Best Taco Casserole

4.4
(2,801)

This taco casserole with ground beef and tortilla chips is easy to make and very tasty. I often substitute with ground turkey and low-fat dairy products, and it's still delicious! Serve this casserole with chips, salsa, and green salad.

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a serving of Mexican casserole being scooped out of the dish
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Prep Time:
15 mins
Cook Time:
1 hr
Total Time:
1 hr 15 mins
Servings:
6
Yield:
1 9x13-inch casserole
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 6 servings

  • 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

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients.

    all ingredients gathered in various glass bowls

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a 9x13-baking dish with cooking spray.

  3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir ground beef in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 8 to 10 minutes.

    ground beef cooked in a hot skillet

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  4. Stir in salsa, reduce heat, and simmer until liquid is absorbed, about 20 minutes. Stir in beans; cook until heated through.

    salsa and beans added to the skillet

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  5. Spread crushed tortilla chips over the bottom of the baking dish; spoon beef mixture on top. Spread sour cream over beef, then sprinkle olives, green onion, and tomatoes on top. Cover with Cheddar cheese.

    all mixtures layered in the baking dish

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  6. Bake in the preheated oven until hot and bubbly, about 30 minutes.

    Mexican casserole baked until hot and bubbly

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  7. Serve and enjoy!

    a serving of Mexican casserole being scooped out of the baking dish

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

More About This Recipe:


This easy Mexican casserole recipe, featuring convenient ingredients like jarred salsa and canned beans, is the crowd-pleasing weeknight dinner of your dreams. 

Mexican Casserole Ingredients

These are the simple ingredients you’ll need to make this flavorful Mexican casserole recipe: 

  • Beef: Start with a pound of lean ground beef. For a lighter option, you can use ground turkey. 
  • Salsa: Use store-bought salsa or make your own at home
  • Canned goods: You’ll need a can of chili beans and canned black olives.  
  • Chips: Crushed tortilla chips add welcome crunch and saltiness. 
  • Sour cream: A layer of sour cream lends cool richness and tangy flavor. 
  • Fresh produce: From the produce section, you’ll need green onions and a fresh tomato. 
  • Cheese: Shredded Cheddar cheese is the perfect finishing touch.

How to Make Mexican Casserole

You’ll find the full, step-by-step recipe above – but here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you make this homemade Mexican casserole: 

  1. Cook the beef. 
  2. Stir in the salsa, then stir in the beans after the liquid is absorbed. 
  3. Layer the casserole according to the detailed recipe below. 
  4. Bake until hot and bubbly. 

Recipe Tip

Some reviewers say they like to add a packet of taco seasoning to the meat while it cooks for extra flavor. If you go this route, try our top-rated Homemade Taco Seasoning!

What to Serve With Mexican Casserole

This Mexican casserole is a hearty meal in and of itself, but you can explore our entire collection of Mexican Side Dishes for delicious side dish inspiration. There, you’ll find top-rated recipes like Cilantro Lime Rice and Elote

As far as drinks go, you can’t go wrong with a Classic Margarita

How to Store Mexican Casserole

Store your leftover Mexican casserole in an airtight container (or covered tightly with storage wrap or foil in the baking dish) for up to four days. Reheat in the oven or microwave. 

Can You Freeze Mexican Casserole? 

Yes, Mexican casserole freezes well! If you plan to freeze it, go ahead and bake it in a foil pan. Cover the whole thing tightly in at least one layer of storage wrap, then at least one layer of aluminum foil. Freeze for up to three months. 

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

“This is absolutely delicious,” raves one Allrecipes community member. “I made it once exactly as is and the kids wanted it again the next day, so I had to substitute corn instead of chili beans. That was also delicious.”

“Very tasty and flavorful,” according to another reviewer. “We added taco seasoning and a 6-ounce can of chopped green chiles to the meat/bean mixture.”

“I’ve made it twice,” says Dean Gapp. “Once with ground beef and the other with shredded chicken. Great easy dish! Endless possibilities for modifications.”

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

4,037 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

632 Calories
44g Fat
33g Carbs
32g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Calories 632
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 44g 56%
Saturated Fat 23g 113%
Cholesterol 119mg 40%
Sodium 1308mg 57%
Total Carbohydrate 33g 12%
Dietary Fiber 6g 22%
Total Sugars 6g
Protein 32g 63%
Vitamin C 8mg 9%
Calcium 451mg 35%
Iron 4mg 19%
Potassium 926mg 20%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.