Taco Casserole Recipe

This taco casserole recipe is perfect for Taco Tuesday! I could eat Mexican food every day of the week. Mark and I fixed this recipe for years for our girls when they were growing up.

This recipe is awesome because most of the ingredients (the meat) are in the freezer, our pantry, and refrigerator. It is also adult—and kid-friendly because everyone loves tacos, right?

This taco casserole recipe includes ground beef, refried beans, black beans, cheese, tortilla chips, salsa, black olives, and cilantro—what’s not to love? I love anything with salsa!

If you love tacos, you will love this recipe. I don’t know about you, but I love casseroles, especially if I can make some ingredients beforehand. You can fry the meat the day before and assemble the casserole right before placing the pan into the hot oven the next day. In case you missed this post, Taco Salad Recipe

Taco Casserole Recipe

Ingredients:

• Ground Beef with Taco Seasoning
• Refried Beans
• Green Onions
• Chopped Onion
• Tortilla Chips
• Salsa
• Tomatoes
• Shredded Cheese
• Black Olives
• Sour Cream
• Cilantro
• Shredded Lettuce

Kitchen Items You May Need:

• Casserole Baking Dish
• Measuring Cups and Spoons
• A Good Knife for Chopping
• Cutting Board

Taco Casserole Recipe

Step One: Gather Ingredients

Gather your ingredients before you start the recipe.

Step Two: Cook the Ground Beef

Cook the ground beef with the taco seasoning until well done. Preheat the oven to (350°F ) = (176°C). 

Step Three: Grease Baking Dish – Layer Chips

Grease a casserole baking dish. The first layer of the casserole will be crushed tortilla chips. Spread them evenly in the baking dish.

Step Four: Add Beans

Top the tortilla chips with several small scoops of refried and black beans, then spread them as evenly as possible.

Step Five: Top With Cheese

Top with two cups of shredded cheese and spread evenly over the refried and black beans.

Step Six: Add Ground Beef & Cheese

Next, top with the cooked ground beef and two cups of cheese. Spread as evenly as possible. Please note that I left the left side meatless for my vegetarian family members.

Step Seven: Add Olives and Onions – Bake

Now, add the sliced olives and chopped white or yellow onions. Bake uncovered for 20-30 minutes or until the cheese melts.

Finished Product

After baking, remove the casserole from the oven and garnish with sour cream, chopped tomatoes, green onions, and cilantro. Place chopped lettuce on each plate before serving the casserole. If desired, squeeze some lime juice over each serving.

Taco Casserole Recipe

How do I store the leftovers?

I store mine in an airtight Tupperware-type container for 2-3 days in the refrigerator.

Can I freeze this recipe?

This recipe is great to freeze. Leave the sour cream, lettuce, chopped tomatoes, and green onions off the casserole until you serve it after freezing and then thawing it.

Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Skip the meat altogether, add an extra can of beans, and it’s now vegetarian, depending on how you feel about the cheese and sour cream! Remember, this is a taco casserole with all the ingredients and toppings you’d expect.

Is it possible to use ground turkey or chicken?

Yes, you can. That’s why I love this recipe—it’s so versatile. If your family enjoys other kinds of meat, like shredded beef, pork, turkey, or fish, you should try them. I haven’t tried ham, but cubed ham or bacon could have just the flavor you want.

Can I use regular beans instead of refried beans?

Of course, drain the chosen beans and sprinkle them over the chips. It doesn’t matter what kind of beans you decide to swap out. Once you’ve added the beans of choice, follow the instructions in the recipe card.

Final Word

Let me know if you try making my taco casserole recipe. I’d love to hear from you. It’s all about cooking from scratch, right?

We must teach our kids and grandkids the skills of cooking and baking. May God Bless this world, Linda