Description
This Easy Taco Casserole is a flavorful and convenient dish perfect for weeknight dinners. Combining seasoned ground beef, black beans, corn, crispy crushed Doritos, and a generous amount of melted Mexican cheese blend, it’s topped off with your favorite fresh toppings for a delicious and satisfying meal that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Casserole:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 cups crushed Doritos (Nacho Cheese flavor recommended)
- 1 (14 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (12 ounce) can corn, drained
- 1 (15.5 ounce) jar salsa, your favorite kind
- 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend or cheddar cheese, divided
Optional Toppings:
- Chopped tomatoes
- Fresh cilantro
- Chopped scallions
- Avocado slices
- Black olives
- Sour cream
- Shredded lettuce
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and place the oven rack in the middle position to ensure even cooking.
- Cook the Ground Beef: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for about 5 minutes, breaking the meat apart as it cooks until browned.
- Add Seasonings and Onion: Stir in the chopped onion, chili powder, garlic powder, and ground cumin. Continue cooking for another 5 minutes until the onion softens and the spices are fragrant.
- Prepare the Casserole Base: Spread the crushed Doritos evenly across the bottom of a 9×13-inch casserole dish to form the crunchy base layer.
- Combine Beef Mixture with Beans and Corn: If there is excess fat in the skillet, carefully spoon most of it out. Then stir in the drained black beans, corn, salsa, and half of the shredded cheese. Stir until the cheese melts and the mixture is warmed through.
- Assemble the Casserole: Spoon the beef and bean mixture evenly over the layer of crushed Doritos in the casserole dish.
- Add the Cheese Topping and Bake: Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese evenly over the top. Bake the casserole uncovered for 15-20 minutes, or until it is hot and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve with Optional Toppings: While baking, prepare your desired toppings such as tomatoes, cilantro, scallions, avocado, black olives, sour cream, or lettuce. Serve the casserole warm with these fresh accompaniments.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, add diced jalapeños or a splash of hot sauce to the beef mixture.
- For a gluten-free version, ensure your Doritos and salsa are certified gluten-free.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Feel free to customize toppings according to your preference or what you have on hand.
