If you’re like me, taco night is a weekly tradition, and this Easy Ground Beef Taco Casserole Recipe takes everything we love about tacos and turns it into a cheesy, comforting casserole.
It’s a huge hit in my household, especially on busy weeknights when I need an easy dinner idea that the whole family will enjoy. The best thing about this dish is how customizable it is. Everyone can add their favorite taco toppings to make it their own, from sour cream to pico de gallo.
Plus, it’s a great way to use up leftovers like tortilla chips, black beans, and refried beans.
Easy Ground Beef Taco Casserole Recipe
One of my favorite parts about making this taco casserole is that it uses simple ingredients I almost always have on hand. Lean ground beef, shredded cheese, and homemade taco seasoning make up the base, and from there, you can layer in all your favorite taco ingredients.
It’s the perfect recipe for Taco Tuesday, and if you’re a fan of classic taco flavors like I am, this casserole is bound to be a go-to. Not to mention, leftover taco casserole reheats perfectly the next day.
Easy Ground Beef Taco Casserole Recipe
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Kitchen Essentials
Ingredients
- 2 Pounds Lean Ground Beef or substitute with ground turkey or ground chicken
- 1 Medium Onion diced
- 1 Teaspoon Salt
- 1 Teaspoon Pepper
- 2 Tablespoons Homemade Taco Seasoning or 1 packet store-bought
- 15 Ounces Black Beans 1 can drained and rinsed
- 14.5 Ounces Diced Tomatoes 1 can drained, or use salsa
- 2 Cups Cheddar Cheese shredded, or use Monterey Jack/pepper jack cheese
- 8 Corn Tortillas or 1 cup tortilla chips, or corn chips for extra crunch.
- Olive oil for cooking
- Optional toppings: sour cream pico de gallo, hot salsa, avocado, lettuce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat a tablespoon of olive oil. Add lean ground beef, salt, and pepper. Cook until browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon.2 Pounds Lean Ground Beef, 1 Teaspoon Salt, 1 Teaspoon Pepper, Olive oil for cooking
- Add the diced onion and cook until translucent. Drain excess grease if necessary.1 Medium Onion
- Remove from heat and add to a large bowl.
- Stir in the taco seasoning, black beans, diced tomatoes and shredded cheese.2 Tablespoons Homemade Taco Seasoning, 15 Ounces Black Beans, 14.5 Ounces Diced Tomatoes, 2 Cups Cheddar Cheese
- Lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish. Add the ground beef mixture. Spread a layer of corn tortilla shells, crushed tortilla chips or corn chips on top8 Corn Tortillas
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the casserole becomes hot and bubbly. The chips on the top should be slightly golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving with your favorite taco toppings like sour cream, pico de gallo, hot salsa, avocado, and lettuce.Optional toppings: sour cream
Your Own Private Notes
Notes
Recipe Variations
Optional Add-ins to the baked casserole- 1 can (10 oz) green chiles, diced
- 1 cup refried beans
- 1 small red onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
- 1/2 cup green onions, chopped
Tortillas. Swap corn chips or tortilla chips for layers of flour tortillas or corn tortillas to create a layered taco bake casserole.
Nutrition
Recipe Variations
Optional Add-ins to the baked casserole
- 1 can (10 oz) green chiles, diced
- 1 cup refried beans
- 1 small red onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
- 1/2 cup green onions, chopped
Protein Swap. Try using ground turkey or ground chicken instead of beef for a lighter version.
Beans. Substitute black beans with pinto beans or even Mexican rice for added texture.
Cheese Choices. Use Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or even a mix of shredded cheeses like cheddar and Mexican blend for more flavor.
Tortillas. Swap corn chips or tortilla chips for layers of flour tortillas or corn tortillas to create a layered taco bake casserole.
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover taco casserole in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the oven until warmed through or in the microwave for a quick meal.
This easy taco casserole recipe is a versatile and delicious way to enjoy all the flavors of tacos in casserole form. It’s perfect for taco night or any time you’re craving a comforting Mexican recipe that the whole family will love.
Don’t forget to save the recipe card for future Taco Tuesdays. This is exactly what I want to eat when I want to eat tacos, but don’t necessarily want to fuss with setting out a bunch of toppings or assembling tacos. A great all-in-one meal.
My family loved this!