Description
Hearty Mexican-inspired walking taco casserole delivers a flavor explosion of ground beef, crunchy chips, and melted cheese. Comfort meets convenience in this crowd-pleasing dish you’ll want to devour again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) lean ground beef
- 1 envelope taco seasoning mix
Vegetables and Cheese:
- 2 ounces (57 grams) cream cheese, cubed
- 1 (10-ounce/283 grams) can rotel style tomatoes (with green chilies)
- 1 jalapeno pepper (optional for garnish)
- 2 cups (226 grams) Mexican blend cheese, shredded
Beans and Chips:
- 1 (15-ounce/425 grams) can ranch style beans, drained
- 3 cups (96 grams) frito corn chips
Instructions
- Prepare the culinary workspace by positioning an oven rack in the center and heating to 375°F (190°C), creating an ideal environment for baking the casserole.
- Generously coat a 2-quart baking vessel with non-stick spray, ensuring effortless removal and pristine presentation.
- Select a robust skillet and transform ground beef into a crumbly, golden-brown landscape over medium heat, approximately 6-8 minutes. Eliminate excess lipids if necessary.
- Infuse the meat with zesty taco seasoning, incorporating recommended liquid volume. Introduce cream cheese cubes, stirring until a luxurious, velvety texture emerges.
- Integrate Rotel tomatoes and drained Ranch style beans, creating a harmonious flavor profile that melds seamlessly with the seasoned protein.
- Transfer the vibrant mixture into the prepared baking dish, establishing an even, appetizing foundation.
- Artfully distribute Frito corn chips across the surface, generating a crunchy landscape. Cascade Mexican blend cheese over the chips, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
- Slide the assembled casserole into the preheated oven, allowing 15 minutes for cheese to transform into a molten, bubbling masterpiece.
- Extract the casserole, optional jalapeno slices adding a decorative and spicy flourish. Present immediately, accompanied by supplementary garnishes like crisp lettuce, fresh tomatoes, and cool sour cream for personalized embellishment.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner, lighter protein option that maintains the dish’s delicious flavor profile.
- Reduce sodium by using low-sodium taco seasoning and rinsing canned beans before adding to minimize excess salt content.
- Create a gluten-free version by using gluten-free corn chips and checking that taco seasoning is certified gluten-free.
- Prep ingredients ahead of time by browning meat and mixing components earlier in the day, then quickly assembling and baking when ready to serve for convenient meal planning.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg