This mouthwatering taco casserole is a family favorite and will surely be a hit at your next gathering. Packed with flavorful ingredients and topped with gooey cheese, this casserole is easy to make and guarantees a satisfying meal. It's perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends when you crave a delicious Mexican-inspired dish.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 can (14 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 12 corn tortillas
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup sliced black olives
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup salsa
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the diced onion, minced garlic, and diced bell pepper to the skillet with the ground beef. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, until vegetables are tender.
- Stir in the drained diced tomatoes, black beans, tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Let the mixture simmer for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- In a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, spread a layer of the meat mixture on the bottom of the dish.
- Layer 6 corn tortillas on top of the meat mixture, slightly overlapping them.
- Spread half of the remaining meat mixture over the tortillas, then sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese on top.
- Repeat the layers with the remaining 6 tortillas, meat mixture, and another cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
- Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Once cooked, remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes.
- Garnish the casserole with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sliced black olives, chopped cilantro, sour cream, and salsa.
- Serve the taco casserole hot and enjoy!
Interesting Facts
This recipe can be easily customized by adding your favorite taco toppings like guacamole or jalapenos.
Leftover taco casserole can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
You can make this casserole ahead of time and refrigerate it until you're ready to bake it.
Taco casserole is a versatile dish that can be served as a main course or as a party appetizer.