If your family loves taco night, you need this one! This easy taco casserole takes just a few ingredients and turns them into a cheesy, filling dinner with hardly any prep.
It’s one of those meals I love because everyone can customize their own serving, and picky eaters can easily have their ingredients separated.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Just a few simple ingredients
- Hardly any prep
- Works with ground beef or ground turkey
- Easy to customize with your favorite toppings
What You’ll Need
- Lean ground beef or ground turkey: 1 pound. Use whichever your family likes.
- Taco seasoning: 1 packet.
- Black beans: 1 can, drained, for extra protein and fiber.
- Salsa: 1 cup keeps the filling saucy.
- Tortilla chips: enough to cover the bottom of your baking dish.
- Shredded Mexican cheese: 1½ cups for the cheesy top.
- Optional toppings: avocado, Greek yogurt or cilantro.
How to Make Taco Casserole
Step 1: Cook the meat
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Brown the ground beef or turkey in a skillet and drain if needed.
Step 2: Make the filling
Stir in the taco seasoning, black beans and salsa.
Step 3: Layer
Add a layer of tortilla chips to a greased 9×13 baking dish. Spoon the meat mixture over the chips and top with cheese.
Step 4: Bake and top
Bake for 10–15 minutes, until hot and bubbly. Add your favorite toppings and serve!
Busy Mom Tips
- Busy mom hack: use pre-cooked or leftover taco meat to make this even faster.
- Picky toddler hack: set aside some plain meat, beans and chips before assembling the casserole.
- Top with avocado, Greek yogurt or cilantro.
- Estimated macros: ~450 calories, 30g protein, 40g carbs, 20g fat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?
Yes! This casserole works with lean ground beef or ground turkey.
How can I make taco casserole even faster?
Use pre-cooked or leftover taco meat, then just stir in the beans and salsa and assemble.
How do I serve it to picky eaters?
Before assembling, set aside some plain meat, beans and chips so picky eaters can have their ingredients separated.
How to Store
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for 3–4 days. The chips will soften as it sits, so this casserole is at its crunchiest the day you make it.
More Recipes You’ll Love
Easy Taco Casserole with Ground Beef
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Brown ground beef or turkey in a skillet. Drain if needed.
- Stir in taco seasoning, black beans and salsa.
- Add a layer of tortilla chips to a greased 9×13 baking dish.
- Spoon the meat mixture over the chips and top with cheese.
- Bake for 10–15 minutes, until hot and bubbly.
- Add your favorite toppings and serve!
