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Easy Cheesy Taco Casserole Bake

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A quick and comforting casserole featuring seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, and crunchy tortilla chips, perfect for busy weeknights and crowd-pleasing dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 2 tbsp taco seasoning (store-bought or homemade blend of chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup frozen corn kernels
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 2 cups crushed tortilla chips
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 2 green onions, sliced
  • Optional toppings: sour cream, sliced jalapeños, diced tomatoes, fresh cilantro

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook for 5-7 minutes, breaking it apart with a spatula until browned with no pink remaining.
  3. Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the beef. Cook for another 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  4. Stir in taco seasoning and tomato sauce. Lower heat and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until sauce thickens slightly.
  5. Fold in rinsed black beans and frozen corn kernels. Cook for 2 more minutes to heat through.
  6. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or oil.
  7. Layer about 1 cup of crushed tortilla chips on the bottom of the dish.
  8. Spread half of the beef mixture evenly over the chips.
  9. Sprinkle with 1 cup shredded cheddar and ½ cup Monterey Jack cheese.
  10. Repeat layers: crushed chips, remaining beef mixture, and remaining cheeses.
  11. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and golden on top. If cheese isn’t melted enough, broil for 1-2 minutes watching closely.
  12. Let casserole cool for 5 minutes before garnishing with sliced green onions and optional toppings like sour cream or jalapeños.
  13. Serve warm.

Notes

If tortilla chips are thin, crush less to keep crunch. Drain excess fat from beef before adding tomato sauce to avoid greasiness. Let casserole rest after baking for easier serving and better flavor. For a vegetarian version, omit beef and double beans and corn; use plant-based cheese or omit cheese for dairy-free. Slow cooker method: cook on low 3-4 hours after browning beef and mixing ingredients, add cheese near end to melt.

Nutrition

Keywords: taco casserole, cheesy casserole, ground beef recipe, easy dinner, comfort food, weeknight meal, crowd-pleaser

Find it online: https://elvafood.com/easy-cheesy-taco-casserole-bake-recipe-for-perfect-comforting-dinners/