If you’re craving a hearty, crowd-pleasing dinner that comes together with simple ingredients, this cheesy taco casserole is guaranteed to hit the spot.
Layers of seasoned beef, crunchy tortilla chips, creamy sour cream, and melted cheddar cheese bake together into the ultimate comfort food casserole that tastes like taco night in every bite.
This easy baked taco casserole is perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, game day gatherings, or anytime you need a filling family dinner.
The combination of crunchy chips, savory beef, creamy toppings, and gooey cheese creates a rich and satisfying meal that everyone will ask for again and again.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Yield: 1 (9×13-inch) casserole
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
- 1/2 cup chopped green onions
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh tomatoes
- 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
- Cooking spray
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart as it browns, until fully cooked and no longer pink, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain excess grease if needed.
- Stir the salsa into the cooked beef. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until most of the liquid has absorbed.
- Add the drained chili beans to the skillet and stir until heated through.
- Spread the crushed tortilla chips evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Spoon the beef and bean mixture over the tortilla chips and spread into an even layer.
- Carefully spread the sour cream over the beef layer.
- Top with sliced black olives, chopped green onions, and diced tomatoes.
- Sprinkle the shredded Cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake uncovered for about 30 minutes, or until the casserole is hot, bubbly, and the cheese is melted and lightly golden.
- Let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving. Serve warm with extra tortilla chips, salsa, or a fresh green salad if desired.
Chefs Notes
- Ground turkey works wonderfully as a lighter substitute for ground beef.
- For extra heat, use spicy salsa or add diced jalapeños to the beef mixture.
- Try layering in corn or diced bell peppers for additional flavor and texture.
- Serve with guacamole, shredded lettuce, or sliced avocado for a taco-inspired topping bar.
- To keep the tortilla chips crunchier, add a few extra crushed chips on top right before serving.