Best Taco Casserole Recipe

Best Taco Casserole Recipe

Cook Time: 60 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 2 cups salsa
  • 1 (16 ounce) can chili beans, drained
  • 3 cups tortilla chips, crushed
  • 2 cups sour cream
  • 1 (2 ounce) can sliced black olives, drained
  • cup chopped green onion
  • cup chopped fresh tomato
  • 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350F (175C). Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and crumbly, about 8-10 minutes.
  3. Stir in the salsa, reduce the heat to low, and let it simmer for about 20 minutes until the liquid is absorbed.
  4. Add the chili beans to the beef mixture and cook until the beans are heated through.
  5. Spread the crushed tortilla chips evenly over the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Spoon the beef mixture over the chips.
  6. Layer the sour cream over the beef, then sprinkle the black olives, green onions, and chopped tomatoes on top.
  7. Top the casserole with the shredded Cheddar cheese.
  8. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 30 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly.
  9. Remove from the oven, serve, and enjoy!

More About This Recipe

This easy Mexican casserole recipe combines convenience with flavor, using ingredients like jarred salsa and canned chili beans. Its a perfect weeknight dinner thats sure to please everyone at the table!

How to Make Mexican Casserole

Follow these simple steps to make your own delicious Mexican casserole:

  • Cook the ground beef and stir in salsa. Let it simmer to absorb the flavors.
  • Add chili beans, then layer the casserole with tortilla chips, sour cream, olives, green onions, tomatoes, and Cheddar cheese.
  • Bake in the oven until bubbly and golden. Serve warm and enjoy!

Recipe Tip

For extra flavor, you can add taco seasoning to the ground beef while its cooking. You can also try our Homemade Taco Seasoning for an extra kick!

What to Serve with Mexican Casserole

While this Mexican casserole is a hearty meal on its own, it pairs wonderfully with side dishes like Cilantro Lime Rice or Elote. To complement your meal, enjoy a Classic Margarita.

How to Store Mexican Casserole

Leftover casserole can be stored in an airtight in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave when ready to serve.

Can You Freeze Mexican Casserole?

Yes, this casserole freezes beautifully! Bake it in a foil pan, cover tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven when ready to serve.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

  • Calories: 632
  • Total Fat: 44g (56% DV)
  • Saturated Fat: 23g (113% DV)
  • Cholesterol: 119mg (40% DV)
  • Sodium: 1308mg (57% DV)
  • Total Carbohydrates: 33g (12% DV)
  • Dietary Fiber: 6g (22% DV)
  • Total Sugars: 6g
  • Protein: 32g (63% DV)
  • Vitamin C: 8mg (9% DV)
  • Calcium: 451mg (35% DV)
  • Iron: 4mg (19% DV)
  • Potassium: 926mg (20% DV)

Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Best Taco Casserole Recipe

FAQ about Best Taco Casserole Recipe

Store leftover Taco Casserole in an airtight container or tightly covered with plastic wrap or foil in the baking dish. It will last for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Reheat in the microwave or oven before serving.

Yes, Taco Casserole freezes well. If you plan to freeze it, bake it in a foil pan, then cover it tightly with at least one layer of plastic wrap and one layer of aluminum foil. It can be frozen for up to three months. To reheat, bake from frozen at 350°F for about 45 minutes, or until heated through.

Yes, Taco Casserole can be assembled ahead of time. After preparing the casserole, cover it and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. When ready to cook, simply bake it in a preheated oven at 350°F for 30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

Yes, ground turkey is a great substitute for ground beef in Taco Casserole. It will provide a lighter version of the dish without compromising flavor.

If you prefer a dairy-free or lighter option, you can substitute sour cream with plain Greek yogurt or a dairy-free sour cream alternative.

Yes, you can use a variety of cheeses in Taco Casserole. While Cheddar cheese is traditional, Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or a Mexican cheese blend work well in this recipe.

To prevent the tortilla chips from getting too soggy, you can use thicker tortilla chips or try using whole tortillas instead. You can also layer the chips on top of the casserole rather than at the bottom to keep the crunch.

Yes, you can easily adjust the spiciness of Taco Casserole. Add diced jalapeños, spicy salsa, or hot taco seasoning to the meat mixture to increase the heat level.

