Description
A quick, easy, and delicious weeknight dinner that combines the flavors of tacos in a baked casserole format. It features crispy hard shell tortillas layered with seasoned ground beef, beans, corn, and melted cheese, offering a mess-free alternative to traditional tacos.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 12 hard shell tortillas
- 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
- 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 cup medium salsa
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn (frozen or canned)
- Sour cream for topping
- Green onions, sliced for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook for 5-7 minutes until no pink remains. Drain excess grease thoroughly.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add taco seasoning, tomato sauce, salsa, drained black beans, and corn to the beef. Stir to combine and simmer for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Spread half of the meat mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Arrange 6 hard shell tortillas over the meat layer. Break them in half if necessary to fit.
- Sprinkle half of the shredded cheese over the tortillas, then spread the remaining meat mixture evenly on top.
- Place the remaining 6 hard shell tortillas on top of the meat layer.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese generously over the top tortillas.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the tortillas are golden brown at the edges. Tent with foil if browning too quickly.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes to allow layers to set.
- Top with sour cream and sliced green onions before serving.
Notes
Drain the meat well to prevent sogginess. Do not over-sauce or the tortillas will become mushy. Let the casserole rest before cutting to ensure it holds together. For a vegetarian version, substitute beef with refried beans or plant-based meat. For gluten-free, use certified gluten-free hard shell tortillas.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 475
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 850
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 6
- Protein: 25
Keywords: taco casserole, easy dinner, family meal, ground beef recipe, weeknight dinner, crispy tacos, comfort food