This is hands down the BEST taco casserole recipe! The ingredient list is simple and easy to find and the method is quick and easy! Your family is going to rethink taco night after this family-friendly recipe!
I don’t know that many kids who could eat tacos every night. I know my kids can! Tacos are fun to eat (it’s always fun when you can eat dinner with your hands) versatile, and pretty darn easy.
I also love tacos, but I can’t eat them as much as my kids. A good tasty, taco compromise is to serve up taco casserole instead. Here we have all the flavor of a good old fashioned taco but served in a new, delicious, and heartier way!
What Is taco casserole you ask? Taco casserole is layers of taco filling, cheese, and tortillas baked just until the tortillas are golden and the cheese is melted!
You cannot go wrong with this meal!
What Do I Need To Make This Taco Casserole?
Lean Ground Beef – I always try to use lean ground beef unless I am making hamburgers. I prefer the taste is just as good too. Plus, research shows that enjoying lean beef as part of a heart-healthy diet can lower cholesterol and reduce heart disease risk. Beef is BIG on protein! It provides 25 grams per 3oz! Adding high-protein foods, like beef, to your diet will help with weight management and will keep you feeling energized all day. Research shows that enjoying lean beef as part of a heart-healthy diet can lower cholesterol and reduce heart disease risk.
Taco Seasoning Mix – Try to use low sodium. If you have a good recipe you can make your own! Taco seasoning just keeps it simple. And there is a good chance you already have a packet in your pantry!
Fire-roasted Tomatoes – Fire roasted tomatoes are exactly what you think they are. Tomatoes that have been charred over a flame and then canned. You can readily find these in your grocery store with the other types of canned tomatoes. These tomatoes add a deep, smoky flavor. If you don’t want to mess with them or cannot find them, they try salsa instead.
Pinto Beans – Black bean and can be used instead.
Yellow Peppers
Shredded Cheddar Cheese
How To Make This Taco Casserole Recipe?
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Spray a 9 x 9 inch baking dish and set aside.
Place a large skillet over medium-high heat, add ground beef. If your beef is frozen, Let it thaw safely in the refrigerator for 12 hours and then cook to an internal temperature of 160°F. Remember: color is not a reliable indicator of ground beef’s doneness – use a meat thermometer!
Brown and crumble the beef; stir in taco seasoning. Stir in tomatoes, beans, and peppers. Stir until the mixture has thickened, adding water if the mixture is too thick.
Place 3 tortillas on the bottom of the baking dish, halving tortillas if necessary. Place a third of the meat mixture over the tortillas. Sprinkle 1 quarter of the cheese over the meat mixture.
Repeat layers with the remaining tortillas, beef, and cheese, ending with tortillas,
Bake the casserole for about 8 minutes or until cheese has melted.
Remove the casserole and top with lettuce, tomatoes, chopped avocado, and extra cheese.
Can I Freeze This Taco Casserole Recipe?
If you want to save this casserole for another day. Prepare the recipe as directed.
Allow the casserole to cool.
Freeze the casserole in the pan and cover with foil. Thaw in the fridge the night before so you can just reheat it when ready. This casserole can be frozen for up to 2 months,
Taco Casserole Tips and Suggestions
- I chose to mix my beans, canned tomatoes, and beef together. However, you could certainly do a layer of beef and beans in this casserole.
- Refried beans can be used in place of the pinto beans
- Feel free to stir in green bell peppers, poblanos or jalapenos into the beef mixture if that is what you have in the fridge.
- Stir in corn (canned, fresh, or frozen)!
- Top the casserole with shredded lettuce, black olives, sour cream, tomatoes, green onions, and avocados!
What To Serve With Taco Casserole?
Looking for a side dish for this casserole, then perhaps you can try this Elote Corn Salad Recipe, Easy Guacamole Recipe, Avocado Feta Salsa, or Avocado Salsa Verde.
The Ohio beef community includes more than just farmers! Small business owners, community leaders, animal caretakers, nutritionists and environmentalists are all dedicated to producing safe, wholesome, nutritious beef.
Taco Casserole Recipe
This is hands down the BEST taco casserole! The ingredient list is simple and easy to find and the method is quick and easy! Your family is going to rethink taco night after this family-friendly recipe!
Ingredients
- 12 small flour tortillas
- 1lb lean ground beef
- Taco seasoning mix
- 14 oz can fire-roasted tomatoes
- 14 oz can pinto beans rinsed and drained
- ¼ diced yellow peppers
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- Lettuce, tomatoes, and avocados for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Spray a 9 x 9-inch baking dish and set aside.
- Place a large skillet over medium heat, add ground beef. Brown and crumble the beef; add taco seasoning. Stir in tomatoes, beans, and peppers. Stir until the mixture has thickened, adding water if the mixture is too thick.
- Place 3 tortillas on the bottom of the baking dish, halving tortillas if necessary. Place a third of the meat mixture over the tortillas. Sprinkle 1 quarter of the cheese over the meat mixture.
- Repeat layers with the remaining tortillas, beef, and cheese, ending with tortillas,
- Bake the casserole for about 8 minutes or until cheese has melted.
- Remove the casserole and top with lettuce, tomatoes, chopped avocado, and extra cheese.
Nutrition Information
Yield
8Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 524Total Fat 21gSaturated Fat 7gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 11gCholesterol 64mgSodium 738mgCarbohydrates 54gFiber 8gSugar 3gProtein 29g
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