Ingredients (Serves 6)

Main Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade)
• ¾ cup water
• 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 1 cup salsa
• 2 cups shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
• 6 small flour tortillas or tortilla chips
• 1 can black beans, drained (optional)
• 1 cup corn kernels (optional)

Toppings

• Sour cream
• Sliced green onions
• Cilantro
• Diced avocado
• Jalapeños

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven

• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
• Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

2. Cook the Beef

• Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
• Cook onion until softened.
• Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
• Add ground beef and cook until browned.
• Drain excess grease if needed.

3. Season the Filling

• Stir in taco seasoning and water.
• Add diced tomatoes, salsa, black beans, and corn if using.
• Simmer 3–5 minutes.

4. Layer the Bake

• Spread a thin layer of meat mixture in the baking dish.
• Add tortillas (or crushed tortilla chips).
• Layer with beef mixture and cheese.
• Repeat layers, finishing with cheese on top.

5. Bake

• Cover loosely with foil.
• Bake 20 minutes.
• Remove foil and bake another 10 minutes until bubbly and golden.

6. Serve

• Let rest 5 minutes before slicing.
• Add favorite toppings and serve hot.

Tips for Best Results

Don’t Oversoak Tortillas

Too much liquid can make the casserole soggy.

Use Freshly Shredded Cheese

It melts smoother than pre-shredded cheese.

Make It Crunchy

Add crushed tortilla chips on top during the last 5 minutes of baking.

Spice Level

• Mild → use mild salsa
• Medium → add jalapeños
• Hot → add chipotle or hot sauce

Variations

Chicken Taco Bake

Swap beef for shredded chicken.

Low-Carb Version

Use low-carb tortillas or skip tortillas entirely.

Vegetarian

Use beans, lentils, and sautéed vegetables instead of meat.

Dorito Taco Bake

Replace tortillas with crushed nacho cheese chips.

Serving Ideas

• Mexican rice
• Guacamole
• Refried beans
• Corn salad
• Lime wedges

Storage

• Refrigerate up to 4 days
• Freeze up to 2 months
• Reheat covered in oven or microwave