Description
This Best Taco Bake is a delicious and easy-to-make Mexican-American casserole featuring seasoned ground beef, black beans, corn, and salsa layered with crushed tortilla chips and melted cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese. Baked to cheesy perfection, it’s a comforting main dish perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Veggies
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn kernels, fresh, canned, or frozen
Seasoning and Sauce
- 1 packet taco seasoning or 2 tablespoons homemade taco seasoning
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 cup salsa
Base and Cheese
- 2 cups crushed tortilla chips
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Toppings
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup sliced green onions
- Optional toppings such as diced tomatoes, avocado, cilantro, or jalapeños
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the taco casserole.
- Cook Beef and Onion: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef along with the diced onion until the beef is browned and the onion softens, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain any excess grease to reduce fat content.
- Add Garlic and Seasoning: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the taco seasoning and water, then simmer the mixture for 2 to 3 minutes to blend flavors.
- Combine Beans, Corn, and Salsa: Mix in the black beans, corn, and salsa with the beef mixture and cook for another 2 minutes until heated through and well combined.
- Assemble Baking Dish: Spread half of the crushed tortilla chips evenly in the bottom of a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Spoon the taco meat mixture evenly over the chips, then sprinkle 1 cup cheddar and 1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese over the top.
- Add Remaining Layers: Add the remaining crushed tortilla chips on top of the cheese layer, followed by the remaining shredded cheeses, ensuring a cheesy topping.
- Bake: Place the baking dish uncovered in the preheated oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden.
- Rest and Serve: Remove from oven and let rest for about 5 minutes to set. Top with sour cream, sliced green onions, and any optional toppings like diced tomatoes, avocado, cilantro, or jalapeños before serving.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute ground turkey or ground chicken for the ground beef.
- For extra creaminess and flavor, stir a few tablespoons of cream cheese into the taco meat mixture before baking.
