If you're looking for an easy weeknight meal that is both delicious and satisfying, look no further than this Cheesy Taco Casserole! This dish is simple to make and can be tailored to your liking by using your favorite taco toppings.
So why not give it a try tonight? Your family will love it!
Next time try the Burrito Casserole or the Tamale Pie with Jiffy!
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Why you'll love this recipe
✔️ Like the Doritos Casserole, this is an easy dinner that can be on the table in under an hour. Plus the entire family will enjoy it.
✔️ This cheesy taco bake is a great way to use up leftover taco meat or ground chicken.
✔️ It's perfect for meal prep on taco night and can be made ahead of time.
Ingredients
For the exact measurements, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- ground beef
- yellow onion
- black beans
- packet taco seasoning or homemade taco seasoning
- white rice
- frozen corn
- Rotel tomatoes with chilies
- corn chips - Doritos, Fritos, Tostitos, use your favorite!
- shredded cheese
Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. For the complete directions just scroll down to the bottom!
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Prepare 9x13 casserole dish by spraying with non-stick cooking spray, set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat - brown ground beef, drain excess fat.
- Add the onions and drained black beans. Sprinkle with taco seasoning and mix together well.
- Top with the rice. Add the water, drained corn and canned tomatoes. Mix to combine. Spoon into the casserole dish. Cover and cook for 40-45 minutes or until the rice is tender.
- Remove the cover and sprinkle with chips, top with cheese. Cover until the cheese melts or place under broiler for 2-3 minutes.
- Serve topped with your favorite toppings! Salsa, sour cream, jalapenos, minced cilantro, sliced green onions, chopped tomatoes or olives!
Equipment
FAQ's
Yes, you can brown the beef up to 3 days in advance. Store in the fridge in an airtight container until ready to use.
If your casserole is dry, you can add a little chicken or beef broth to moisten it up. You can also add a little milk if you like.
The typical baking temperature for a casserole is 350-375 degrees F.
If you are reheating the casserole in a microwave, you should cover it with a damp paper towel. If you are reheating it in an oven, you can leave it uncovered.
It's best to reheat casseroles in a 325 degree F oven until heated through. You can also add a little chicken or beef broth to moisten it up before reheating if needed.
Things to know
- For easy clean up be sure to spray your baking dish well with cooking spray before adding the ingredients.
- Top this cheesy casserole with your favorite taco toppings for a delicious taste.
- Don't have Rotel on hand? Use a can of diced tomatoes and a can of green chilies instead.
- I think this casserole makes excellent leftovers because it tastes better the next day.
- If you use lean meat, add a small amount of olive oil to the pan to prevent sticking.
- Use any type of cheese that your family prefers; we like Mexican shredded blend or shredded cheddar cheese.
Variations
- If you are on a keto diet, leave out the corn, use protein tortilla chips instead, and turn it into a keto taco casserole recipe!
- You can also sub ground chicken or ground turkey for the beef.
- Instead of black beans, refried beans can be added to the meat.
- Add chili powder and a can of drained green chiles to the taco seasoning if you like extra spicy tacos.
- Stretch this dish by adding more vegetables, such as bell peppers - you can use red or green peppers, zucchini, or even mushrooms.
- Corn tortillas will work if you're out of tortilla chips.
- Another way to change up this recipe is to add spicy ranch dressing or cream cheese to the ground beef mixture for a creamy touch to taco Tuesday.
Storage
Refrigerate - Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezer - You can freeze this casserole for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Reheat - To reheat this cheesy taco casserole, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and bake for 15-20 minutes, until warmed through. Alternatively, you can microwave the casserole on high for 4-5 minutes.
Great casseroles recipes
- The Stuffed Pepper Casserole is a great make ahead dinner. It's a meaty, tasty meal.
- The Cheeseburger French Fry Casserole is a super fun, kid-friendly casserole that's always a hit!
- You’ll love Chicken Spaghetti Recipe - the creamy sauce is the BEST!
- If you like potatoes and cheesy, be sure to try the Hobo Casserole. This is perfect for potlucks and Sunday supper.
- Classic Tuna Casserole Recipe - comfort food at it’s best!
More Mexican food recipes
- If you are looking for a cheesy taco pasta casserole that is filled with taco flavors, check out this Creamy Taco Spaghetti recipe.
- Do you love Mexican food? Next time give these Taco Stuffed Shells a try.
- Learn how to make the best ground beef taco meat here!
- This Tamale Pie with Jiffy Casserole with the crispy cornbread topping has all your favorites loaded into one easy meal!
