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Easy Taco Casserole Recipe

Published: / Updated: / 88 Comments

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This taco casserole recipe has tender ground beef, all the best taco flavors, tons of cheese, and a layer of Doritos! It's the ultimate easy comfort food for busy families. 

Love casseroles? Try my Simple Ground Beef Casserole, Simple Breakfast Casserole, or check out all my casserole recipes.

close-up of taco casserole on a metal spatula

Make it the best Taco Tuesday ever

Your whole family will thank you for making this simple taco casserole since it's just so tasty. Like, they're going to get really excited for next taco night. It's also super customizable, so everyone can load it up with their favorite toppings!

Taco flavors, black beans, salsa, and ground beef all dressed up in a hot and cheesy casserole... who says no? Even your pickiest eaters are going to devour this meal. It's also fairly inexpensive!

Make it with a side salad with this Chipotle Cilantro Lime Ranch Dressing, and you're all set.

Ingredients you'll need

  • Olive oil - for frying the ground beef
  • Ground beef - I like to use lean ground beef. Try 90%
  • Doritos - use your favorite flavor. I picked nacho cheese. You can also add some on top for an extra crunch!
  • Onion - makes a great savory base
  • Chili powder, garlic powder, ground cumin - this trio makes a delicious homemade taco seasoning
  • Beans - I prefer black beans, but you could do a layer of refried beans instead!
  • Corn - we're using canned corn to make this hassle free
  • Salsa - pick up a jar of your preferred brand
  • Cheese - I used a Tex-Mex blend, but cheddar would work great

Suggested toppings:

  • Fresh tomatoes
  • Chopped cilantro and scallions
  • Avocado or guacamole
  • Black olives
  • Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
  • Iceberg or romaine lettuce
ingredients in small bowls for taco casserole

How to make taco casserole

This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.

cooking ground beef with onion and spices in a cast iron skillet

Preheat the oven to 350. In a cast iron skillet cook the beef in the olive oil. After about 5 minutes, stir in the onion and spices. Continue cooking, and then spoon out any excess fat.

adding in corn, cheese, salsa, and black beans

Add in the corn, salsa, beans, and half the cheese. Warm until the cheese melts.

adding doritos and beef mixture to a casserole dish

Place an even layer of Doritos in a 9x13 baking dish. Spoon the beef mixture over top.

taco casserole with cheese before and after baking

Top the casserole with the remaining cheese, and then bake uncovered for about 15-20 minutes or until hot and melty! Serve as-is or with toppings of your choice.

Can I make taco casserole ahead of time?

  • You bet! Simply cook the onion, spices, and beef mixture, assemble the layers in a baking dish, let it cool, and then tightly cover.
  • It'll keep in the fridge for a day or two, or you can freeze it for up to a month.
  • If frozen, thaw in the fridge overnight before baking. Since it'll be starting out cold, it'll need a bit more time than in the original instructions. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes, and then uncover it cook for another 15 minutes or so until it's hot.
  • These disposable aluminum baking pans are perfect if you're bringing it to a potluck or making several.

Substitutions and variations

  • You don't have to use Doritos. Other tortilla chips or Fritos will definitely work in this taco bake!
  • Use a ready-made taco seasoning blend if you prefer not to use the individual spices.
  • You could add more veggies such as red bell peppers to this casserole. I'd add them in at the same time as the onion. 
  • Feel free to swap the black beans with another kind if you prefer, like kidney beans or pinto beans. 
  • If you want to add some heat, use a medium or spicy salsa, hot cheese blend, add some cayenne pepper, or you could even toss in some spicy chopped green chilies. 

Leftovers and storage

  • If you have any leftovers, they will keep in the fridge for 2-3 days in a covered container. Keep in mind the Doritos will lose firmness over time.
  • Reheat in the oven for best results, but you can also microwave until heated through.
  • Leftovers can also be frozen. I portion them up in individual containers.

