Beefy Taco Casserole
All the bold flavors of taco night layered into a 60-minute, comfort-food casserole with lean Ground Beef, beans, veggies and taco seasoning stacked with corn tortillas, sour cream and cheese, then baked until bubbly. Serve with lettuce, salsa and guacamole for an easy weeknight crowd-pleaser.
Recipe Courtesy Of:
Cook Time: 60 Minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients: 14
Ingredients
Optional Toppings
Preparation
-
Step 1
Preheat oven to 350° F. Spray a 9×13 pan with cooking spray and set aside.
-
Step 2
Heat a large sauté pan to MEDIUM heat. When hot, add beef and chopped onion. Cook together for 10-12 minutes until brown. Drain any excess fat.
-
Step 3
Add mushrooms, bell pepper, beans, tomatoes, green chilies and taco seasoning to pan. Simmer for 5 minutes.
-
Step 4
Place half of the tortillas on the bottom of the 9×13 pan (ripping them as needed to create a single layer covering the bottom of the pan). Top tortillas with half of beef mixture. Dollop sour cream on beef mixture and spread using the back of a spoon. Place the rest of the tortillas in a single layer over the sour cream (ripping them as needed). Top with remainder of beef mixture. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake for 25 minutes.
Nutrition Information
364 Calories
6.1g SAT FAT
26g PROTEIN
3.4 mg IRON
4.9 mg ZINC
* Based on a 2,000 calorie diet
** Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet
The Essential Ingredients
Ground Beef: Also called ‘hamburger,’ is made by grinding beef cuts and beef trim. It works well in dishes that require crumbles, and typically any leanness of Ground Beef works well in dishes – just be sure to drain any remaining fat after cooking.
Corn Tortilla: Made from finely ground corn – masa harina – these tortillas are a staple in many Latin dishes.
Taco Seasoning: A convenient way to season beef. These pre-made packets often contain chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Store-bought versions tend to be milder than spicy.
Shredded Cheese: A convenient way to add cheese to a dish. Typically found in a bag, cheese in many flavors comes pre-shredded into uniform shreds for optimal melting and sprinkling.
Sour Cream: A rich and tangy dairy product that is made by fermenting cream. Great for baked potatoes, tacos, and soups.
Safe Handling Tips:
- Wash hands with soap and water before cooking and always after touching raw meat.
- Separate raw meat from other foods.
- Wash all cutting boards, utensils, and dishes after touching raw meat.
- Do not reuse marinades used on raw foods.
- Wash all produce prior to use.
- Cook steaks and roasts until temperature reaches 145°F for medium rare, as measured by a meat thermometer, allowing to rest for three minutes.
- Cook Ground Beef to 160°F as measured by a meat thermometer.
- Refrigerate leftovers promptly.
For more information on degree of doneness and other cooking tips.
For more information on safe food handling and beef safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Can I leave out the mushrooms without ruining the recipe?
Yes. The finely diced white mushrooms are included primarily to add hidden nutrients and volume while blending seamlessly into the lean ground beef. You can completely omit them, or substitute them with extra bell peppers without changing the consistency of the taco filling.
-
How can I prevent the diced tomatoes from making the casserole watery?
To keep the casserole filling dense and scoopable, you must completely drain the canned diced tomatoes in a colander before adding them to the sauté pan. Skipping this step introduces excessive packing juices into the beef mixture, which will pool at the bottom of your 9×13 pan and make the base layer of tortillas mushy.
-
What cheese melts best on top of this taco casserole?
For an authentic Tex-Mex melt, use freshly shredded Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, or Colby Jack cheese. Avoid using pre-packaged, bagged shredded cheeses if you want a smooth melt, as they are coated in anti-caking starches that cause the cheese to brown unevenly and turn grainy.
Related Recipes
Browse Recipes by Category
Google
Create an account then Cook, Save, & Share!
Register now to save favorites and discover new recipes every week.
Continue to SaveAlready have an account? Log In
