Save this Easy Taco Casserole Recipe, it's a stand by favorite on busy nights and everyone loves to add their own favorite toppings. Which means even the picky eater loves this recipe too!
Adapted from Savory Experiments Taco Bake Casserole
This easy Taco Casserole recipe is made with layers of crunchy tortilla chips, well-seasoned ground beef, onion, garlic, and gooey cheese, topped with tangy sour cream, fresh tomatoes, and all your other favorite toppings!
Using all the best taco flavors, it's basically your favorite tacos in casserole form. As a mom, I love when I can layer up a recipe and feed the family quickly. Don't you?
It's super easy to put together, simply cook the beef, assemble the casserole in layers, and bake to perfection!
It's a great alternative to Beef Tacos for Taco Tuesday, and I have no doubt it'll quickly become a family favorite.
For more easy weeknight meals, check out my Chicken and Broccoli Casserole, this Sweetie Pies Mac and Cheese, and my Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Casserole.
Ingredients Needed for Easy Taco Casserole
- Beef. Use a lean Ground Geef for the best flavor. You can use another ground meat if you like.
- Vegetables. Use a White or Yellow Onion, freshly minced Garlic Cloves, and Diced Tomatoes with Chilies for a savory Mexican flavor.
- Broth. Beef broth will enhance the beef flavor in this casserole. Use beef stock in a pinch.
- Seasoning. You can find Taco Seasoning at your local grocery store, or you can make homemade taco seasoning if you prefer. Use freshly chopped Cilantro Leaves in the meat mixture and as a garnish.
- Sour Cream. Adds a cool tang and a bit of creaminess to the meat. Also, serve the casserole with some sour cream on the side.
- Cheese. I chose to use Cheddar Cheese for this casserole, but you can use your favorite melty cheese.
- Tortilla Chips. Regular Tortilla Chips are fine for the base of this casserole to add a bit of a crunch, you can use Corn Chips if you prefer.
How to Make Easy Taco Casserole
Preheat the oven to 350 F Degrees. Lightly grease a 9x13 casserole dish with baking spray.
In a large skillet, brown the Ground Beef with diced Onions and Garlic. Drain off excess fat or liquid.
Add the Diced Tomatoes with Chilis, fresh Cilantro, and Taco Seasoning. Mix to combine ingredients together and heat through.
Add 1 cup of shredded Cheese and Sour Cream to the mixture, and heat until hot and bubbly
Lightly crush Tortilla Chips and place half in the bottom of the baking dish
Layer half of the ground beef mixture on top of the crushed chips.
Top with half of the remaining cheese.
Repeat with a second layer starting with crushed tortilla chips, and ending with the remaining cheese.
Bake at 350 F Degrees for 20-25 minutes or until the top is melted and the casserole is hot.
Remove from oven and allow to sit for 5 minutes before serving with your favorite toppings. This helps to set the casserole for easy serving.
Storage & Freezing
Store: Store leftovers in an airtight container or covered in plastic wrap for up to a week in the refrigerator. Reheat in the microwave or in the oven covered in aluminum foil until piping hot.
Freeze: You can make the beef taco meat and freeze it for up to 3 months when stored in Ziploc bags, or a freezer-safe container.
Substitutions & Variations
- Meat. Use ground chicken, ground turkey, or ground pork for this recipe if you prefer.
- Refried Beans. Add a layer of refried beans to this casserole, or use a mixture of refried beans and chopped vegetables in place of the meat to make this a vegetarian option!
- Toppings. Serve this Taco Casserole with your favorite taco toppings, like guacamole, pico de gallo, cheese, chopped red bell pepper, chopped green onions, black olives, and chopped tomatoes.
- Veggies. Bulk out this casserole with some more veggies, like sweetcorn, chopped bell peppers, red onions, or chopped zucchini for added nutrients.
- Cheese. Use your favorite kind of cheese! Pepper Jack cheese, Monterey Jack Cheese, a Mexican cheese mix, Mozzarella, or Cheddar cheese would go well.
- Spice. If you want even more spice, you can add some more chili powder to the beef mixture, or add some chopped jalapenos, hot sauce, or red pepper flakes!
Pro Tips
- Serve Taco Casserole on its own, or with a side of Mexican rice or brown rice to make it go further.
- Let the casserole sit for 5 minutes after removing it from the oven as this allows time for the mixture to set, giving you more defined portions when you spoon it out.
Have you tried this Easy Taco Casserole recipe?
Please leave a comment below if you have tried making this recipe. I love to hear from you and enjoy reading about what you think. Be sure to tag @devourdinner when posting to social media. I can't wait to see your photos!
More Taco Night Recipes
- Taco Dip with Meat
- Navajo Tacos in the Instant Pot
- Turkey Taco Lettuce Wraps
- Taco Pasta Salad
- Cilantro Lime Shrimp Tacos
- Easy Taco Soup
- Taco Zucchini Boats
Easy Taco Casserole
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds Ground Beef
- 1 Onion White or Yellow
- 2-4 Garlic Cloves - Minced
- 10 ounces Diced Tomatoes with Chilies
- ½ cup Beef Broth
- ⅓ cup Cilantro Leaves - Chopped
- ½ cup Sour Cream
- 2 cups Cheddar Cheese - Shredded & *Divided
- 2 tablespoon Taco Seasoning
- 1 bag Tortilla Chips - Medium Size, Crushed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 F Degrees. Lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish with baking spray.
- In a large skillet brown ground beef with diced onions and garlic. Drain off excess fat or liquid.
- Add diced tomatoes with chilis, cilantro, and taco seasoning. Mix to combine ingredients together and heat through.
- Add 1 cup cheese and sour cream to the mixture and heat until hot and bubbly.
- Lightly crush Tortilla Chips and place half in the bottom of the baking dish.
- Layer half of the ground beef mixture on top of the crushed chips and top with half of the remaining cheese. Repeat with a second layer starting with crushed tortilla chips.
- Bake at 350 F Degrees for 20-25 minutes or until the top is melted and the casserole is hot.
- Remove from oven and allow to sit for 5 minutes before serving with your favorite toppings. This helps to set the casserole for easy serving.
Notes
- Store: Store leftovers in an airtight container or covered in plastic wrap for up to a week in the refrigerator. Reheat in the microwave or in the oven covered in aluminum foil until piping hot.
- Freeze: You can make the beef taco meat and freeze it for up to 3 months when stored in Ziploc bags, or a freezer-safe container.
Substitutions & Variations
- Meat. Use ground chicken, ground turkey, or ground pork for this recipe if you prefer.
- Refried Beans. Add a layer of refried beans to this casserole, or use a mixture of refried beans and chopped vegetables in place of the meat to make this a vegetarian option!
- Toppings. Serve this Taco Casserole with your favorite taco toppings, like guacamole, pico de gallo, cheese, chopped red bell pepper, chopped green onions, black olives, and chopped tomatoes.
- Veggies. Bulk out this casserole with some more veggies, like sweetcorn, chopped bell peppers, red onions, or chopped zucchini for added nutrients.
- Cheese. Use your favorite kind of cheese! Pepper Jack cheese, Monterey Jack Cheese, a Mexican cheese mix, Mozzarella, or Cheddar cheese would go well.
- Spice. If you want even more spice, you can add some more chili powder to the beef mixture, or add some chopped jalapeños, hot sauce, or red pepper flakes!
Nutrition Disclaimer
All nutrition values are approximate and calculated by a plugin and are provided as a courtesy. Adding or subtracting ingredients will change the nutritional value.
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