Taco Casserole is a filling dish on its own, but you can serve it with a side of Mexican rice, a simple salad, or some guacamole and chips for extra flavor.

Taco Casserole is not naturally gluten-free due to the use of tortilla chips. However, you can make it gluten-free by using gluten-free tortilla chips or corn tortillas instead.

Comments

Sharon Taylor

01/18/2025 09:59:29 AM

This dish was excellent! Typically, I would have opted for refried beans, but the chili beans worked wonders. They brought a perfect flavor to the dish that everyone in my family enjoyed. We will certainly be making this recipe again. Next time, I'll skip crushing the chips and leave them whole to maintain their crispy texture. Although some chips turned a bit softer, we all prefer crispy elements to remain crunchy. Nevertheless, we all loved this dish exactly as it is.

Jerry Nguyen

10/18/2023 02:06:02 PM

I made some modifications to this recipe in an attempt to make it healthier. Instead of using tortilla chips, I used corn tortillas on the bottom and layered the ingredients to resemble a lasagna, hoping it would hold together better. I incorporated one layer of corn tortillas and another of flour tortillas. I opted for a mixture of "Mexican style" cheese and low-fat sour cream, increased the amount of chili beans by adding an extra can, and substituted ground turkey for beef. To enhance the flavor, I also included a green pepper, an onion, green chilies, and additional spices, as some reviewers noted it was lacking in taste. While it was not very spicy, I intend to add more heat next time. Despite this, the dish was still quite flavorful and made for a satisfying meal when paired with a nice salad.

Thomas Wilson

10/27/2022 10:09:57 AM

What an amazing experience! I decided to double the recipe to play around, and the outcome was simply incredible. Here are the changes I made to the original recipe: 1. I used a combination of half ground beef and half sweet sausage with the casing removed. 2. Instead of the usual seasoning, I went with chipotle taco seasoning. 3. I opted for chili and black beans. 4. I included 1 can of salt-free diced tomatoes and 1 can of Rotel. 5. I mixed cheddar cheese with salsa jack cheese. 6. I added garlic and onion powder for extra flavor. 7. Oh, and I accidentally forgot the black olives (oops!). This dish turned out to be incredibly tasty. While it may not be the healthiest option, as some have pointed out, it's perfect for potlucks or gatherings where it's just one of many dishes on offer. Overall, it was a hit!

Jonathan Phillips

10/07/2023 12:37:48 PM

We absolutely loved this recipe! Following the advice of others, I added a packet of taco seasoning to the meat. I also sprinkled in some garlic powder, black pepper, and cayenne because we enjoy flavorful seasonings. I used bite-size tortilla chips and they turned out perfectly. This dish will definitely be a regular in our meal rotation!

Jonathan Ramirez

08/13/2022 06:06:49 PM

This dish was absolutely delicious! I incorporated green chilies, seasoned black beans (drained), taco seasoning, Emeril's Southwest Essence, Mexicorn (drained), and a can of Rotel. While I skipped the sour cream, I opted to layer the ingredients with split white corn taco shells. It turned out a bit soggy, so next time I'll double up on the taco shells for added thickness. It paired nicely with a salad tossed in southwestern ranch dressing. This recipe is great for customizing to suit your own preferences. I appreciate how cleverly canned products were used, making it impossible to tell they weren't fresh.

Joyce Johnson

05/29/2024 02:03:13 AM

This dish is not only simple to make, but it is also incredibly delicious. Following suggestions from other reviews, I seasoned the meat with taco seasoning after browning it. I decided to reduce the amount of sour cream to 1 1/2 cups and spread it thinly over the meat since my boyfriend isn't a big fan of sour cream. I also added approximately 1 cup of crushed cheese-flavored nacho chips (such as Doritos) before topping everything with cheese. The result was very flavorful! We didn't have any leftovers at all. Thank you, Andrea, for this fantastic recipe!

Joshua Miller

10/12/2023 10:07:20 PM

Simple and a nice twist on a Mexican dish. Following others' suggestions, I combined taco seasoning and black beans with the ground beef. To add some extra flavor, I included Rotel tomatoes with green chilies and Mexicorn on top of the sour cream.