More Tex-Mex recipes you'll love

a baking dish with taco casserole

Did you make this taco casserole with Doritos? Questions? Ask me in the comments below! 

close-up of taco casserole on a metal spatula

Easy Taco Casserole Recipe

This taco casserole recipe has tender ground beef, all the best taco flavors, tons of cheese, and a layer of Doritos! It's the ultimate easy comfort food for busy families.
4.79 from 33 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Total Time 40 mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 441 kcal

Ingredients
 

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 2 cups crushed Doritos I used Nacho Cheese flavor
  • 1/2 medium onion chopped
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 (14 fluid ounce) can black beans drained & rinsed
  • 1 (12 fluid ounce) can corn drained
  • 1 (15.5 ounce) jar salsa use your favorite kind
  • 2 cups shredded Tex-Mex cheese blend (or use cheddar)
  • Toppings (optional, to taste): tomatoes, cilantro, scallions, avocado, black olives, sour cream, lettuce, etc.

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350F and move the rack to the middle position. Prep your ingredients.
  • Add the oil and ground beef to a skillet. Cook, breaking up the meat as you go along, for 5 minutes over medium-high heat.
  • Stir in the onion, chili powder, garlic powder, and ground cumin, and continue cooking for another 5 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, add the crushed Doritos in an even layer to the bottom of a 9x13 (or similar size) casserole dish.
  • If there's a lot of excess fat in the skillet, spoon most of it out. Stir in the beans, corn, salsa, and half the cheese. Let it warm through (until the cheese melts).
  • Spoon the beef mixture evenly over the Doritos.
  • Top the casserole with the remaining cheese. Bake, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes or until it's warm and the cheese is nice and melty. Meanwhile, prep the toppings.
  • Serve casserole as-is or with your favorite toppings.

Notes

  • Serves 6-8 depending on how much people eat.
  • Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Salt & Lavender makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.

Nutrition

Calories: 441kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 27gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 62mgSodium: 860mgPotassium: 695mgFiber: 7gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 749IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 264mgIron: 3mg
Keyword easy taco casserole recipe, ground beef taco casserole, taco casserole with Doritos
Author Natasha Bull

This recipe was originally published on December 17, 2019. It's been updated with new photos and better instructions but is the same great recipe!

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  1. Alana says

    I love this casserole. My mother made this all the time when I was a kid. Her recipe added a layer of equal parts mixed sour cream and cottage cheese between the meat mixture and shredded cheddar on top. 💙

    Reply

  2. Nicole says

    4 stars
    Big hit in our house! It’s going into our rotation! Fist time I made it as is and it was great! second time I made it in almost “dip” form and served with the Doritos. I put a thin layer of retried beans at the bottom of the dish and built on that. It was great and I think more appropriate for a party dish! Love this (and so many other) of your recipes!

    Reply

    • Natasha says

      Hi! I'd probably just leave them out in this case. There's definitely plenty of ingredients in here... especially if you load it up with toppings. 😀

      Reply

  5. Elizabeth says

    5 stars
    Made it according to instructions and it is delicious. It's now in our rotation of family favorites!

    Reply

  6. Lynn O says

    2 stars
    I really wanted to love this recipe as all of the ingredients are great. However this was just soooo very dry for a casserole. As we went to eat it I opened a can of enchilada sauce to moisten it. Great flavors though, just dry.

    Reply

    • Miranda @ Salt & Lavender says

      Hi Lynn, everyone's tastes vary for how saucy they like a casserole, but we've never received that particular feedback before on this taco casserole. As tested, we found using a whole jar of salsa plenty juicy and saucy. Next time perhaps add more salsa or top with sour cream? Hoping you'll try it again!

      Reply

    • Elizabeth says

      Did you use a deeper/smaller casserole dish? I used a smaller one once with this recipe and the chips were dry. However, as leftovers sat in the fridge, it was as I remembered it. I have made it multiple times and the bigger dish, I find, works best. Maybe give it another try?

