Here’s a hearty and easy Taco Casserole — layers of seasoned ground beef, cheese, and tortillas baked to perfection.
🌮 Taco Casserole
Ingredients (Serves 6–8)
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning (or 2 tbsp homemade: chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt)
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained
- 6–8 small flour or corn tortillas, cut into strips
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or Monterey Jack cheese
- Optional toppings: sour cream, salsa, chopped green onions, cilantro, avocado
Instructions
1️⃣ Preheat oven
- 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2️⃣ Cook beef
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until browned.
- Drain excess fat and stir in taco seasoning and a splash of water. Simmer 2–3 minutes.
3️⃣ Assemble casserole
- Layer half of the tortilla strips in the baking dish.
- Top with half of the cooked beef, half the black beans, half the diced tomatoes, and half the cheeses.
- Repeat layers with remaining ingredients.
4️⃣ Bake
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake an additional 5–10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
5️⃣ Serve
- Top with sour cream, salsa, cilantro, or avocado as desired.
Tips & Variations
- 🌶 Spice it up: Add chopped jalapeños or hot sauce.
- 🥦 Extra veggies: Layer in corn, bell peppers, or zucchini.
- 🧀 Make it cheesy: Add a cream cheese layer for richness.
- 🥗 Lighter version: Use whole wheat tortillas and reduced-fat cheese.
I can also give a slow-cooker taco casserole version that’s perfect for hands-off cooking and keeps the flavors super tender.
