Cheesy Taco Beef Casserole Recipe

About

Layers of seasoned ground beef, corn tortillas, and gooey melted cheese baked together into a hearty, crowd-pleasing weeknight casserole. Bold taco flavors come together in every bite for a satisfying family dinner.

1. 1

   Preheat Oven

   preheat 10 min

   Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 375°F. Allow at least 10 minutes for the oven to fully reach temperature before baking the casserole. While the oven heats, begin prepping the filling.

2. 2

   Dice Onion and Mince Garlic

   prep 5 min

   Dice the yellow onion into small, even pieces and mince the garlic cloves finely. Having these ready before cooking the beef ensures a smooth workflow once the skillet is hot.

3. 3

   Brown the Ground Beef

   cook 6 min

   Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, and cook for 5–6 minutes until no pink remains and the meat is well browned. Season with salt and black pepper, then drain any excess fat from the pan.

4. 4

   Sauté Onion and Garlic

   cook 5 min

   Reduce the heat to medium and add the diced onion to the skillet with the browned beef. Cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.

5. 5

   Add Seasoning and Beans

   cook 4 min

   Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the beef and onion mixture and stir well to coat evenly. Add the drained diced tomatoes with green chiles and the drained black beans, stirring to combine. Let the mixture simmer for 3–4 minutes over medium heat until slightly thickened and fragrant.

6. 6

   Layer the Casserole

   prep 5 min

   Lightly grease the 9x13 baking dish. Spread a thin layer of the beef mixture on the bottom, then lay 4 corn tortillas over it, overlapping as needed to cover. Spread half the remaining beef mixture over the tortillas, dollop half the sour cream in spoonfuls, and sprinkle with 1 cup of shredded cheese. Repeat with the remaining 4 tortillas, beef mixture, sour cream, and finish with the remaining 1 cup of cheese on top.

7. 7

   Bake the Casserole

   cook 30 min

   Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake at 375°F for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese on top is fully melted, bubbly, and lightly golden at the edges. The internal temperature of the casserole should reach at least 165°F.

8. 8

   Rest the Casserole

   rest 5 min

   Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest uncovered for 5 minutes. This allows the layers to set slightly so the casserole holds together when sliced and served.

9. 9

   Garnish and Serve

   serve

   Cut the casserole into 4 generous portions and transfer to plates or serve directly from the baking dish. Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro and sliced jalapeño, if desired. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy.