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Layered Taco Casserole

This Layered Taco Casserole is a cheesy, hearty baked dish made with layers of seasoned ground beef, tortillas, beans, salsa, and melted cheese. It’s a flavorful Mexican-inspired casserole that’s perfect for easy weeknight dinners and family meals.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • Taco Meat Layer
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 small onion diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 cup salsa
  • 1 can black beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup corn kernels
  • Layers
  • 8 small flour tortillas cut into strips or halves
  • 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
  • 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese shredded
  • 1 cup refried beans optional
  • Optional Toppings
  • Sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • Diced tomatoes
  • Green onions
  • Jalapeños
  • Avocado or guacamole
  • Fresh cilantro
  • Hot sauce

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13 baking dish.
  2. Cook ground beef in a skillet until browned.
  3. Add onion and garlic; cook until softened. Drain excess fat.
  4. Stir in taco seasoning and water; simmer 2–3 minutes.
  5. Mix in salsa, black beans, and corn. Heat for 2–3 minutes.
  6. Spread a layer of tortillas on the bottom of the baking dish.
  7. Add a layer of meat mixture, then sprinkle cheese.
  8. Repeat layers until ingredients are used, finishing with cheese on top.
  9. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
  10. Remove foil and bake another 10 minutes until bubbly and melted.
  11. Let rest 5–10 minutes before serving.
  12. Add toppings and serve warm.

Notes

  • Use ground turkey for a lighter version.
  • Don’t overfill layers to keep slices structured.
  • Let casserole rest before cutting for cleaner portions.
  • Can be assembled ahead and refrigerated up to 24 hours.
  • Freezes well for up to 2 months before or after baking.
  • Works great as a base for taco pasta casserole or taco tater tot casserole variations.