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Home » Recipes » Beef

Taco Salad Casserole Recipe

Published: Jul 30, 2024 by Debra Clark · 2 Comments

Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe

Your favorite salad in casserole form. It's always a huge hit. Your whole family will love this easy-to-make Taco Salad Casserole Recipe!

Dish filled with Taco Salad Casserole.
Taco Salad Casserole

I think you'll love this meal! The next recipe you should try is this Frito Pie Casserole - so good and so easy to make!

Jump to:
  • ❤️ Why you'll love this recipe 
  • 🗒️ Ingredients
  • Creative variations to try
  • 🔪 Instructions
  • Essential tools for this recipe
  • Frequently asked questions (FAQ's)
  • Top Tip
  • How to store leftovers
  • SERVE GREAT MEALS EVERY TIME! 👇
  • Serving suggestions
  • Related recipes
  • Taco Salad Casserole Recipe

❤️ Why you'll love this recipe 

It's perfect for taco night or busy weeknights. It's also easy to make! Your whole family will be begging for seconds. This baked taco salad recipe is one of my favorite recipes for easy quick dinners.

It's the classic taco recipe with a twist and perfect for Taco Tuesday! I hope you give it a try soon!

🗒️ Ingredients

Collage of all the ingredients needed to make this dish, with print overlay.

For the exact measurements, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of this post. 

  • one pound ground beef - you can substitute ground chicken or ground turkey if you'd prefer. My recommendation is lean ground beef.
  • envelope taco seasoning - use the recipe from the blog or grab a taco seasoning packet.
  • Doritos corn chips - I prefer the flavor of Doritos in this recipe, but you could also use tortilla chips or Frito corn chips.
  • refried beans - spicy, non-spicy, that's your choice! If refried beans aren't available, use mashed pinto or black beans.
  • onion and green bell pepper - any bell pepper will be yummy, use your favorite!
  • Mexican blend shredded cheese - pepper jack cheese, Monterey Jack Cheese, Colby or cheddar cheese would all be delicious as well.
  • frozen corn - well drained canned corn will be yummy too!
  • for the salad: tomatoes, olives and lettuce

Creative variations to try

Whatever you top a taco with goes great with this dish!

  • chopped red or green onions
  • taco seasoning or hot sauce
  • shredded lettuce - romaine or iceberg
  • chopped cilantro
  • diced avocados
  • lime wedges, there's nothing like a squeeze of fresh lime juice!
  • cilantro garlic sauce, sour cream or Pico de Gallo
  • sliced jalapeños

🔪 Instructions

Step by Steph instructions with photos showing how to make this dish. With print overlay.

This is an overview of the instructions. For the complete directions for the Taco Salad Casserole Recipe just scroll down to the bottom!

  1. Preheat oven. Prepare the casserole dish, set aside. 
  2. Cook beef, onions, and green bell pepper in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Drain excess grease. Sprinkle with taco seasoning and add ¼ cup water. Cook as per package directions, set aside.
  3. Crush the Doritos chips, and place chips evenly on the bottom of the casserole dish. 
  4. Place the refried beans in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at 30-second intervals until the beans are soft and spreadable. If necessary, add a tablespoon of water to make it easy to spread.
  5. Spread the beans on top of the chips.
  6. Top the bean mixture with corn. Then add the taco meat.
  7. Sprinkle cheese over the entire casserole and bake covered for 20 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
  8. Serve the casserole over a bed of lettuce, topped with your favorite toppings! Serve with salsa, sour cream, and fresh toppings like diced tomatoes, jalapeños, green onions, and olives!

Essential tools for this recipe

The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Here's what you'll need to make this recipe,

  • 2-cup measuring cup
  • wooden spoon
  • cast iron skillet
  • 9x9 casserole dish

Don't forget to check out my Amazon storefront for some of my favorite products! 🛍️

Frequently asked questions (FAQ's)

Can the Doritos Taco Bake be frozen?

Yes, you can make ahead and freeze this casserole. Make as directed, except don't add the cheese. Wrap well and freeze. When you're ready to bake, top with cheese and bake.

Can I substitute corn tortillas for the chips?

Absolutely! I would tear or chop the tortillas into small pieces and lay them on the bottom of the casserole, just like you would the chips.

Should the casserole be served hot or cold?

Actually you can enjoy the baked taco salad hot or cold, whichever you prefer!

Taco Salad Casserole topped with shredded lettuce, tomatoes and olives.
Baked Taco Salad Casserole Recipe

Top Tip

To crush the tortilla chips, place them in a ziplock bad and squeeze the bag to crush. The chips do not have to be super small, just broken into bite-sized pieces.

  • If you don't use 90% lean ground be sure to drain it well.
  • Like the Doritos Casserole, the taco casserole recipe is super simple to make. We really enjoy this recipe and I've been making it every couple of weeks. It's great with or without the salad. I'll eat it right out of the dish!
  • Avoid topping the casserole with lettuce and tomatoes unless you'll be eating the entire casserole at the first serving. The heat will make the lettuce limp.
  • Turn this into a walking taco casserole by spooning it into small bags of Doritos - your kids will love it!

