Description
Loaded Taco Beef Casserole brings together hearty ground beef, melty cheese, and crispy tortilla chips for a knockout dinner that fills your family with pure comfort. Layers of zesty seasoned meat, gooey cheese, and crunchy toppings create a crowd-pleasing meal perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound lean ground beef
Starches and Beans:
- 2 cups crushed tortilla chips
- 1 15 oz can black beans
Toppings and Seasonings:
- 1 packet taco seasoning mix
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 cup frozen corn kernels
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup sliced black olives
- ¼ cup chopped green onions
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and grab a 9×13 baking dish.
- Grab a skillet and cook 1 pound lean ground beef over medium heat until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
- Sprinkle 1 ounce taco seasoning over the beef and stir in 1 cup salsa. Let the mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes until it thickens.
- Combine your seasoned beef with 1 can of drained black beans and 1 cup frozen corn kernels in a mixing bowl.
- Spread 1 cup crushed tortilla chips across the bottom of your greased baking dish to create a crunchy base.
- Pour the beef, bean, and corn mixture evenly over the tortilla chip layer.
- Generously scatter 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese across the top of the beef mixture.
- Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup crushed tortilla chips over the cheese, gently pressing them down.
- Add the final 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese on top of the chips.
- Slide the casserole into the preheated 350°F oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese melts and the dish is hot and bubbling.
- Remove from the oven and immediately garnish with ½ cup sliced black olives and ¼ cup chopped green onions.
- Optionally, sprinkle ¼ cup fresh chopped cilantro over the top for extra flavor.
- Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to help it set and cool slightly.
Notes
- Check ground beef browning carefully to prevent burning and ensure even cooking.
- Drain fat completely to keep casserole from becoming greasy and maintain a clean flavor profile.
- Use fresh salsa for brighter taste, but jarred works great when short on time.
- Replace ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter protein alternative that keeps the dish’s robust flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 510 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg