Irresistible Taco Casserole with Tortillas Recipe for Taco Tuesday

Crafting a mouthwatering taco casserole with tortillas brings comfort and excitement to your dinner table.

Layers of savory ingredients promise a delightful culinary adventure that breaks away from traditional meal patterns.

Cheesy, zesty, and packed with bold flavors, this dish turns an ordinary evening into a fiesta of tastes.

Crisp tortillas mingle with seasoned meat, creating a symphony of textures that dance across your palate.

Mexican-inspired spices weave through each bite, telling a story of culinary creativity.

Home cooks can easily assemble this crowd-pleasing meal with simple ingredients and minimal prep time.

Dive into this scrumptious casserole and watch as smiles spread around the table.

Why Taco Casserole With Tortillas Hits the Spot

• Perfect for busy weeknights, this taco casserole delivers delicious Mexican-inspired flavors in under an hour.
• Swap ingredients like ground turkey or vegetarian protein, add extra veggies, or adjust spice levels to suit everyone's taste preferences.
• Using affordable pantry staples like tortillas, ground beef, and canned beans makes this recipe wallet-friendly while feeding multiple hungry mouths.
• Minimize kitchen cleanup with this simple casserole that combines all ingredients in a single baking dish, reducing post-meal dishwashing hassle.

Taco Casserole With Tortillas Ingredients You’ll Need

• Ground Beef: Rich meat for creating a hearty, flavorful base with robust protein content. Choose lean ground beef for healthier option.
• Black Beans: Additional protein source with extra texture and nutrition. Canned beans work perfectly.

• Onion: Adds depth and sweetness to the meat mixture. Fresh white or yellow onions recommended.
• Corn: Sweet vegetable that provides extra texture and flavor. Frozen or canned corn both suitable.
• Rotel Tomatoes: Spicy tomato blend that adds moisture and zesty flavor. Provides built-in seasoning.

• Tortillas: Corn or flour tortillas create layered structure. Soft tortillas work best for casserole style.
• Salsa: Adds moisture and additional flavor throughout the dish. Choose medium or mild for balanced heat.
• Taco Seasoning: Provides classic Mexican-inspired flavor profile. Store-bought or homemade seasoning works.
• Shredded Cheese: Melts beautifully and creates golden brown topping. Sharp cheddar or Mexican blend recommended.
• Sour Cream: Optional creamy layer that adds richness. Full-fat version provides best texture.

• Cilantro: Fresh herb for bright final touch.
• Jalapeños: Adds extra heat for spice lovers.
• Guacamole: Optional side or topping for serving.

How to Make Taco Casserole With Tortillas Step-by-Step

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to 375F (190C) and get ready for a flavor explosion.

Step 2: Craft the Flavor-Packed Filling

In a large skillet, brown ground beef and onions until they’re sizzling and golden.

• Taco seasoning
• Rotel tomatoes
• Black beans
• Corn

Let everything mingle and simmer for 5 minutes.

Step 3: Build the Tasty Tower

Spread a salsa base in a 9×13-inch baking dish.

Layer tortillas to cover the bottom, overlapping as needed.

Spread half the meat mixture over the tortillas.

Add a dollop of sour cream.

Sprinkle a generous handful of cheese.

Repeat the layers one more time.

Top with final tortillas, a salsa blanket, and a cheese crown.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.

Uncover and bake 10-15 more minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 5: Serve and Celebrate

Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes.

Sprinkle with fresh cilantro.

Serve with your favorite zingy toppings like guacamole, salsa, or jalapeños.

Taco Casserole With Tortillas Tips You Can Count On

• Customize Your Protein: Swap ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for a lighter or vegetarian version of the casserole.
• Control Spice Levels: Adjust the heat by selecting mild or hot taco seasoning and choosing between regular or fire-roasted Rotel tomatoes based on your preference.
• Optimize Cheese Melting: Use freshly shredded cheese instead of pre-packaged for smoother melting and better flavor integration throughout the casserole.
• Prevent Soggy Bottom: Pat black beans and corn dry before adding to the meat mixture to reduce excess moisture and maintain a crisp tortilla texture.
• Make Ahead and Freeze: Assemble the entire casserole, cover tightly with plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as directed.

