This easy Taco Casserole recipe is perfect for a weeknight dinner or for entertaining friends. Packed full of irresistible Taco Tuesday flavor, this delicious family-friendly weeknight meal can be on the table in 30 minutes. Pair it with a batch of frozen margaritas and some homemade churros and you have a restaurant quality, taco night feast at home!
Reasons You’ll Love This Taco Casserole
First and foremost, this taco casserole is packed full of outstanding flavor!
Taco night the easy way! No frying shells and assembling tacos needed.
Picky-eater approved, this is a great family meal.
30 minutes start to finish, taking only 15 minutes of prep and 15 minutes of baking.
Customize your toppings to suit your tastes.
Being from the southwest, we love Mexican food. While tacos are always a favorite, let’s be honest, they can be a bit time consuming to make. If you are like me and don’t love frying up taco shells, then you are going to LOVE this easy Taco Casserole. It brings everything you love about tacos to an easy to make casserole.
Taco Casserole Ingredients
This is an overview of the ingredients you will need to make this easy Taco Casserole recipe. Important notes and substitutions for certain ingredients are discussed. The full printable recipe, with amounts and specific details, can be found at the bottom of the page.
Taco Casserole Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Corn Chips – A corn chip, like Fritos, is perfect in this recipe. These types of chips hold up better than tortilla chips, which tend to get soggy in the casserole. They also make a great topping.
- Ground Beef – Whatever ground beef you usually use will be fine in this taco casserole. You can also use ground turkey or chicken (might want to increase the seasoning) or even a meat substitute.
- Taco Seasoning – You can buy a seasoning packet or mix, or make your own. A quick recipe is to use a tablespoon of chili powder (this is my favorite) and then add in 1/4 teaspoon of each of the following: garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, paprika, salt and ground cumin. Want more heat?
- Refried Beans – Canned beans work great, or you can make homemade refried beans from pinto beans.
- Salsa – Use your favorite jar salsa, or make your favorite homemade version.
- Cheese – Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Colby Jack or a Mexican Blend all work.
- Toppings – Feel free to get creative with toppings!
How To Make Taco Casserole
Prepare The Taco Meat
- Preheat oven to 375 F. Cook ground beef until browned and fully cooked
- Add taco seasoning according to the directions on the package.
- Cook refried beans, combined with salsa and 1 cup of the cheese, until hot. This can be done on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Prepare The Casserole
- While ground beef is cooking, place crushed Fritos corn chips into the bottom of an 8×8 baking dish, or recipe can be doubled and placed in a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Spread bean mixture over the Fritos in the baking pan.
- Spread ground beef mixture over the beans.
- Sprinkle remaining 1 cup of cheese over the beef mixture.
- Bake for approximately 15 minutes as all ingredients are already cooked and hot, you are primarily just melting your cheese.
- Remove from oven and serve with assorted toppings
Taco Casserole Recipe Tips and Advice
Double up: This recipe is very easy to double if desired.
Make ahead: You can prepare this taco casserole in advance, then place in the oven when ready to use. Just note that the bake time will take a bit longer, as the ingredients will be cold. You could also bake it in advance and reheat individual servings in the microwave. Top with some fresh corn chips to ensure a nice crunch.
Storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
What To Serve With Taco Casserole
Wondering what to serve with taco casserole? Here are some of our favorite toppings and tasty sides.
Taco Casserole Topping Ideas
- Sour Cream
- Guacamole
- Tomatoes
- Green Onions
- Black Olives
- Red Onion
- Lime Juice
- Pico De Gallo
- Black Bean Salsa
- Green Bell Pepper or Red Bell Pepper
- Bean Dip
Taco Side Dishes
- Nachos
- Spanish Rice
- Refried Beans
- Mexican Street Corn, Corn Casserole or Sweet Corn
- Pinto Beans
- Black Beans
- Corn Salad
- Mexican Coleslaw
- Mexican Sweet Potatoes
- Frozen Margaritas
- 7 Layer Taco Dip
Desserts To Serve With Taco Casserole
- Churros
- Fried Ice Cream
- Tres Leches Cake
- Mexican Chocolate Ice Cream
- Churro Cheesecake
- Easy Dulce De Leche Cake
Recipe FAQs
Yes, taco casserole reheats very well. You can either microwave individual servings for 1-2 minutes, or place the casserole dish into the oven, at 350 degrees, for 20-30 minutes.
More Mexican Food Recipes To Try
Taco Casserole
Ingredients
Taco Casserole
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 standard size package taco seasoning
- 15 oz refried beans
- 2 cups grated cheese divided (Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, Cheddar or Mexican Blend)
- 1 cup mild salsa
- 2 cups Fritos Corn Chips lightly crushed
Toppings
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup sliced black olives
- 1 cup cut tomatoes
- 1 cup Fritos chips shredded cheese could also be used for this
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
Instructions
Taco Casserole
- Preheat oven to 375 F.
- Cook ground beef until browned and fully cooked. Add taco seasoning according to the directions on the package.
- While ground beef is cooking, place crushed Fritos into the bottom of an 8×8 baking dish.
- Cook refried beans, combined with salsa and 1 cup of the cheese, until hot. This can be done on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- Spread bean mixture over the Fritos in the baking pan.
- Spread ground beef mixture over the beans.
- Sprinkle remaining 1 cup of cheese over the beef mixture.
- Bake for approximately 15 minutes as all ingredients are already cooked and hot, you are primarily just melting your cheese.
- Remove from oven and serve with assorted toppings
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Originally posted August 2016. Photos and text updated March 2022.
Sharon Cook says
Love ALL of your Recipes.
Marilyn Smith says
I did not use beans because my husband did not want them. I love beans. I lined the rectangular casserole dish with 2 tortillas first. I thought this would help with serving. I then covered it with smashed tortilla chips. I sliced a small pepper piece & sliced chopped onions & cooked with chopped meat. I used taco powder as suggested & some cream cheese. Also,as directed added corn & black olives. Instead of tomatoes, I used Chi chi’s dip tomato sauce. I used 2 Mexican grated cheeses. I had enough for 2 casseroles, froze one. Loved it. By the way, I did cover with more crunchy tortilla chips.
candy says
this was awesome will make it again.
Anonymous says
OMG, so simple and delicious ! Thank you for sharing the recipe!
Cynthia says
Made this tonight and everyone loved it! Easy and delicious!
DM says
I make this frequently. A real crowd pleaser. Have alway had to double it unless it’s just me and my wife. We are both senior, senior, senior and don’t eat as much as we did when younger but with this recipe there is little left over.?
It’s the Fritos that make the difference from most recipes.