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Best Taco Casserole

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.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course lunch/dinner
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 6 people
Calories 4630.8 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 9x13 inch Baking Dish
  • 1 Large Skillet
  • 1 Spatula or wooden spoon For cooking and stirring beef
  • 1 Cutting Board For chopping fresh ingredients
  • 1 Chef's knife For chopping fresh ingredients

Ingredients
  

Main

  • 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 all ingredients. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a 9x13-baking dish with cooking spray.
  • 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. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
  • Stir in salsa, reduce heat, and simmer until liquid is absorbed, about 20 minutes. Stir in beans; cook until heated through. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
  • 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. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
  • Bake in the preheated oven until hot and bubbly, about 30 minutes. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
  • Serve and enjoy! Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
  • 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.
  • Cook the beef. 
  • Stir in the salsa, then stir in the beans after the liquid is absorbed. 
  • Layer the casserole according to the detailed recipe below. 
  • Bake until hot and bubbly. 

Notes

For optimal flavor, consider using a good quality, robust salsa as it forms the base of the beef mixture. When browning the ground beef, ensure proper caramelization for depth of flavor; don't rush this step. If using ground turkey, boost seasoning with a pinch of smoked paprika or cumin to compensate for its leaner profile. For textural contrast, slightly under-crush some tortilla chips to ensure a pleasant bite, not just a soft layer. To enhance the freshness, stir a squeeze of lime juice into the sour cream before spreading, or offer it tableside. A final quick broil for 1-2 minutes can achieve a beautifully golden, bubbly cheese crust.