This Taco Casserole is the easiest way to get dinner on the table fast using simple pantry staples. With ground beef, beans, corn, salsa, and melty cheese, it delivers all your favorite taco flavors in one comforting bake.
Quick Look at the Recipe
✅ Recipe Name: Taco Casserole
🕒 Ready In: ~35 minutes
👪 Serves: 6-8
🍽 Calories: ~420 per serving (estimated)
🥣 Main Ingredients: Ground beef, black beans, corn, salsa, taco seasoning, cheese
📖 Dietary Info: Gluten-free; high protein; easy to customize
👌 Difficulty: Very easy - one skillet + one bake
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This delicious Taco Casserole is a great low-carb option. It has all your favorite taco ingredients but without the taco shells, opting instead to be baked in a casserole dish.
To make this casserole feel like a full taco-night spread, pair it with our creamy Refried Kidney Beans, fresh Pico de Gallo, or flavorful Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice. These easy sides bring freshness, balance, and extra texture to the plate without adding extra work.
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Why You'll Love this Taco Casserole:
Quick & Easy: Minimal prep and only 20 minutes of baking time make this a perfect weeknight meal.
Hearty & Satisfying: Packed with protein, fiber, and cheesy goodness, it's a filling and flavorful dish.
Customizable: Easily adjust the spice level, swap ingredients, or add extra toppings to suit your taste.
Great for Meal Prep: Stores well and reheats beautifully, making it perfect for leftovers.
Minimal Cleanup: Cook everything in one skillet and a baking dish for easy cleanup.
Key Ingredients:
- ground beef. Use lean ground beef for less grease, or substitute with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
- taco seasoning. A store-bought packet works fine, but you can make your own with this easy taco seasoning recipe.
- salsa. Choose mild, medium, or hot depending on your spice preference. A chunky homemade salsa adds more texture.
- mexican shredded cheese. A blend of cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack, and Colby works well, but you can use any preferred cheese.
Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this page for exact quantities.
Easy Substitutions & Variations:
- Swap the protein: Ground turkey or ground chicken work the same as beef. If you prefer shredded chicken, use 3 cups cooked chicken and mix it directly into the casserole before baking.
- Change up the beans: Pinto beans, kidney beans, or a mix of both can replace black beans without changing the texture.
- Use frozen veggies: If you're out of canned corn, use 2 cups frozen corn straight from the freezer, no thawing needed.
- Make it creamy: For a richer casserole, stir in ½ cup plain Greek yogurt or 4 ounces softened cream cheese before baking.
- Make it spicy: Use hot salsa, add chopped jalapeños, or mix in 1-2 chipotle peppers in adobo for smoky heat.
How to Make Taco Casserole:
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned. Drain excess grease if needed. Stir in taco seasoning and mix well.
- Step 2: Transfer the ground beef to a 9x13 baking dish. Add black beans, corn, salsa and half the cheese. Mix well to combine.
- Step 3: Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese evenly over the top.
- Step 4: Bake in preheated oven uncovered for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve with desired taco toppings.
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Recipe Notes & Tips:
- Drain Well: Make sure to drain the black beans and corn completely to prevent excess moisture in the casserole.
- Control Moisture: If using homemade salsa, drain any excess liquid before adding it to the dish.
- For a Crunchy Topping: Sprinkle crushed tortilla chips or corn chips on top before serving.
- Make it Spicy: Use hot salsa, diced jalapeños, or a pinch of cayenne pepper for extra heat.
- Serving Ideas: Serve with sour cream, diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, sliced black olives, diced avocado, chopped cilantro, jalapeños, or crushed tortilla chips for extra crunch.
- Vegetable Add-Ins: Stir in diced bell peppers, onions, zucchini, or mushrooms for added nutrients and flavor.
How to Store:
Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freeze: Wrap tightly or store in a freezer-safe dish for up to 3 months.
Reheating: Warm in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes or microwave in 30-second intervals.
Meal Prep: Assemble the casserole ahead of time, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. You may need to add 5 extra minutes to the bake time.
Taco Casserole FAQs:
Drain the ground beef well and use drained beans and corn. Thick salsa also helps the casserole set properly. Bake uncovered so excess moisture can evaporate and the top becomes bubbly and slightly crisp.
Yes. Assemble the casserole up to one day in advance, cover tightly, and refrigerate. When you're ready to bake, add 5-10 minutes to the cook time to heat everything through and melt the cheese.
To add heat, use a spicier salsa, add diced jalapeños, mix in cayenne pepper or chili flakes, or drizzle with hot sauce before serving.
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Taco Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- ¼ cup taco seasoning
- 2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 cans corn, drained
- 14 ounces salsa
- 2 cups mexican shredded cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned. Drain excess grease if needed. Stir in taco seasoning and mix well.
- Transfer the ground beef to a 9x13 baking dish. Add black beans, corn, salsa and half the cheese. Mix well to combine.
- Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve with desired taco toppings.
Nutrition
Notes
- Drain Well: Make sure to drain the black beans and corn completely to prevent excess moisture in the casserole.
- Control Moisture: If using homemade salsa, drain any excess liquid before adding it to the dish.
- For a Crunchy Topping: Sprinkle crushed tortilla chips or corn chips on top before serving.
- Make it Spicy: Use hot salsa, diced jalapeños, or a pinch of cayenne pepper for extra heat.
- Serving Ideas: Serve with sour cream, diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, sliced black olives, diced avocado, chopped cilantro, jalapeños, or crushed tortilla chips for extra crunch.
- Vegetable Add-Ins: Stir in diced bell peppers, onions, zucchini, or mushrooms for added nutrients and flavor.
Kae says
made this tonight, very good!