Cheesy Taco Casserole Recipe

When Sarah first served her signature cheesy taco casserole at the neighborhood potluck, everyone wanted the recipe. You'll discover why this dish transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal that's both comforting and exciting. With simple techniques and everyday pantry staples, you'll create a crowd-pleasing dinner that comes together faster than ordering takeout. Want to know how to make a casserole that'll have your family asking for seconds?

Recipe Highlights

• Brown ground beef in a skillet, drain fat, and mix with taco seasoning for a flavorful base that captures authentic Mexican-American taste.
• Layer corn tortillas evenly in a baking dish to create a solid foundation for the casserole's structure and texture.
• Pour enchilada sauce over seasoned beef to ensure moisture and enhance the dish's rich, tangy flavor profile.
• Sprinkle shredded cheese generously across the top, baking at 350°F for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and bubbly.
• Customize with optional toppings like sour cream, and consider preparing ahead of time as leftovers improve overnight.

History

Though taco casseroles might seem like a modern culinary invention, they actually have deep roots in Mexican-American cuisine. Your favorite comfort dish evolved from traditional Mexican layered recipes like cazuelas and enchiladas, which immigrants adapted after arriving in the United States.

These early culinary pioneers transformed regional ingredients into hearty, budget-friendly meals that could feed large families.

The casserole's popularity surged in the 1950s and 1960s, when convenient packaged ingredients like canned enchilada sauce and pre-mixed taco seasonings became widely available. Home cooks began experimenting with quick, one-dish meals that combined familiar Mexican flavors with American cooking techniques.

You'll find that this recipe represents a delicious cultural fusion, celebrating the creativity of home cooks who transformed simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Recipe

Cheesy Taco Casserole is a delightful one-dish meal that brings the vibrant flavors of Mexican cuisine directly to your dinner table. This comforting recipe transforms simple ingredients into a mouthwatering casserole that combines seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, and crispy tortillas into a crowd-pleasing dinner option.

Perfect for busy families and casual gatherings, this casserole offers a convenient way to enjoy taco-inspired flavors without the individual assembly required for traditional tacos. The layered approach ensures each bite is packed with robust seasonings and gooey cheese, creating a satisfying meal that comes together in under an hour.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
• 12 corn tortillas
• 1 can (15 oz) enchilada sauce

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F and preparing a 9×13 inch baking dish. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat, thoroughly cooking until no pink remains. Drain any excess fat, then stir in the taco seasoning, ensuring the meat is completely coated with the spices.

Layer the bottom of the baking dish with corn tortillas, creating a complete base layer. Spread half the seasoned beef over the tortillas, then pour half the enchilada sauce and sprinkle one cup of cheese. Repeat the layers, finishing with a final layer of cheese on top. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and slightly golden around the edges.

For best results, let the casserole rest for 10 minutes after removing from the oven, which allows the layers to set and makes cutting and serving easier. You can prepare this dish in advance by assembling it and refrigerating up to 24 hours before baking, making it an excellent option for meal planning and entertaining.

Cooking Steps

Start by browning your ground beef in a skillet, carefully draining excess fat and mixing in the zesty taco seasoning to create a flavorful base.

Layer your corn tortillas strategically in the baking dish, ensuring even coverage and creating a solid foundation for your casserole's delicious layers.

Pour the enchilada sauce methodically, sprinkle cheese generously, and bake until the top turns a tempting golden brown that signals a perfectly prepared meal.

Step 1. Brown Ground Beef

Fire up your skillet and get ready to transform that ground beef into a flavor-packed base for your Cheesy Taco Casserole.

Start with a large skillet over medium heat, breaking up the lean ground beef into small, uniform crumbles as it cooks. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to continuously stir, ensuring even browning and preventing sticking.

Key browning tips:

• Cook until no pink remains
• Drain excess fat completely
• Season immediately after browning

Once the meat is fully cooked, drain off any visible grease using a colander or by carefully tilting the pan.

Return the beef to the skillet, then sprinkle the taco seasoning directly over the meat. Stir thoroughly, allowing the spices to coat each beef crumble and develop deep, rich flavor profiles that'll make your casserole irresistible.

Step 2. Layer Tortillas Carefully

After perfectly browning your seasoned beef, you'll want to create a sturdy foundation for your taco casserole by layering corn tortillas with precision.

Start by lightly coating the bottom of your 9×13 inch baking dish with a thin layer of enchilada sauce, which prevents sticking and adds moisture.

Arrange your corn tortillas carefully, slightly overlapping them to cover the entire dish bottom. Ensure complete coverage without gaps, which might lead to uneven cooking.

Press the tortillas gently to create a uniform base that'll support the beef and cheese layers.

When layering, aim for:

• Even tortilla distribution
• Minimal sauce pooling
• Consistent layer thickness

Your goal is a structurally sound casserole with delightful textural variations in every bite.

Step 3. Add Enchilada Sauce

The second your browned beef is ready, it's time to introduce the enchilada sauce, which will transform your taco casserole from good to extraordinary. Pour the entire 15-ounce can of enchilada sauce evenly over the seasoned meat, ensuring complete coverage. Use a spatula to spread the sauce, allowing it to mingle with the beef's spicy seasonings and create a rich, unified base layer.

• Tip: Choose red enchilada sauce for traditional flavor
• Distribute sauce carefully to prevent dry spots
• Let sauce slightly seep between meat layers

When layering your casserole, spoon the sauced beef methodically, creating a consistent depth across the baking dish. The sauce not only adds moisture but intensifies the overall Mexican-inspired flavor profile, ensuring each bite is thoroughly seasoned and deliciously moist.

Step 4. Sprinkle Remaining Cheese Evenly

Generously sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded Mexican cheese blend across the top layer of your taco casserole, creating a complete, even coverage that'll melt into a golden, bubbly surface. Aim for uniform distribution, using your fingers or a spto the cheese to each corner and edge.

Focus ensuring no section is leftout. By covering the entire casserole, cheese you'll a cheese-that'll crisp and brown beauthe maintainingining a molten,ness g. cheese will create a protective layer, sealing in moisture and preventing, tantalizing golden-brown finish that'll: have your family eager to dig in.this cheHumanesy Taco Casserole masterpiece.

Step 5. Bake Until Golden Brown

When you're ready to transform your layered taco casserole into a bubbling, golden-brown masterpiece, carefully slide the baking dish into a preheated 350°F oven.

The heat will work magic, melting the cheese into a rich, gooey layer while crisping the tortilla edges to perfection. Watch for visual cues: the cheese should become completely melted, with slight golden-brown spots forming across the top surface.

You'll want to bake for 25-30 minutes, ensuring the casserole is heated thoroughly and the cheese develops a tempting, slightly crisp texture. For the best results, rotate the dish halfway through baking to promote even browning.

Once done, the casserole will emerge with a beautiful, appetizing golden-brown finish that promises delicious flavors and textures in every bite.

Final Thoughts

Because every great recipe tells a story, this Cheesy Taco Casserole captures the essence of comfort food with its rich layers and bold flavors.

You'll find this dish isn't just a meal, but a culinary experience that transforms simple ingredients into something extraordinary. The beauty of this casserole lies in its versatility—you can easily customize it with additional toppings like diced jalapeños, fresh cilantro, or a dollop of sour cream.

Consider making extra to enjoy leftovers, as the flavors meld and intensify overnight. Whether you're feeding a hungry family or hosting a casual gathering, this recipe promises to become a go-to favorite that'll have everyone asking for seconds.

Embrace the delicious simplicity of this Mexican-inspired comfort classic.