- If you love easy recipes on busy weeknights, then this Loaded Chicken Taco Casserole is just what you are looking for.
- Still hungry for good eats? Check out these easy Chicken Taco Casserole Recipes - you're sure to find a new favorite!
TexMex and Mexican food are some of the most popular recipes on the blog!
Serve with
- Mexican Cole Slaw is a family favorite side dish to serve with this comforting casserole. Plus, it's full of tangy fresh flavor.
- If you are looking for a healthy side that the whole family will enjoy, look no further than this Southwest Salad recipe.
- This Mexican Fruit Salad is the perfect blend of sweet and savory and pairs so well with this delicious taco casserole.
Still looking for ideas? I gotcha! Here are 60+ recipes if you're wondering what to serve with taco casserole!
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If you love this recipe please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating!
Cheesy Taco Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 1 14.5 oz black beans drained
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- ½ cup white rice
- ¾ cup water
- 1 cup frozen corn can substitute drained canned corn.
- 1 14.5 rotel tomatoes with chilies
- 1 ½ cup corn chips Doritos, Fritos Tostitos - just use your favorite corn chip!
- 1 ½ cups shredded chedar cheese
- ** Optional Toppings - salsa, sour cream, jalapenos, minced cilantro, chopped tomatoes, olives **
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Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Prepare 9x13 casserole dish by spraying with non-stick cooking spray, set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat - brown the ground beef, drain.
- Add the onions and drained black beans. Sprinkle with taco seasoning and mix together well.
- Top with the rice. Add the water, drained corn and canned tomatoes. Mix to combine. Pour into prepared casserole dish and cover tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until the rice is tender.
- Remove the cover and sprinkle with chips, top with cheese. Cover until the cheese melts or place under broiler for 2-3 minutes.
- Serve topped with your favorite toppings! Salsa, sour cream, jalapenos, minced cilantro, chopped tomatoes or olives!
Camden
I think this cheesy taco casserole would be awesome to make at the beginning of the week. I love getting to warm up casseroles as quick meals when I'm busy, and this one will be perfect for this week!
Debra Clark
Enjoy, I'm glad it made the weekly rotation!
Sharon
This taco beef casserole is easy, cheesy, and a total crowd pleaser. I am thinking about trying it with ground turkey instead next time.
Debra Clark
Perfect, ground turkey is a great substitution - enjoy!
Debbie
This cheesy taco casserole is truly a lifesaver on busy nights. The kids really love helping put it together too.
Debra Clark
That's awesome Debbie and the kids like'd it, that's high praise!
Alyssa
Tacos is always one of my go to dinners during the week. This cheesy taco casserole will be a great way to switch it up, and I usually have most of these items on hand!
Holly
Cheesy taco casserole seems like a fun (and easy!) way to switch up Taco Tuesday! Could I substitute a different type of meat, or add another type of beans?
Debra Clark
Absolutely, you can sub the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken. That would be delicious!
Sam
I'm wondering if I could substitute the meat in this taco beef casserole for extra beans? I'm trying to make more meatless meals this year and this looks like a recipe my family is sure to love!
Bowl Me Over
Yes, you can absolutely substitute with extra beans. Black beans, kidney beans or pinto beans would be terrific. Enjoy the casserole recipe!
Brittany
This cheesy taco casserole looks amazing! I have to omit the tomatoes though, so I'm wondering if I should add a touch more water or some broth?
Bowl Me Over
Yes, I would add a full cup of water, but another option would be to swap the canned tomatoes with cream-style corn. That would give you more flavor than plain water. Let me know which you try! Enjoy the casserole!!
Kristen
I love that this taco beef casserole is a neater and easier way to essentially transport tacos to a party, haha! Brilliant idea!
Bowl Me Over
And the cheese, don't forget the cheese! 😋 Happy Taco Party, Kristen!!
One Crazy House
Your cheesy taco casserole looks so tasty! Can I eliminate the tortilla chips in an attempt to cut down on carbs? I love that this is a slightly healthier way to enjoy tacos!
Bowl Me Over
Absolutely, that would be an option and it will still be plenty tasty!
Lois
We love this taco casserole it so good. Love the flavors and how easy it is to make.
Kristal
Do you cook the rice first?
Bowl Me Over
No, this recipe uses uncooked rice.
Alain H Leblond
HOW LONG DO YOU PUT IT IN THE OVEN FOR AND AT WHAT TEMP???
Bowl Me Over
My apologies Alain, I just updated the recipe card and instructions. Thank you for bringing it to my attention.