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A delicious Taco Casserole is pictured as the featured image for this recipe.

Easy Taco Casserole

This easy taco casserole is a crowd-pleasing dish perfect for busy weeknights. It features layers of seasoned ground beef, creamy cheese, and crunchy tortilla chips baked to golden-brown perfection for a fiesta of flavor in every bite.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 ounce taco seasoning packet
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 10-12 ounces tortilla chips, lightly crushed
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 10 ounces diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained like Rotel
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • Optional toppings: shredded lettuce
  • Optional toppings: diced tomatoes
  • Optional toppings: olives
  • Optional toppings: green onions
  • Optional toppings: salsa
  • Optional toppings: guacamole

Equipment

  • large skillet
  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • mixing bowls
  • spatula
  • Spoon
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • Oven

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  2. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Drain off any excess grease.
  3. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes.
  4. Stir in the taco seasoning and water. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the liquid has reduced slightly. Remove from heat.
  5. Spread a thin layer of crushed tortilla chips on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
  6. Top with half of the meat mixture, half of the diced tomatoes and green chilies, and half of the shredded cheese.
  7. Repeat layers: tortilla chips, remaining meat mixture, remaining diced tomatoes and green chilies, and remaining cheese.
  8. Dollop spoonfuls of sour cream evenly over the top of the casserole.
  9. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the casserole is heated through.
  10. Let stand for a few minutes before serving.
  11. Serve hot, and let everyone customize their serving with their favorite taco toppings.

Notes

Don't overcook the meat. Crush tortilla chips lightly. Experiment with different cheeses. Let the casserole rest before serving. You can assemble the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add beans, veggies, or spices to customize. Ground turkey or shredded chicken can be used instead of ground beef. Leftover casserole can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and reheated in the microwave or oven. The casserole can be frozen, but the texture of the tortilla chips may change slightly.