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–+ servings
Close up image of slice of layered taco casserole being removed from baking dish.

Taco Casserole

Hearty corn tortillas are layered with a perfectly seasoned beef filling that's also loaded up with lots of veggies, then it's topped with tons of cheese. And it's layered again and again. It's like a Tex-Mex lasagna and it's undeniably delicious!
Servings: 10
Prep30 minutes
Cook30 minutes
Ready in: 1 hour

Ingredients

  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 1/4 cups chopped red onion or yellow onion
  • 1 1/4 cups chopped red bell pepper
  • 1 1/4 lbs. lean ground beef
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 Tbsp minced garlic
  • 2 Tbsp chili powder*
  • 1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 (14.5 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 (14.5 oz) can fire roasted diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • 1/4 cup water or chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp lime juice, plus lime wedges for serving
  • 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese**
  • 2 cups shredded Monterey jack cheese
  • 15 (6-inch) corn tortillas, cut into halves
  • Taco toppings (optional, see notes)

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 13 by 9-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Heat oil in a 12-inch non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and bell pepper, saute 4 minutes. Scoot to the far side.
  • Crumble in beef, season with salt and pepper. Let brown on bottom, then break up beef and continue to cook until browned. Drain fat.
  • Add garlic, chili powder and cumin and cook 1 minute longer.
  • Stir in black beans, tomatoes, corn, water, lime juice, and cilantro and remove from heat.
  • To assemble casserole, layer 10 tortilla halves along bottom of baking dish, work to cover whole bottom surface as best possible.
  • Spoon and spread 1/3 of the beef mixture over tortilla layer.
  • Toss cheeses together and spread 1/3 of the cheese mixture over beef layer.
  • Repeat this layering process with tortillas, beef filling and cheese two more times.
  • Bake in preheated oven 20 minutes.
  • Finish with optional toppings then cut into slices. Serve warm with lime wedges if desired.

Notes

  • *If you'd like to make it spicy add 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (and more to taste) along with the chili powder. Or dice 1 - 2 a jalapeños and add along with the bell pepper.
  • **For a quicker option you could use 4 cups pre-shredded Mexican blend cheese.
Taco Toppings
These are optional but do add some delicious flavor if you'd like to add a few.
  • Mexican hot sauce (such as Cholula or Tapatio)
  • Sour cream
  • Avocado
  • Tomatoes
  • Jalapeños
  • Onions
  • Radishes
  • Cilantro or lettuce