evenly combined.
  5. Assemble casserole: Spread the beef and bean mixture evenly over the tortilla chip base in the casserole dish. Level the surface.
  6. Add cheese topping: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the beef layer.
  7. Bake: Place casserole in preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
  8. Add toppings and serve: Remove from oven and top with desired fresh toppings such as grape tomatoes, scallions, avocado, olives, lettuce, cilantro, and a dollop of sour cream before serving.

Notes

  • You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner meat option or use a plant-based substitute to make it vegetarian.
  • Use smoked paprika for a deeper smoky flavor, but regular paprika works fine if unavailable.
  • Crushed cornflakes or breadcrumbs can replace tortilla chips if needed.
  • For a lower-fat topping, use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.
  • Mix and match toppings based on your preference for flavor and texture variety.
  • Ensure to drain excess liquid from cooked beef to avoid soggy casserole.

Keywords: Taco Casserole, Ground Beef Casserole, Mexican Casserole, Cheesy Taco Bake, Easy Dinner

Find it online: https://tastybella.com/taco-casserole-recipe/