Heat the refried beans in the microwave. It makes it so much easier to spread on top of the crushed chips. Using a spatula dipped in water keeps the beans from sticking to the spoon.

Or add the beans to the meat mixture. That will save you a step and makes it easier to spread over the chips as well.

How to store leftovers

Refrigerate - Cover and refrigerate leftovers. This will last in the refrigerator 3-4 days.

Reheating - I prefer reheating the taco salad casserole in the oven, but you can also reheat in the microwave at 30 second intervals until hot & bubbly.

I don't recommend freezing this casserole. Because of the chips, it doesn't freeze well.

SERVE GREAT MEALS EVERY TIME! 👇

White bowl filled with taco salad topped with sour cream and tomatoes.
Top this easy taco casserole with a dollop of sour cream and salsa!

Serving suggestions

Delicious with Creamy Guacamole at the store, serve with Salsa Verde or Pico de Gallo and a big dollop of sour cream - YUM!!

This recipe is a great Taco Dip with Ground Beef is a great way to start the party as well.

If you're serving a crowd, make some Chipotle black beans and chipotle cilantro lime rice to serve alongside!

Related recipes

There are plenty of easy dinner ideas here on the blog that are simple weeknight meals!

  • Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole - this dish is super easy to make and a real crowd-pleaser!
  • If you're watching your carbs, try the Low Carb Chicken Enchilada Casserole next!
  • The King Ranch Chicken Casserole is SO GOOD! It's like a cheesy chicken casserole without all the fussy prep work!
  • Ground Beef Noodle Casserole or the Big Mac Casserole - both are rich and creamy. Everyone goes back for seconds when I serve these easy recipes!
  • Who doesn't love tater tots? That's why this recipe for Cowboy Tater Tot Casserole is such a family favorite!

When you make this please comment below and let me know what you think! I'd love it if you tag me on Instagram @bowl_me_over or #bowlmeover - so I can see your photos! 

Dish filled with Taco Salad Casserole.
5 from 7 votes

Taco Salad Casserole Recipe

Everyone loves this easy doritos casserole, this delicious dinner is a great weeknight meal!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe SaveSaved!
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Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time20 minutes mins
Total Time30 minutes mins
Course: Lunch or Dinner
Cuisine: TexMex
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 870kcal
Author: Deb Clark

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 packet packet taco seasoning mix
  • 2 cups crushed Doritos corn chips
  • 16 ounces refried beans
  • 1 onion diced
  • 1 green pepper diced
  • 1 tomato diced
  • 4.25 ounce black olives sliced
  • 4 cups shredded lettuce
  • 2 cups Mexican blend shredded cheese
  • 1 cup frozen corn thawed

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
  • Spray a 9x9 casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray, set aside.
  • Brown ground beef, onions, and green bell pepper in a large skillet. Drain fat if desired. Sprinkle with taco seasoning and add ¼ cup water. Cook as per package directions, set aside.
  • Crush the chips, spread them evenly on the bottom of the casserole dish.
  • Place the refried beans in a small microwave safe bowl. Microwave at 30 second intervals until soft and spreadable. If necessary, add a tablespoon of water to make it easy to spread.
  • When the beans are soft, carefully spread on top of the chips. Take your time, if the beans are warm, they can easily be spread on top of the chips.
  • Top the beans with corn. Then spread with the seasoned ground beef mixture.
  • Sprinkle the cheese over the entire casserole and bake covered for 20 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
  • Serve the casserole over a bed of lettuce, topped with diced tomatoes and olives or your favorite taco fixings! Serve with salsa and/or sour cream!

Notes

Be sure to add a tablespoon of water and warm the refried beans in the microwave before trying to spread it on top of the chips. If it's hot and creamy it will easily spread. If it's cold, it's almost impossible to spread.
Delicious with Creamy Guacamole at the store, serve with Salsa Verde or Pico de Gallo and a big dollop of sour cream - YUM!!

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    Nutrition

    Calories: 870kcal | Carbohydrates: 73g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 50g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 12g | Monounsaturated Fat: 17g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 89mg | Sodium: 2022mg | Potassium: 691mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 1421IU | Vitamin C: 26mg | Calcium: 430mg | Iron: 4mg

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    About Debra Clark

    Hey I'm Deb Clark, and I'm the owner of Bowl Me Over! We live in the sleepy little town of Scappoose, Oregon. And I admit it... I love food! Join me in this foodie journey (even if you've never cooked before!) I will help you learn to be confident in the kitchen! Want to learn more? Let's stay connected, you can email me at debra@bowl-me-over.com and find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

    Comments

      5 from 7 votes (6 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Lois says

      January 29, 2024 at 8:50 am

      5 stars
      This meal really hits the spot and really easy to make. So tasty.

      Reply
      • Debra Clark says

        January 29, 2024 at 3:43 pm

        It's such an easy casserole and a real crowd-pleaser. Enjoy the recipe Lois!

        Reply
    Blogger Deb Clark smiling at camera holding a plate filled with a casserole.
    Welcome to Bowl Me Over!

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