Barbara Brown

05/10/2023 11:41:12 PM

I can't provide a firsthand review of the original recipe since I made significant changes, but we enjoyed the results enough to share my modifications. I combined elements from this recipe and the "Mexican Casserole" recipe on the site, incorporating my own preferences too. I started by browning 1lb. of hamburger and 1lb. of ground turkey with garlic, onion, taco seasoning, and chili powder. Next, I added a can of Rotel tomatoes, ranch beans, and a few spoonfuls of cream cheese. In a baking pan, I layered flour tortillas, the meat mixture, sour cream, and plenty of shredded sharp cheddar and colby jack cheese, repeating the layers. I finished with a final cheese layer and baked until golden brown. My 8-year-old son and husband couldn't get enough of it, exclaiming "YUMMO"! I paired it with homemade guacamole and chips for dipping to avoid sogginess. I also included two cans of cream of mushroom soup in the mixture. This dish will become a regular in our household, and I encourage you to experiment with your favorite flavors too!

Jerry Jones

11/15/2024 01:40:49 PM

I added 3 tablespoons of the homemade taco seasoning recipe mentioned in the "Recipe Tip" and one diced medium onion to the meat. Instead of chili beans, I opted for refried beans (warmed in the microwave and then added to the meat by spoonfuls, spreading them as best as I could). I used shredded Mexican Four Cheese and placed the pan under the broiler briefly to give the cheese a golden crust (I suggest avoiding the broiler for glass pans). To finish, I topped it with diced fresh tomatoes, green onions, jalapenos, and cilantro. Served with pico de gallo and sliced avocados.

Melissa Hill

02/20/2023 07:03:27 AM

I made some adjustments to the recipe based on my preferences and the ingredients I had available. I added diced onion and bell pepper, about 3/4 cup of each, to the ground beef while cooking. I also seasoned with garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper. Adding tomato paste and salsa enriched the flavor, along with a can of sweet corn. Instead of beans, I layered refried beans on corn tortillas and topped them with tomatoes and cheese, filling up my Pyrex dish. To serve, I substituted plain non-fat Greek yogurt for sour cream, which my husband enjoyed. His approval means a lot, as he's quite selective with food. Overall, the dish turned out delicious, and I appreciate the new ideas!

Christine Brown

04/26/2025 11:16:25 AM

Seemed like a promising choice for my party, so I followed the recipe exactly. Unfortunately, the dish turned out dry and lacking flavor. The chips at the bottom were soggy and didn't improve the overall taste. I won't be preparing this recipe again.

Brandon Johnson

10/29/2024 09:36:27 AM

Sure. Here is the rewritten review: "❤️"

Janet Martin

06/10/2024 11:07:10 PM

The flavor of the dish was dull and the texture was too dry. Additionally, the chips at the bottom ended up being soggy. I was looking forward to a satisfying crunch paired with the taco meat, but unfortunately, it was missing.

Kimberly Gomez

06/09/2023 04:50:55 AM

All right, but not fantastic.

Charles Hernandez

05/11/2023 10:06:05 AM

I will definitely be making this dish again. I omitted the black olives since my family isn't a fan of them. We topped it with lettuce and hot sauce once it was out of the oven. The dish was incredibly delicious and simple to prepare.

Alexander Cruz

11/03/2022 06:42:33 PM

Swapping out regular tortilla chips for Doritos is a fantastic idea for a flavorful boost.

Nicholas Gonzalez

02/12/2025 02:31:10 AM

Here is the rewritten review: I followed this recipe loosely, substituting ground turkey for the meat, Greek yogurt for the dairy, and adding extra olives and canned diced tomatoes. I omitted the onion and used jack cheese. My son loved it so much he asked for seconds and even wanted a to-go container! Personally, I prefer quicker recipes, so the 20 minutes of simmering followed by 30 minutes of baking felt like a bit too much time and effort for me.

Samantha Wilson

07/20/2023 03:20:37 PM

Add more flavor and maybe reduce the amount of tomato salsa and sour cream given.

Jeffrey Brown

04/01/2024 07:39:12 AM

Extremely dry. If I were to make it again, I would skip adding the crushed tortillas.