Description
Mexican-inspired taco casserole combines layers of seasoned ground beef, tortillas, and melted cheese for a hearty dinner. Comfort meets convenience in this crowd-pleasing dish perfect for family gatherings or casual weeknight meals.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (453.6 g) ground beef
- 12 soft tortillas (8 inches)
- 1 cup (236.6 ml) grated cheddar cheese
- 1 packet taco seasoning mix
- 1 can nacho cheese soup
- 1 can diced tomatoes with chiles (drained)
- ¼ cup (59.1 ml) water
- ¼ cup (59.1 ml) sour cream
- Guacamole
- Chopped cilantro
- Optional: additional sour cream
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×9-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- Meat Preparation: Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, crumbling into small pieces. Drain excess fat and stir in taco seasoning with water, simmering for 2 minutes to infuse flavors.
- Sauce Creation: Whisk Ro-Tel tomatoes, nacho cheese soup, and sour cream in a mixing bowl until smooth, then fold in the seasoned beef mixture to create a rich, creamy base.
- Layering Foundation: Arrange the first layer of tortillas across the baking dish bottom, covering the entire surface. Spread one-third of the beef and tomato mixture evenly, ensuring complete coverage.
- Assembly Technique: Repeat the tortilla and beef layering process twice more, building multiple flavor-packed levels. Top the final layer with remaining tortillas and generously sprinkle grated cheddar cheese.
- Baking Process: Cook in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until cheese melts into a golden, bubbly crust. Remove and allow casserole to rest for 5 minutes to set and cool slightly.
- Serving Presentation: Slice into equal portions, garnish with fresh chopped cilantro, and serve with optional guacamole or additional sour cream on the side.
Notes
- Prevent Soggy Bottom: Use fresh tortillas and pat them dry to avoid excess moisture that can make the base soggy.
- Cheese Melting Tip: Grate cheese directly from a cold block for better melting and more even coverage on the casserole.
- Flavor Enhancement: Let the beef simmer with taco seasoning to develop deeper, more concentrated flavors before layering.
- Make-Ahead Strategy: Assemble the casserole up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve for convenient meal prep.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg