Description
Layered taco bake brings Mexican-inspired comfort right to your dinner table, blending spicy ground beef, melted cheese, and crisp tortillas. Hearty flavors meld together, creating a crowd-pleasing meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
Sauces and Spices:
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) salsa con queso
- 3/4 cup (180 milliliters) water
Bread and Cheese:
- 3 pieces 8-inch flour tortillas (soft taco size)
- 2 cups (226 grams) shredded Mexican cheese blend (divided use)
Instructions
- Craft a robust ground beef mixture by browning the meat in a spacious skillet over medium-high heat, systematically breaking it into fine crumbles for approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Eliminate excess fat from the cooked meat, then introduce taco seasoning and water, allowing the mixture to simmer and thicken for 3-5 minutes.
- Incorporate salsa con queso into the seasoned meat, creating a luxurious and cohesive filling with rich, creamy undertones.
- Activate the oven to 350°F, preparing an 8-inch round baking vessel with a light coating of nonstick spray to prevent adherence.
- Establish the first tortilla foundation within the prepared pan, ensuring complete coverage of the bottom surface.
- Distribute one-third of the seasoned meat mixture across the tortilla, ensuring even coverage and maximum flavor distribution.
- Sprinkle a generous layer of shredded cheese over the meat, creating a melty, enticing surface.
- Repeat the layering sequence two additional times, alternating tortilla, meat, and cheese until all components are utilized.
- Conclude the layering process with a final, abundant cheese topping that promises a golden, bubbling surface.
- Transfer the assembled dish to the preheated oven, allowing it to bake for 15-20 minutes until the cheese transforms into a molten, glistening layer.
- Extract from the oven and permit a brief cooling period to set the layers and enhance structural integrity.
- Slice into wedges and embellish with optional garnishes like crisp lettuce, fresh tomatoes, tangy sour cream, creamy guacamole, or spicy jalapeños to elevate the dining experience.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef or turkey to reduce fat content without compromising taste.
- Drain beef thoroughly to prevent soggy layers and ensure a crisp texture.
- Customize seasoning by mixing your own taco blend for lower sodium options.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like pepper jack or Mexican blend for unique flavor profiles.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg