Taco Casserole
Taco Casserole is a family favorite as it combines ground beef, onion, pepper, taco seasoning, beans, cheese, and sour cream that is then topped with Fritos. It is the perfect quick meal you are looking for on a busy weeknight.
Taco Casserole
Casseroles are a staple in our home. It is a dish that I can throw together early in the day and bake right before it is time to sit down at the table. Some of our favorites are chicken and stuffing casserole, chicken Cordon Bleu casserole, and of course this Taco Casserole.
You are going to fall in love with this Taco Casserole for so many reasons.
- Easy to make.
- Customizable.
- Perfect when you are craving tacos.
- Family favorite.
- Budget friendly.
- You can make it ahead for those busy nights of running around.
Ingredients:
- 2 Pounds Ground Beef (80/20)
- 1 Medium Sized Onion, Diced
- 1 Red Bell Pepper, Seeded and Diced
- 2 Ounces Taco Seasoning
- ¼ Cup Water
- 10 Ounces Pinto Beans Or Refried Beans (Drain and Rinse If Using Canned Beans)
- 1 Cup Sour Cream
- 1 Cup Fritos
- 2 Cups Colby Jack Cheese, Shredded
How to Make Taco Casserole
- Preheat the oven to 350℉ and prepare a 9×13 casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- Heat a nonstick skillet over medium high heat, cook and break up the ground beef along with the onion and red bell pepper and onion until the ground beef is no longer pink. Drain the excess fat if necessary.
- Reduce the heat to medium, stir in the taco seasoning, and water until thoroughly combined. Remove from the heat and set aside.
- Spread the pinto beans/refried beans to the bottom of the casserole dish. Spread the sour cream over the beans. Add in beef mixture and spread evenly.
- Evenly arrange the Fritos and sprinkle on the cheddar cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 10-15 minutes or until the cheese on top has completely melted.
- Let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Serve as is or add any of the following toppings. Shredded lettuce, chopped fresh tomato, chopped fresh red onion, green onions, olives, sliced jalapenos, hot sauce, taco sauce.
Tips Tricks and FAQs
- You can adjust the seasoning level up or down based on your preferences.
- This recipe calls for ground beef, but you could also use ground turkey if you prefer.
- You can swap out the type of beans if you prefer. Black beans or kidney beans are both great options. You can omit them completely as well if you choose.
- You want to ensure that your sour cream comes all the way to room temperature before adding it to the casserole. This will ensure that it does not separate while your taco casserole cooks.
- You can add other favorites to the top of this dish like olives, tomatoes, or cilantro.
- You can use the Fritos as a topping instead of baking it with the casserole.
Storage
You will want to store your leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container. These will keep for up to 3 days.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, you can easily make this up to 48 hours in advance. Cover and store in the fridge. Let it come back to room temperature prior to baking it to ensure the sour cream does not curdle as it bakes.
Taco Casserole
Taco Casserole is a family favorite as it combines ground beef, onion, pepper, taco seasoning, beans, cheese, and sour cream that is then topped with Fritos. It is the perfect quick meal you are looking for on a busy weeknight.
Ingredients
- 2 Pounds Ground Beef (80/20)
- 1 Medium Sized Onion, Diced
- 1 Red Bell Pepper, Seeded and Diced
- 2 Ounces Taco Seasoning
- ¼ Cup Water
- 10 Ounces Pinto Beans Or Refried Beans (Drain and Rinse If Using Canned Beans)
- 1 Cup Sour Cream
- 1 Cup Fritos
- 2 Cups Colby Jack Cheese, Shredded
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉ and prepare a 9x13 casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- Heat a nonstick skillet over medium high heat, cook and break up the ground beef along with the onion and red bell pepper and onion until the ground beef is no longer pink. Drain the excess fat if necessary.
- Reduce the heat to medium, stir in the taco seasoning and water until completely combined. Remove from the heat and set aside.
- Spread the pinto beans/refried beans to the bottom of the casserole dish. Spread the sour cream over the beans. Add in beef mixture and spread evenly.
- Evenly arrange the Fritos and sprinkle on the cheddar cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 10-15 minutes or until the cheese on top has completely melted.
- Let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Serve as is or add any of the following toppings. Shredded lettuce, chopped fresh tomato, chopped fresh red onion, green onions, olives, sliced jalapenos, hot sauce, taco sauce.
