This taco casserole is everything you love about tacos — but baked into a warm, bubbly, satisfying dish. Layers of seasoned taco meat, salsa, tortillas, cheese, and a creamy mixture create an irresistibly comforting texture. When it comes out of the oven golden and bubbling, it’s topped with fresh tomatoes, jalapeños, black olives, cilantro, and more cheese for a beautiful, colorful finish.

It’s perfect for family meals, gatherings, meal prep, or as a celebration dish like yours. It’s customizable, filling, crowd-pleasing, and absolutely full of flavor.

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🧾 Full Recipe: Taco Casserole

Ingredients

For the casserole:

• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef or turkey

• 1 packet taco seasoning (or 2 tbsp homemade)

• 1 small onion, diced

• 1 cup salsa or Rotel tomatoes

• 1 can (14 oz) black beans, drained (optional)

• 1 cup corn kernels (optional)

• 8–10 small flour or corn tortillas, cut in halves or quarters

• 1 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt

• 1 can (10 oz) cream of chicken or cream of mushroom soup (optional for extra creaminess)

• 2–3 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese

Toppings:

• Diced tomatoes

• Sliced black olives

• Sliced jalapeños

• Diced avocado

• Chopped cilantro

• Green onions

• Extra cheese

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🍳 Instructions

1. Cook the taco meat

• In a skillet, cook ground beef with diced onion until browned.

• Drain excess fat.

• Add taco seasoning + salsa (and beans/corn if using).

• Simmer 3–5 minutes until thickened.

2. Make the creamy layer

In a bowl, mix:

• sour cream

• cream soup (optional but gives that rich restaurant-style texture)

3. Assemble the casserole

In a greased baking dish:

1. Add a layer of tortillas

2. Spread ½ the taco meat

3. Add cheese

4. Add ½ the creamy mixture

Repeat layers: tortillas → meat → cheese → cream.

Finish with a final layer of tortillas + cheese.

4. Bake

• Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25–30 minutes, until bubbling and melted.

5. Add fresh toppings

Scatter on:

• tomatoes

• olives

• jalapeños

• avocado

• cilantro

• more cheese (it melts nicely from the heat)

6. Serve warm

Cut into squares like lasagna and enjoy!

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🍽 Flavor Notes

• Comforting, cheesy, and bold

• Balanced textures: soft tortillas, creamy layers, crisp fresh toppings

• Customizable: make it mild or spicy, protein-rich or veggie-packed

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🔄 Variations

Low-carb / weight-loss friendly

• Use low-carb tortillas

• Swap sour cream for Greek yogurt

• Add extra vegetables: zucchini, mushroom, peppers

• Use ground turkey or chicken

Protein-packed

• Add cottage cheese to the creamy layer

• Use double black beans

Spicy

• Add chipotle peppers

• Use hot taco seasoning

• Add jalapeños inside the casserole

Vegetarian

• Replace beef with a mixture of beans, lentils, and sautéed veggies

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❓ Related Questions You Can Ask Next

Cooking & technique

• “How do I make this casserole crispier on top?”

• “Can I assemble it ahead of time and bake later?”

Health & nutrition

• “Can you calculate the calories and macros for my version?”

• “How can I make a low-calorie taco casserole that still tastes amazing?”

Substitutions

• “What can I use instead of cream soup?”

• “Can I use tortilla chips instead of tortillas?”

Meal prep

• “How long does taco casserole last in the fridge?”

• “Can I freeze this casserole fully assembled?”