Best Storage for Taco Casserole With Tortillas Leftovers

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the casserole fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Wrap the casserole tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 2 months to preserve its delicious flavors.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then warm at 350F for 15-20 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying out and maintain moisture.
• Heat individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even warming and preserve the casserole's texture.

Side Ideas for Taco Casserole With Tortillas

• Crack open a crisp Corona or Modelo Especial to complement the spicy, bold flavors of the taco casserole. The light beer cuts through the richness of the cheese and ground beef, refreshing your palate with each bite.
• Blend fresh avocado, tequila, lime juice, and a touch of agave for a smooth, tangy cocktail that mirrors the casserole's tex-mex profile. The drink's creaminess balances the dish's spicy and savory elements.
• Chop ripe tomatoes, red onions, cilantro, and jalapeños to create a bright, zesty side salad. The raw, fresh ingredients provide a cool contrast to the warm, cheesy casserole and add extra texture to the meal.
• Mix red wine with sparkling water, fresh orange slices, and a hint of cinnamon. This light, fruity drink offers a sweet counterpoint to the casserole's bold, spicy flavors and cleanses the palate between bites.

Creative Twists on Taco Casserole With Tortillas

• Vegetarian Delight: Replace ground beef with plant-based protein like crumbled tofu, lentils, or black beans for a meat-free version packed with nutrition.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular tortillas with gluten-free corn tortillas to accommodate those with wheat sensitivities while maintaining the classic casserole texture.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Use cauliflower tortillas or zucchini rounds instead of traditional tortillas to reduce carbohydrate content and add extra vegetables to the dish.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Substitute dairy cheese with nutritional yeast or dairy-free cheese alternatives and use coconut cream instead of sour cream for those avoiding milk products.

Taco Casserole With Tortillas Recipe

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4.6 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Southwestern Taco Casserole brings layers of spicy ground beef, melted cheese, and crisp tortillas dancing together in one comforting dish. Packed with bold flavors and easy preparation, this casserole delivers a satisfying meal that will have you craving seconds.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein and Meat:

• 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef or ground turkey

Vegetables and Canned Goods:

• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 (10 ounces) can Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 1 (15 ounces) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup frozen corn

Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:

• 1 packet taco seasoning or 2 tablespoons homemade taco seasoning
• 8 small flour or corn tortillas
• 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
• 1 cup salsa
• ½ cup sour cream
• ¼ cup chopped cilantro

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to a moderate temperature of 375F (190C), ensuring an even cooking atmosphere.
2. In a spacious skillet, transform ground beef and diced onion through robust sautéing until the meat achieves a rich, caramelized brown appearance.
3. Enhance the meat mixture with vibrant taco seasoning, zesty Rotel tomatoes, hearty black beans, and sweet corn, allowing these components to meld and intensify flavors during a brief five-minute simmer.
4. Create a foundational layer of salsa across the bottom of a rectangular baking vessel, establishing a moisture-rich base.
5. Strategically arrange tortillas to completely blanket the salsa, overlapping edges to ensure comprehensive coverage.
6. Distribute the spiced meat mixture evenly across the tortilla foundation, creating a robust initial layer.
7. Introduce dollops of creamy sour cream and generously scatter the first portion of shredded cheese, promoting a luxurious texture.
8. Replicate the layering process with additional tortillas, meat mixture, and cheese, building complexity and depth.
9. Crown the casserole with a final tortilla layer, painting its surface with a vibrant salsa glaze and completing the cheese coverage.
10. Shield the dish with aluminum foil, initiating the baking process to develop internal flavors and moisture.
11. Unveil the casserole during the final cooking stage, allowing the cheese to transform into a golden, bubbling masterpiece.
12. Allow the casserole a brief resting period to stabilize its structure and intensify its flavors.
13. Elevate the presentation by garnishing with fresh cilantro and accompanying with complementary toppings like guacamole, additional salsa, or spicy jalapeños.

Notes

• Choose lean ground beef to reduce excess grease and create a lighter dish.
• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a healthier, lower-fat alternative.
• Enhance flavor by using homemade taco seasoning instead of pre-packaged mixes, controlling sodium and preservative levels.
• Customize the spice level by adjusting the type of salsa or adding fresh diced jalapeños for extra heat.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 460
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 8 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg