Ground Beef Taco Casserole
This easy taco casserole is the perfect weeknight dinner for the family. It takes about 30 minutes to make! It’s full of flavor and you can load it with all of your favorite toppings such as lettuce, tomatoes, jalapenos, sour cream, and even crushed tortilla chips.
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Servings: 8 people
EQUIPMENT
- Large skillet
- 9x13 casserole dish
INGREDIENTS
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 pounds ground beef I used 90% lean
- ½ medium sweet onion chopped
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 8 ounces salsa
- 1 cup water
- 2 (1oz.) packets taco seasoning
- 15 ounce can black beans rinsed and drained
- 2½ cups shredded cheese blend divided
- 3½ cups crushed tortilla chips divided
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat oven to 350 F.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil. Once heated, add the ground beef, chopped onions, and minced garlic. Break apart the meat with a wooden spoon and brown until cooked through, about 5-7minutes. Drain any excess grease/fat if needed.
- Add the salsa, water, and seasonings. Mix together and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes.
- Remove the pan from the heat and immediately mix in the black beans and just HALF of the shredded cheese.
- Add about 2 ½ cups cups of crushed tortilla chips in an even layer into the bottom of a 9x13 casserole dish. Just enough to cover the bottom. Set aside the remaining crushed tortilla chips for later.
- Spoon the ground beef taco mixture evenly on top.
- Sprinkle on the remaining cheese.
- Place in the oven and bake uncovered for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
- Once it has finished baking, remove from the oven and top with the remaining crushed tortilla chips. Add your favorite toppings if desired!
NOTES
Instead of adding toppings directly to the casserole dish, you can serve it on the side so everyone can choose what toppings they would like on their plate.
For a leaner meat, this recipe can be made with ground turkey instead of ground beef.
If you want it spicy, add a little bit of ground cayenne pepper when adding the seasonings. Or use a spicy salsa or a spicy taco seasoning blend.
Instead of tortilla chips, you can use doritos or fritos instead!
You can add veggies for the filling with the ground beef if desired such as bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini.
STORING
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It’s best to store the toppings separately. You can reheat in the microwave or bake in the oven at 350 F until heated through. Add toppings afterwards. Freeze in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. I recommend not to freeze it with the toppings. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and then bake at 350 F until heated through. Use fresh toppings when ready to eat.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It’s best to store the toppings separately. You can reheat in the microwave or bake in the oven at 350 F until heated through. Add toppings afterwards. Freeze in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. I recommend not to freeze it with the toppings. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and then bake at 350 F until heated through. Use fresh toppings when ready to eat.