Ultimate Taco Casserole

This Taco Casserole recipe features all the best toco flavors with a creamy sauce and crunchy layers of tortilla chips. It’s the ultimate easy dinner recipe for busy families!  

I’ve been making this recipe for years. In fact it was an early recipe I published here on my blog so I felt like it was time I gave it a little makeover and updated the instructions. 

One of the best things about this recipe is that only takes one pound pound of ground beef. Cooking with ground beef is easy and convenient. Even though the prices of beef have skyrocketed recently ground beef is still relativity affordable and making it in a casserole like this one or this Three Cheese Tortellini Casserole make it easy to use to feed a family.  

Making this Ultimate Taco Casserole: 

(scroll to the bottom of page for full recipe)

Ingredients:

• Ground Beef
• Diced Bell Pepper 
• Diced Onion
• Garlic
• Cheddar Cheese 
• Taco Seasoning
• Ranch Style Beans
• Ro-Tel Tomatoes 
• Cream of Chicken Soup
• Olive Oil

Instructions: 

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13 casserole dish with foil and spray with non-stick spray. Set aside. 
2. In a large skillet over medium high heat add the olive oil until warm. Then add in the chopped onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Cook until onion becomes soft and transparent, 
3. Add in one pound of ground beef cooking until no longer pink. Drain excess fat from skillet, set aisle. 
4. In a medium saucepan combine the cream of chicken soup, ranch style beans, and Ro-Tel stirring until blended and heated through.

5. In the prepared 9×13 casserole dish put down a layer of crushed tortilla chips, then a layer of ground beef then a layer of the sauce, next layer half of the cheddar cheese. Repeat layers then top off with the remaining shredded cheese.
6. Bake for 30 for minutes or until cheese is bubbly and melted. 
7. Garnish with your favorite taco toppings.

Serving Suggestions: 

Serve this casserole with a green salad, Mexican Style Rice or Seasoned Black Beans. This recipe also pairs wonderfully with my Easy Beer Margaritas! 

Finish off your casserole with any of your favorite taco toppings. Or set a few out and let your family mix and match to their preferences. Here are some suggestions to get your started: 

• Pico di Gallo 
• Salsa
• Sour Cream
• Cilantro 
• Avocado Slices
• Black Olives
• Hot Sauce 
• More Crushed Tortilla Chips 

Substitutions and Variations: 

Cheesy Goodness: I used cheddar, but you could use a Mexican cheese blend, Colby Monterey Jack, or even add in a half cu of Mozzarella to give the casserole a gooey cheesy texture. 

Swap the Chips: Plain tortilla chips are great for this recipe but you could use crushed Doritos for a fun but delicious twist. 

Pump Up the Heat: Want the casserole to have some spice try adding some chopped or pickled jalapeños to bring in the heat. 

Add Some Veggies: Don’t be afraid to add pinto beans, black beans or even corn to this casserole to add flavor and make the casserole more filling.

Protein Swaps: Ground turkey is a great alternative to ground beef in this recipe. You can also make it vegetarian by adding beans or even rice in place of the beef in this casserole.  

Tips and Notes; 

Prepping Ahead: Make the ground beef  with taco seasoning in advance to save prep time on busy nights. Stop in in an airtight container or zip top bag in the fridge. According the the United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) cooked ground beef can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. 

My Favorite Shortcut: Save some time and energy by purchasing frozen chopped onion and chopped bell peppers in the freezer section of your super market. To use when cooking measure out a cup and half of onion and a cup of bell peppers. No need to thaw just toss them in the skillet frozen, cook until tender and the onion is translucent. 

Still hungry? Follow New South Charm on Pinterest! for more recipe ideas!