Description
This Taco Bake Casserole is a layered delight filled with seasoned ground beef, creamy refried beans, melty cheese, and crunchy tortilla chips. It’s a one-pan dinner perfect for busy weeknights or taco night with the family. Easy to make and packed with Tex-Mex flavor, it’s a surefire hit!
Ingredients
- Ground beef or turkey
- Taco seasoning mix
- Refried beans
- Salsa or diced tomatoes (canned)
- Sour cream
- Shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
- Tortilla chips or flour tortillas, broken into pieces
- Optional toppings: sliced jalapeños, chopped cilantro, diced avocado, or green onions
Instructions
- Preheat Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the Beef:
- In a skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in taco seasoning and a splash of water (as directed on the seasoning packet). Cook for another 2-3 minutes.
- Assemble the Casserole:
- Spread a layer of refried beans at the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Add a layer of crushed tortilla chips or tortillas.
- Top with cooked taco meat, then spread a layer of salsa or diced tomatoes.
- Spread sour cream over the salsa layer, then sprinkle generously with shredded cheese.
- Repeat layers as needed, finishing with a cheese layer on top.
- Bake:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve:
- Let the casserole cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with optional toppings like jalapeños, cilantro, or avocado.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, use a hot salsa and add diced jalapeños to the beef layer.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
- Serve with a side of guacamole, extra tortilla chips, or a fresh salad.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ~1/6 of the casserole
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 65mg