Description
This Best Taco Casserole is a flavorful and easy-to-make Mexican-inspired dish featuring lean ground beef, salsa, chili beans, and crunchy tortilla chips layered with sour cream, olives, green onions, tomatoes, and shredded Cheddar cheese. Perfect for a hearty weeknight meal that can be customized with ground turkey or low-fat dairy products, and ideally served with chips, salsa, and a green salad.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 2 cups salsa
- 1 (16 ounce) can chili beans, drained
- 3 cups tortilla chips, crushed
- 2 cups sour cream
- 1 (2 ounce) can sliced black olives, drained
- ½ cup chopped green onion
- ½ cup chopped fresh tomato
- 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Gather Ingredients: Collect all the necessary ingredients to have them ready for the cooking process.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook Ground Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, stirring frequently, until browned and crumbly, approximately 8 to 10 minutes.
- Add Salsa and Simmer: Stir in the salsa with the browned beef, reduce the heat to low, and simmer until the liquid is mostly absorbed, about 20 minutes for thickening and flavor melding.
- Incorporate Beans: Stir in the drained chili beans and cook the mixture until heated through, ensuring the flavors combine well.
- Layer Casserole: Spread the crushed tortilla chips evenly on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Spoon the beef and bean mixture over the chips. Spread the sour cream evenly over the beef layer, then sprinkle the sliced black olives, green onions, and fresh tomatoes on top.
- Add Cheese and Bake: Finish by covering the casserole with the shredded Cheddar cheese. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly and the cheese is melted and lightly golden.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve the casserole warm with optional sides like chips, salsa, and a green salad for a complete meal.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey for a healthier option without sacrificing flavor.
- Adding a packet of taco seasoning to the beef while cooking enhances the dish's flavor.
- Feel free to add chopped green chiles or swap chili beans with corn as variations.
- Store leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to four days.
- This casserole can be frozen for up to three months when baked in a foil pan and properly wrapped.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 1 hr
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
