Taco Casserole

This Taco Casserole is the perfect weeknight dinner! It’s got tender ground beef, your favorite taco toppings, all on a homemade biscuit base. And the best part? It’s topped with shredded cheese and Doritos for a truly irresistible flavor and crunch. Plus, it makes great leftovers!

This recipe is the ultimate comfort food with a twist! It’s all your favorite taco flavors in an easy-to-make, family-friendly casserole. And the crunchy Doritos on top? They take this casserole to a whole new level of yum!

Love this casserole? Then you’ve got to try my taco stuffed shells for another fun twist on taco night. And for a classic favorite, my taco soup is always a hit with its hearty, flavorful broth and all the best taco toppings!

Why I Love This Recipe

• Family Favorite: This taco casserole is a hit with the whole family. It’s made with classic taco ingredients, so it’s familiar and comforting.
• Homemade Crust: The homemade crust sets this casserole apart. It’s flaky and buttery and adds the perfect touch to the dish. A lot of other recipes I found in the cookbook used a ready-made crust and I like cooking from scratch when I can. It guarantees I have the ingredients.
• Flavor-Packed: Despite being a simple recipe, this casserole is absolutely loaded with flavor. The combination of the seasoned ground beef, veggies, and cheese is a real winner.
• Simple Ingredients: This recipe uses ingredients you probably already use with your regular taco night. It is fully customizable based on your family’s needs.

Key Ingredients

• All-Purpose Flour – This is the base of our crust, giving it structure and a delicious, flaky texture. Just make sure to measure it properly for the best results.
• Salt – A pinch of salt really helps to bring out the flavors of the other ingredients in the crust, making it more savory.
• Cold Butter – When the cold butter melts in the oven, it creates steam that helps make the crust light and flaky.
• Cold Milk – Like the butter, the cold milk helps with the flakiness of the crust as it bakes.
• Ground Beef – This is the star of our filling. Make sure to fully cook it before adding it to the casserole.
• Onion, Bell Peppers, and Tomatoes – These veggies add a pop of color, freshness, and a ton of flavor to the dish.
• Homemade Taco Seasoning – The blend of spices in the taco seasoning gives the ground beef a delicious, smoky, and slightly spicy flavor.
• Shredded Cheese – This will give our casserole a gooey, cheesy topping that everyone will love.
• Crushed Doritos – This is a fun twist that adds a bit of crunch to the top of the casserole. You could also use regular tortilla chips if you prefer.
• Avocado, Salsa, and Lettuce – This would be delicious served alongside these ingredients!

Equipment

• Large Bowl – You’ll need this to combine the flour, salt, and baking powder for the crust. It’s also where you’ll cut in the cold butter and stir in the milk.
• Knife – This is essential for chopping the onions, peppers, and tomatoes for the filling.
• Square baking pan – This is where you’ll spread the crust mixture and layer the filling. It’s also where the casserole will bake in the oven.

How to Make Taco Casserole

Preparation

Start by preheating your oven to 350˚ F and greasing a square baking pan. This will make sure that your casserole doesn’t stick to the pan.

Step 1 – Prepare the Crust

Combine flour, salt, and baking powder. Cut in the cold butter, then add the milk. This will be the base of your casserole. Spread this mixture into the baking pan and bake it until the top is golden brown.

Step 2 – Prepare the Filling

In a small bowl, mix the salad dressing and sour cream. In a separate pan, brown the ground beef with the chopped peppers and onions. Drain the fat. Add the diced tomatoes and taco seasoning. Warm through.

Step 3 – Assemble the Casserole

Once the crust is done, it’s time to layer the filling on top of it. First, spread the sour cream mixture, then add the cooked and seasoned ground beef. Next, layer on the onions, peppers, and tomatoes. Sprinkle the chopped Doritos and cheese on top of that.

Step 4 – Bake the Casserole

Pop the casserole in the oven and bake it for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted. This will bring all the flavors together and give your casserole a gooey, cheesy finish.

Expert Tip

Because of the short baking time to melt the cheese, do not make the ground beef ahead of time as it needs to be hot as part of the casserole assembly.

Recipe Variations

• Different Meat: This taco casserole is traditionally made with ground beef, but you can also try it with ground turkey or even shredded chicken for a lighter twist.
• Vegetarian: For a meatless version, simply omit the ground beef and add extra veggies like black beans, corn, and diced zucchini to the filling. My black bean burgers are another great option!
• Spicier: If you like your food with a kick, add some chopped jalapenos to the filling or sprinkle some red pepper flakes over the top before baking.

What to Serve With

• For a complete meal, serve this taco casserole with a side of Mexican-style rice and a crisp, green salad. The flavors and textures complement each other for a satisfying and delicious dinner.
• Since this casserole has all the flavors of a classic taco, it pairs wonderfully with tortilla chips and your favorite dips. Try it with guacamole, salsa, or even a creamy queso dip.

Recipe FAQs

Storing and Reheating

• Storing: After serving the delicious taco casserole, you can store any leftovers in the fridge. Just make sure to let it cool down to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to three days.
• Freezing: This casserole is freezer-friendly. After it has completely cooled, you can freeze it in a freezer-safe dish. If you prefer to freeze individual portions, cut the casserole into squares and wrap them in plastic wrap before placing them in a freezer-safe bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to three months.
• Thaw: When you’re ready to enjoy the frozen casserole, simply let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
• Reheating: You can reheat individual portions in the microwave for a quick and easy meal. If you’re reheating the entire casserole, place it in a preheated 350°F oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until it’s heated through.

Serving Size

• What to Expect: This taco casserole recipe yields a hearty casserole dish, enough to serve 8-10 people.
• How to Scale: If you’re expecting a larger crowd or just want to have some leftovers, you can easily double the recipe and use a 9×13 baking pan. Increase the baking time of the bottom crust by 5-10 minutes for the best results.