Taco Casserole: Crunchy and Cheesy Walking Taco Bake

Description

This Taco Casserole is a fun, flavorful, and easy-to-make dish that brings the popular flavors of a taco into a hearty, cheesy casserole. With a crunchy layer of tortilla chips, seasoned ground beef, beans, cheese, and all your favorite taco toppings, this dish is perfect for family dinners or parties. Serve it up like a walking taco, with each portion served in individual bowls or scooped up with extra chips for an interactive meal!

Ingredients

For the Casserole:

• 1 lb ground beef (or turkey)
• 1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade seasoning)
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies (or regular diced tomatoes)
• 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
• 1 cup salsa
• 4 cups tortilla chips, crushed
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
• 1 cup sour cream (for serving)
• 1 cup chopped lettuce (for serving)
• 1 medium tomato, diced (for serving)
• ½ cup sliced black olives (optional)
• Jalapeño slices (optional)

Optional Toppings:

• Sliced green onions
• Salsa or hot sauce
• Avocado or guacamole

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Cook the Ground Beef:

1. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks.
2. Drain any excess fat, then stir in the taco seasoning and cook according to package instructions (usually adding water and simmering for 5 minutes). Set aside.

3. Assemble the Casserole:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ground beef, black beans, diced tomatoes, corn, and salsa.
2. Spread half of the crushed tortilla chips evenly at the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
3. Spoon the beef mixture over the chips, then top with shredded cheddar cheese and Mexican blend cheese.
4. Repeat the layering process with the remaining chips, beef mixture, and cheese.

4. Bake the Casserole:

1. Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the casserole is heated through.

5. Serve:

1. Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes.
2. Serve the casserole with a side of sour cream, chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes, and any additional toppings you like, such as black olives, jalapeños, green onions, and salsa.

Tips for Success

• For a spicier kick, use hot salsa or add extra chili powder to the ground beef mixture.
• If you want a vegetarian version, swap the ground beef with a meat substitute or just add extra beans and vegetables.
• You can prepare the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.

Recommendations

• Serve this casserole as part of a taco bar, where guests can add their favorite toppings for a customizable meal.
• Pair with a light salad or a side of Spanish rice to complete the meal.

Nutrition (per serving, approx., based on 8 servings):

• Calories: 450
• Protein: 20g
• Carbohydrates: 40g
• Fat: 25g
• Fiber: 6g
• Sugars: 5g