Easy taco casserole is beef, cheese, and tortilla chips layered up and loaded with rich flavor throughout. It is an easy-to-make, crowd-pleasing dinner that will be a hit with everyone! Isn’t Mexican food so delicious?! We love it so much around our house! If you want to make some delicious side dishes to go with this casserole, then you should make this Mexican Rice, these homemade tortilla chips, and then end the night with Tres Leches for dessert!
Easy Taco Casserole Recipe
I was told about easy taco casserole by a friend who said that I just had to make it! Once I tried out this recipe, it quickly became a favorite! I loved it because it was so easy to throw together! I already had the ingredients on hand, and within 20 minutes, it was already in the oven! On top of being easy, this taco casserole was absolutely delicious. It had perfect taco flavor, and I loved the crunch from the tortilla chips. Everyone loved it! There is really no end to how buildable and versatile this casserole is. My kids were content to keep it simple with just meat, cheese, and chips, while I layered it up with my favorite toppings. I added avocado, sour cream, cilantro, and chopped lettuce! It was a fun way to mix up a taco night!
Taco Casserole Ingredients
The base of these ingredients is so easy, and you probably already have most of them on hand! Check out the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact measurements.
Hamburger meat: Lean ground beef is best for less grease and tender meat.Onion: You combine this with the meat to cook, which infuses a lot of flavors. Tomato Soup: This is what you will simmer the meat in. Water: The water helps cook the meat and incorporate seasonings.Taco Seasoning: You can make your own homemade taco seasoning with this recipe or packaged seasoning works well with these tacos too. Tortilla Chips: Adds a crunch to the casserole. Make them at home in the air fryer with this recipe!Grated Mexican Cheese: Helps bind the casserole together and gives great flavor!Toppings: Lettuce, cilantro, avocado, tomatoes, olives, and anything else that you love!
How to Make a Taco Casserole
This taco casserole is so easy to make. And I love that I can make it ahead of time and freeze it for later! See the tips below on how to store it and freeze it for later.
Protein: Try it with ground turkey, ground chicken, shredded chicken, shredded pork, or finely sliced steak (sirloin, flank steak, or skirt steak is best).Cheese: Pepper jack is awesome in this casserole, but any of your favorite cheeses will work. I encourage you to use freshly grated cheese. It works better for melting because pre-shredded cheese is often coated with preservatives that keep it from melting properly.Chips: For more flavor, try Doritos or Fritos instead of the tortilla chips. Or, if you plan to freeze or make ahead, try flour or corn tortillas instead of chips.Layers: Refried beans, guacamole, salsa, black or pinto beans, rice, or tater tots all make great layer additions or substitutions.Optional Garnish: Cherry tomatoes, green onion, cilantro, sour cream, sliced avocado, serrano peppers, red bell peppers, pico de gallo, sliced olives, or diced jalapenos.
To Store AFTER Baking: Let cool, then place in an airtight container, refrigerate, and use within 3-4 days.Make and Take: Make in a foil pan if planning to deliver to a friend or family member. This way, they can just dispose of the pan when they are done enjoying the meal. Write the baking directions on the top of the foil pan for them, so they have heating directions handy.
Best EVER Ground Beef Tacos
Amazing Street Tacos
8 Can Chicken Taco Soup
Beef Taco Salad
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods and portion sizes per household.
The Best Homemade Alfredo Sauce Recipe Ever!
Insanely Delicious Prime Rib Recipe
Lemon Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Pasta
