Description

This hearty Taco Casserole is a comforting, flavorful dish perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings. It features seasoned ground beef, colorful vegetables, black beans, and corn layered with crispy tortilla chips and melted cheddar cheese, then baked to bubbly perfection. Easy to prepare and customizable with your favorite toppings, this casserole brings all the bold taco flavors into one satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

2 teaspoons olive oil
1 pound lean ground beef
1 small yellow onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 envelope taco seasoning mix
1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes with peppers
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
3/4 cup corn kernels, frozen or canned, drained
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
2 1/2 cups tortilla chips, lightly crushed

Optional Toppings

Chopped lettuce
Diced tomatoes
Sour cream

Instructions

Brown beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, stirring to crumble the meat evenly.
Sauté vegetables: Add diced onion, red bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook until the vegetables soften and become fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.
Simmer mixture: Stir in taco seasoning, diced tomatoes with juices, black beans, and corn kernels. Reduce heat to medium-low and let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes until it thickens slightly. Gently fold in half of the shredded cheddar cheese.
Preheat oven and prepare dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
Assemble casserole: Spread most of the crushed tortilla chips evenly on the bottom of the baking dish. Spoon the beef and vegetable mixture over the chips. Then sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese and top with the remaining crushed tortilla chips.
Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve: Remove from the oven and serve hot. Add optional toppings such as chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes, or a dollop of sour cream for extra flavor and freshness.

Notes

You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner version.
Use gluten-free tortilla chips to make this casserole gluten-free.
Feel free to add jalapeños for a spicy kick.
Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
For a vegetarian option, replace beef with extra beans and vegetables.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Mexican-American

Keywords: taco casserole, ground beef casserole, easy dinner, Mexican casserole, baked taco dish