      Reply

      • Natasha says

        Hi! So I've made it in a couple different casserole dishes. The one pictured is a 9x13 Le Creuset and it's not super deep. I've also made it in a deeper 9x13. Sounds to me like the bigger dish works best for you!

        Reply

  7. Erin says

    5 stars
    Oh, my goodness! How come I have just discovered your website? This is the latest of your recipes I've made, and it is delicious! I was a bit skeptical about the Doritos, but they really made the dish. Yummy! Thank you for your recipes - they have rekindled my interest in making dinner! My family thanks you too!

    Reply

  8. Diana Butcher says

    5 stars
    Absolutely delicious! The Doritos are inspired. I used a combo of Nacho Doritos and Chili Cheese Fritos.
    Definitely on my repeat dinner list! Thanks!!

    Reply

  9. Sandy says

    4 stars
    Enjoyed the recipe, great flavour and very versatile. I added peppers and olives. I made it a couple of hours ahead of time and although the tortilla chips weren’t soggy, they did loose their crunch. I made it a few days later without the tortilla chips and we ate it on top of tostadas which made a huge difference. Next time we’ll try it in wraps!

    Reply

  10. Chastity says

    5 stars
    I was very impressed and I’m a tough critic. Loved every bite. I did add green onions and jalapeños

    Reply

  11. Hannah P. says

    5 stars
    Made this several times. Husband and I love it. Sometimes I use Cantina Style Tortilla Chips instead of Dorititos and which give a tamale kind of taste to it.

    Reply

  12. caughtbtwn says

    5 stars
    My husband LOVED LOVED this. My kids? They are so picky - 5 year old twins! But it was GREAT! We will try it again and again and hope the kids take to it! 🙂
    Thank you!

    Reply

  16. Edi Ross says

    5 stars
    Great recipe! I substituted the dairy and meat for ethical/animal cruelty reasons but the rest was easy to prep and delicious!

    Reply

  17. Christine says

    5 stars
    Just had this tonight! It was a hit. I was in a rush so I just used a bag of taco seasoning- next time I’ll make it spicier. Also added hatch chilies & didn’t have Doritos so just used plain tortilla chips. Will definitely have this again! Quick, easy, & really good! Thanks!

    Reply

  18. Deborah Daniel says

    5 stars
    Hi there!!
    Okay!!!!! Huge hit in our home this weekend!!! Requests are coming for it already and we just finished last night. I read some of the comments from others and it wasn’t soggy and was great for leftovers. It’s was so delish and can be fixed up with whatever fixins one may like. I would love to bring this to a party with all taco fixins that my family doesn’t like such as jalapeño, avocado, olives!!! Oh my oh my!!! Fabulous recipe and super easy and quick!!!
    Of course I had all the ingredients!!
    Thank you again for bringing love to my kitchen table and my families bellies!!!!

    Reply

      • Amy S says

        I bet if you were in a hurry you could grab a rotisserie chicken from Costco (we all know those bad boys are amazing!), or anywhere really, and shred it. That’d be a really quick way to test that out! In fact, I might try that on a busy night after the ground beef because both sound awesome!

        Reply

  21. Miriam says

    4 stars
    I did not have Doritos, so used plain tortilla chips. They were pretty soggy when I served it. ☹️ I would suggest either adding them to the top after baking, or just serving chips on the side to scoop the mixture. Other than the soggy chips, everyone liked it alot!

    Reply

  22. Susan says

    5 stars
    Loved it. Better than a taco. We topped with lettuce, tomato, olives and sour cream. Definite recipe keeper! Thank you.

    Reply

  23. Rachel says

    This sounds delish! Could you make this ahead and keep in the fridge until you're ready to cook and eat? Wondering if this would work for a meal train for a friend that just had a baby. Thanks!!

    Reply

    • Natasha says

      Hi! My only concern is that the Doritos layer might get a little soggy. It's not crispy to begin with, but I'd hate for it to go yucky. Maybe leave that off?

      Reply

  27. Kiki says

    5 stars
    Very good! I am making this for my second time. My Son wanted this for his Celebration dinner for getting his new job!!
    This will be a go-to dinner. Yummy!!

