PRO TIPS FOR MAKING THIS RECIPE
- Do not drain the cooked beef liquid. Cooking the beef and onion will create some liquid in the pan, but don’t discard it! It adds needed moisture and flavor to this taco bake recipe and will be too dry if you drain it. Once cooked, the beef mixture should be a ‘sloppy joe’ consistency.
- Grease the baking dish. Quickly coat the bottom of the dish with cooking spray or brush with oil to keep the cheese from sticking to the bottom. This will help you easily scoop out servings of the casserole.
- Layer the beans on top of the chips. This helps to prevent the chips from getting soggy from the juices of the beef mixture and helps them have a nice crunch after baking.
- Use flavored chips! Plain salted tortilla chips are perfect for this recipes, but you can have fun and mix it up with other flavored tortilla chips. Ones with a hint of lime or jalapeño flavor would work well, too.
- Make it gluten-free by using gluten-free tortilla chips as the base. or you can skip the chips and serve the baked casserole with flour tortillas or corn tortillas on the side.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do I store leftovers?
- This taco casserole recipe is best served right away so the chips keep their firmness. But you can also store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat in the oven at 350ºF for 15-20 minutes until heated through for the best consistency. I recommend storing the toppings separately and adding them once you’re ready to eat!
How do you serve this?
- Top this casserole like you would your favorite tacos. We love topping them with guacamole, salsa, sour cream, extra shredded cheddar cheese, black olives, and sliced green onions.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
- You can easily make this recipe ahead of time for busier weekdays! Make the beef mixture, then all it to cool to room temperature, and refrigerate it in an airtight container. When you’re ready to assemble, reheat the beef in the microwave, assemble the layers and bake as directed.
Are there variations for this casserole?
- There are several ways to switch up this casserole recipe! Add a punch of flavor by swapping the tortilla chips for nacho cheese Doritos. You can also make the dish spicier by adding chopped green chilies, sliced jalopeños, or chili powder. Or experiment with different types of cheese like Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, a Mexican cheese blend, queso fresco, or cotija cheese. Additionally, you can swap the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
- You can make taco casserole meat-free by simply omitting the ground beef and adding extra refried beans or more vegetables like corn kernels or sauteed bell peppers, spinach, or mushrooms. If you want to up the protein, you can season and cook crumbled tofu or a meat-free alternative like you would prepare the beef.
