Taco Casserole
Who doesn’t love a good taco? This Taco Casserole puts all your favorite taco flavors in one easy-to-make dish.
This dish has all the flavors you love: savory beef, crunchy tortilla chips, and a creamy layer of sour cream.
The crunchiness of the tortilla chips is softened by the beef mixture topped with the slight tang of the sour cream. The sweetness of fresh tomatoes makes this a refreshing addition to your dinner rotation.
Ground Beef Taco Casserole Recipe Highlights
- There are no complicated steps here, just simple cooking that anyone can do.
- Pantry staples, making it easy to whip up this casserole at any time.
- The familiar flavors are a hit with kids and adults alike.
- Perfect when you need to feed a lot of people without a lot of fuss.
Ingredient Notes
For a detailed, printable ingredient list, please use the recipe below.
BEEF – I like to use 85/15 ground beef. You can also opt for 90/10 or even 96/4 ground beef if you’re looking to cut some calories. Because I am choosing ground beef with a higher fat concentration, I make sure to drain excess fat as much as possible.
BEANS – Use your favorite can of black beans. Just make sure to wash and drain any excess liquid.
SALSA – Use whichever salsa you prefer. My husband dislikes spicy food, so I use mild, chunky salsa.
TORTILLA CHIPS – We will use these tortilla chips as our base layer.
SOUR CREAM – What are tacos without a healthy bit of sour cream? We use sour cream as one of our top layers for this recipe.
CHEESE – You can use a different cheese, but I like a 2:1 ratio of Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese. It melts well and tastes delicious.
TOMATO – This is optional, but I recommend that if you have a spare tomato on hand, you dice it and sprinkle it over the cheese.
TOPPINGS – You can get super creative with the toppings. Use as many as you and your family like. The toppings are added after the casserole comes out of the oven. I mostly use whatever I have on hand.
Some Of Our Favorite Toppings
- olives
- shredded lettuce
- diced tomatoes
- diced green onions
- extra sour cream
- Guacamole
- extra salsa
How To Make Ground Beef Taco Casserole
Please check the printable recipe card below for more detailed instruction
- Brown the beef in a pan and drain the fat.
- Mix beef, black beans, and salsa in a bowl.
- Layer tortilla chips, the beef mix, sour cream, and cheese in a casserole dish.
- Bake at 350° Fahrenheit for 20 minutes.
Leftovers and Storage
STORE – To keep your Taco Casserole fresh, place it in an airtight container and store it in the fridge. It will stay tasty for up to 3 days. If you see any moisture building up, that’s a sign it’s time to eat it or freeze it.
FREEZE – I don’t recommend freezing this casserole.
REHEAT – Ready for round two? Remove the casserole from the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes. Preheat your oven to 250° Fahrenheit and then warm the casserole for about 10 minutes or until it’s heated. You can also use the microwave in a pinch, but the oven helps it taste like it was just made.
More Easy and Delicious Casseroles
Serving Suggestions
SIDE SALAD – A light salad like our chopped Tomato Salad or Creamy Cucumber Salad can balance the meal.
CORN BREAD – A slice adds a homey touch.
FRUIT CUPS – For a light and refreshing side.
Recipe Success Tips
MORE TOPPINGS – You can also top your taco casserole with jalapeno, extra sour cream, or guacamole.
DRAIN THE BEEF – Removing excess fat makes the dish less greasy.
BEANS – Try using pinto beans instead of black beans.
CHOOSE YOUR SPICE – Pick a salsa with the heat level you like. Look for spicy salsa and/or spicy chili beans.
MIX CHEESES – A blend gives a richer flavor.
PREP AHEAD – Many steps can be done in advance for quicker assembly.
USE FRESH TOMATOES – If available, fresh tomatoes elevate the dish.
More Easy Weeknight Dinner Ideas
Chicken Parmesan – Super cheesy + super easy!
Chicken and Rice Casserole – Easy chicken casserole!
Tater Tot Casserole with Turkey Meatballs
Buffalo Chicken Mac ‘n Cheese – A fun spin on an American classic!
Shrimp Carbonara – Restaurant food, just better.
Taco Casserole
Ingredients
Beef Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef 85/15
- 16 ounces salsa
- 1 can black beans 16 ounces
Taco Casserole
- 2 cups tortilla chips lightly crushed
- 1½ cups sour cream
- 1 cup Cheddar Cheese shredded
- ½ cup Monterey Jack Cheese shredded
- 1 medium tomato chopped
Topping
- ¼ cup olives sliced
- 2 stalks green onions cut into ¼-inch slices
- 2 cups lettuce shredded
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350° Fahrenheit.
Making The Taco Beef Mixture
- Use a large skillet and cook the ground beef over medium heat until cooked. Use a wooden spoon to break up meat. Transfer the beef into a colander and drain the excess fat.
- Add the beef to the skillet and combine with drained black beans and salsa. Simmer for about 5 minutes until the mixture is heated, stirring occasionally.
Building The Taco Casserole
- Cover a 2-quart casserole dish with the coarsely crushed tortilla chips. Layer the beef mixture over the tortilla chips. Add a thin layer of sour cream. Sprinkle with Cheddar and Monterrey Jack cheese and top with diced tomato.
- Bake the casserole for 20 minutes at 350° Fahrenheit until the cheese has melted and is bubbly.
Serving The Casserole
- Remove the Taco Casserole from the oven. Serve on a bed of shredded lettuce and top with your favorite toppings.
Nutritional Information
Nutritional Disclaimer
Cheerful Cook team members are not trained nutritionists or medical professionals. Calorie information and nutritional values are estimates. If you have nutritional concerns, we recommend using a nutritional calculator.
Maike Corbett is the founder and food blogger of Cheerful Cook, a popular recipe website featuring comfort food recipes from the US and Germany. She has been featured in numerous media outlets, including the AP Wire and MSN.