Description
This Hearty Taco Bake Casserole is a family-friendly, crowd-pleasing dinner loaded with layers of seasoned meat, beans, corn, salsa, and plenty of melty cheese. Crushed tortilla chips add a satisfying crunch, while cool sour cream and fresh toppings brighten every bite. It’s an easy, one-pan meal that brings all your favorite taco flavors straight to the table in cozy casserole form.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef or turkey
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
- 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 cup salsa
- 2 cups tortilla chips, crushed
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
- Nonstick cooking spray or a little oil, for greasing the baking dish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray or a bit of oil.
- Place a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef or turkey and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until fully browned and no pink remains. Drain off any excess fat.
- Stir in the taco seasoning, black beans, corn, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and salsa. Mix well to combine and simmer for about 5 minutes so the flavors meld and the mixture thickens slightly.
- Spread half of the crushed tortilla chips evenly over the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the first crunchy layer.
- Spoon half of the meat and bean mixture over the chips, spreading it into an even layer. Sprinkle with half of the shredded cheddar cheese.
- Repeat the layers with the remaining crushed tortilla chips, the rest of the meat mixture, and the remaining cheddar cheese on top.
- Drop spoonfuls of sour cream over the surface of the casserole. Gently spread or leave in dollops, then sprinkle with chopped green onions and cilantro, if using.
- Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted, bubbly, and the casserole is heated through.
- Remove from the oven and let the taco bake rest for 5–10 minutes before serving so it sets slightly and is easier to slice.
Notes
- To make this casserole gluten-free, choose gluten-free taco seasoning and tortilla chips, and double-check canned ingredients.
- Drain ingredients well so the casserole doesn’t become watery, especially the tomatoes, beans, and corn if they seem very juicy.
- Spice level is easy to customize: use mild salsa and tomatoes for a kid-friendly version or hot varieties for extra heat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Casserole
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Mexican-inspired, Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g (approx.)
- Sodium: 900 mg (approx., varies with seasoning and canned ingredients)
- Fat: 25 g (approx.)
- Saturated Fat: 12 g (approx.)
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g (approx.)
- Trans Fat: 0 g (approx.)
- Carbohydrates: 35 g (approx.)
- Fiber: 7 g (approx.)
- Protein: 24 g (approx.)
- Cholesterol: 80 mg (approx.)
Keywords: taco bake casserole, taco casserole, ground beef taco bake, easy weeknight dinner, Mexican casserole