Cheesy Taco Casserole is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that combines the flavors of tacos with gooey cheese in a comforting casserole. Here’s a simple recipe to guide you through the preparation
Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef (you can also use ground turkey or chicken)
1 packet taco seasoning mix
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup frozen corn kernels
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped bell peppers (any color you like)
2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese (cheddar, jack, and/or mozzarella)
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup salsa
1 package (10-12 oz) corn tortillas (cut into quarters)
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional toppings: sliced black olives, chopped fresh cilantro, sliced jalapeños
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until it’s browned and cooked through. Drain any excess grease.
Add the taco seasoning mix to the cooked beef, along with a little water (as per the seasoning packet instructions). Stir well to coat the meat evenly with the seasoning. Cook for an additional 2 minutes, then remove the skillet from the heat.
In a separate bowl, combine the drained diced tomatoes, black beans, frozen corn, chopped onion, and chopped bell peppers. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and mix everything together.
In another small bowl, mix the sour cream and salsa until well combined.
Now, it’s time to layer the casserole. Start by spreading half of the taco-seasoned beef at the bottom of the greased baking dish.
Next, add a layer of quartered corn tortillas on top of the beef.
Spread half of the sour cream and salsa mixture over the tortilla layer.
Sprinkle half of the shredded cheese over the sour cream layer.
Now, add the second half of the taco-seasoned beef as the next layer.
Add another layer of quartered corn tortillas on top of the beef.
Spread the remaining sour cream and salsa mixture over the tortilla layer.
Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese on top.
If you want, you can add some optional toppings like sliced black olives, chopped fresh cilantro, or sliced jalapeños for added flavor and presentation.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the casserole is heated through.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes to let the cheese get bubbly and slightly browned.
Once done, take the casserole out of the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Enjoy your delicious Cheesy Taco Casserole with your favorite side salad or Mexican-style rice!