Taco Casserole Recipe 🌮🥘

Overview:

Taco Casserole is a delightful fusion dish that combines the flavors of Tex Mex cuisine with the comfort of a hearty casserole. It’s a perfect choice for a quick weeknight dinner or a fun potluck gathering with friends and family. This recipe incorporates the essence of various traditional recipes, resulting in a flavorful and satisfying meal that everyone will love. With its simple preparation and vibrant ingredients, this dish is sure to become a favorite in your recipe repertoire!

Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 4
Cuisine: Tex Mex, Southwestern U.S.
Difficulty: Easy
Meal Type: Main Course
Dietary Consideration: Kid Friendly, < 60 Mins, Oven

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef
1 onion, diced
1 cup lettuce, shredded
2 tomatoes, diced
1/2 cup black olives, sliced
1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup salsa
1 tbsp chili powder
1/2 tsp black pepper
Salt, to taste
2 1/2 cups tortilla chips
1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
Sour cream, for serving
Additional salsa, for serving

Nutritional Information (per serving):

Calories: 616.4
Fat: 37.4g
Saturated Fat: 16.4g
Cholesterol: 121.6mg
Sodium: 1436.7mg
Carbohydrates: 32.3g
Fiber: 7.8g
Sugar: 6.6g
Protein: 38.8g

Instructions:

Brown Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked and no longer pink.
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Saute Onion: Add diced onion to the cooked ground beef and sauté until the onion becomes tender and translucent.
Add Salsa and Seasonings: Mix in the salsa, kidney beans, sliced black olives, chili powder, and black pepper. Stir well to combine all the ingredients. Allow the mixture to heat thoroughly, ensuring all flavors meld together beautifully.
Prepare Casserole Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 4-quart casserole dish lightly to prevent sticking.
Layer Ingredients: Begin layering the ingredients in the prepared casserole dish as follows:
- Start with a layer of tortilla chips, using approximately 1 cup.
- Spread half of the meat mixture over the chips.
- Add half of the shredded lettuce and diced tomatoes on top of the meat.
- Sprinkle with one-third of the shredded cheddar cheese.
Repeat Layers: Repeat the layering process:
- Add another cup of tortilla chips.
- Spread the remaining meat mixture over the chips.
- Top with the remaining lettuce, tomatoes, and another one-third of the shredded cheddar cheese.
Final Touches: Finish assembling the casserole by adding the remaining 1/2 cup of tortilla chips and the final one-third of shredded cheddar cheese on top.
Bake: Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the casserole is heated through.
Serve: Once fully baked, remove the taco casserole from the oven and allow it to cool for a few minutes. Serve hot, garnished with a dollop of sour cream and additional salsa on the side, if desired.

Tips:

Feel free to customize this taco casserole with your favorite toppings such as diced avocado, jalapeños, or cilantro.
You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for the ground beef for a lighter alternative.
Make sure to drain excess grease from the cooked ground beef to prevent the casserole from becoming too oily.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.

Conclusion:

Taco Casserole is a crowd-pleasing dish that brings together the bold flavors of Tex Mex cuisine in a comforting and easy-to-make casserole. With layers of seasoned ground beef, beans, veggies, and gooey melted cheese, every bite is packed with deliciousness. Whether you’re cooking for a weeknight dinner or entertaining guests at a potluck, this recipe is sure to be a hit! Enjoy the irresistible flavors of tacos in a convenient casserole form with this fantastic recipe.