    Reply

  29. Tina Ulrich says

    This sounds delicious! Wondering if I substitute the ground beef with rotisserie chicken if it would still turn out.....? Have you tried it? Looking forward to making this!

    Reply

    • Natasha says

      Hi Tina! I think that would be fine. My only concern is that rotisserie chicken is already cooked, and so especially the white meat parts may get dry and chewy a lot faster. I'd probably just cook it for a bit less... like add it in to the mixture as late as possible. Let me know how it goes!

      Reply

  30. DIane says

    Loved it but I used soft tacos as a layered (lasagna) like dish. I spread sour cream and cheese on top. Really good, thank you Also used taco seasoning and salsa to give it more of a kick

    Reply

  31. Joanne says

    5 stars
    My family of four ate every bit and asked for more! I was grateful that this recipe used ingredients that I usually have on hand due to our limited trips to the grocery store due to the [...] stay at home order in our state. Thanks!

    Reply

    • Natasha says

      Hi Joanne!! So happy you enjoyed it. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review! (I edited your comment because bloggers have been told that using buzzwords surrounding the current events can negatively impact our Google ranking so I'm not taking any chances).

      Reply

  32. Lauren A Milke says

    This was so delicious! My family loves cheese so added an extra 1/2 cup on top. I also substituted the black beans for black olives because it better suits my family's likes.
    Thank you so much,
    Lauren

    Reply

  33. Jeanne says

    5 stars
    Yet another delicious recipe from you! This was easy and a favorite at my house. Will be adding it to the meal rotation!

    Reply

  34. Monica Van Rickley says

    5 stars
    It was good! Made it for lunch. I had ranch style beans and since I didn’t know when else I could use it, it was the chosen one. Because of this I omitted adding chili powder. I also used frozen corn and served with a dollop of sour cream, avocado 🥑 and green onions. Even though I added the Doritos, we ate with some tortilla chips we had and it tasted like Nachos. I would definitely serve this as a snack while watching TV with the family.

    Reply

    • Natasha says

      I'm so glad you liked it and made it work with what you had at home, Monica! 🙂 Thanks for letting me know!

      Reply

  35. Jamie says

    5 stars
    I made this last night..... It was delicious!! Although I think I used too much cheese on top (my own doing though, lol), so I recommend a sprinkled layer of cheese top.
    I also added a packet of taco seasoning in the beef mixture, since I had it on hand, because the kids love it!
    My daughter is a vegetarian - so I made a small separate batch of meatless mixture, and added everything else, and just seasoned to taste. I used a large muffin pan to cook her vegetarian batch in the oven (it made about 3 portions).
    All-in-all, the recipe was delicious and very easy to make! Next time I am going to try the beef and vegetable mixture to stuff some bell peppers!! mmmm.........
    Thanks Natasha for your recipes - they are always crowd pleasers at mi casa!! 😉

    Reply

  36. Carol says

    5 stars
    This Recipe was fun. I wouldn’t normally admit to using Doritos in a recipe, but it received five star reviews from husband and son!
    I just found your site, and you have some great inspirational quick dinners, which I’m always looking for.

    Way to go, Natasha!

    Reply

    • Natasha says

      That's awesome! I thought Doritos would be a fun touch hahaha. So happy it was a hit! 🙂 So glad you found me. Happy new year!

      Reply

  37. Hannah says

    5 stars
    Made this today and it is DELICIOUS! I swapped the black beans for black eyed peas (because they are supposedly easier to digest and I have GI problems), mixed regular tortilla chips with the doritos, and used a McCormick Mild Taco Seasoning Packet (not too much), and then added tortillas to eat it all in! It is like tacos on steroids!

    Reply

  39. Mimi says

    5 stars
    I literally never ever cook, made this for my fiancé and my parents as a surprise, and it was a smash hit 😉 Super delicious and not even I could mess anything up; ingredients were easy to get as well!

    Reply