Fantastic Taco Casserole

35m
Prep Time
55m
Cook Time
1h 30m
Ready In


"A KC favorite! I think this casserole tastes even better than a taco, if you love tacos, then you will love this casserole! All ingredient amounts can be adjusted to suit taste. It is best to prepare this casserole and bake right away as the broken tacos will get too soggy"

Original is 8 servings

Nutritional

  • Serving Size: 1 (339.2 g)
  • Calories 529.2
  • Total Fat - 29.4 g
  • Saturated Fat - 12.9 g
  • Cholesterol - 113.6 mg
  • Sodium - 2379.2 mg
  • Total Carbohydrate - 22.7 g
  • Dietary Fiber - 4.2 g
  • Sugars - 9 g
  • Protein - 41.9 g
  • Calcium - 591.5 mg
  • Iron - 3.7 mg
  • Vitamin C - 17.6 mg
  • Thiamin - 0.1 mg

Step by Step Method

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 13 x 9-inch baking pan.

Step 2

Cook beef, onion, bell pepper, chili flakes and garlic until beef is no longer pink; drain then season with seasoning salt and black pepper (or cayenne pepper). Stir in water, taco sauce, green chiles, half of the olives and taco seasoning mix (you can use 2 packages of seasoning mix if desired for this). Cook over low heat for about 6-8 minutes.

Step 3

Layer HALF of broken shells on bottom of greased baking pan; cover with HALF of meat sauce, then sprinkle with 2 cups (or to taste) cheddar cheese. Repeat with remaining broken taco shells, meat sauce and then top with remaining cheese (to prevent the cheese from getting hard, you can sprinkle on the last 10 minutes before the end of baking time and return to oven until melted).

Step 4

Bake for 20 minutes or until bubbly, and cheese is melted. After baking, sprinkle with remaining olives, tomatoes and green onions. **NOTE** I sometimes drizzle bottled salsa sauce (mild or spicy) on top of the ground beef and then on top before baking. DELICIOUS!

Tips


No special items needed.

Editorial Notes

The ingredient tips, suggestions, variations, facts, questions and answers below are not edits to the original author's recipe. They are not meant to imply any change would improve the recipe. They're offered for convenience, alternative ideas, and points of interest. If you have any comments about them, please post in the Help & Ideas forum.


  • For a spicier casserole, use a hotter variety of chili flakes or add extra chili flakes.
  • When selecting the olives, you can use either green or black olives, depending on your preference.

  • Substitute ground turkey for the ground beef for a leaner option - the benefit of this substitution is that it is a healthier alternative to using beef, as it is lower in fat and calories. The thinking behind this substitution is that it can help reduce the overall fat and calorie content of the dish.
  • Substitute black beans for the green chilies for a vegetarian option - the benefit of this substitution is that it makes the dish vegetarian-friendly. The thinking behind this substitution is that it can provide an alternative for vegetarians who do not eat meat.

Veggie Taco Casserole Substitute the ground beef with 1 1/2 pounds of diced mushrooms, 1 1/2 cups of cooked black beans, and 1 cup of diced red onion. Follow the same instructions as the original recipe.


Veggie Burrito Bowl Substitute the ground beef with 1 1/2 cups of cooked quinoa, 1 can of black beans, 1 cup of diced bell peppers, and 1/2 cup of diced red onion. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the quinoa, black beans, bell peppers, and onion. Cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes. Assemble the burrito bowls by dividing the cooked quinoa mixture among four bowls and topping with salsa, guacamole, and shredded cheese. Enjoy!


Mexican Street Corn Salad - This sweet and savory salad is the perfect side to the Fantastic Taco Casserole. It's light and refreshing, and the lime and cilantro give it a wonderful flavor that complements the casserole's spiciness. Plus, the creamy texture of the corn salad helps to balance out the crunch of the casserole.


Mexican Rice - This Mexican-style rice is a great accompaniment to the Fantastic Taco Casserole and Mexican Street Corn Salad. The combination of long grain rice, garlic, onion and cumin gives it a delicious flavor that pairs perfectly with the casserole and salad. Plus, the fluffy texture of the rice helps to create a more balanced meal.




FAQ

Q: How much cheese should I use for this recipe?

A: You will need 4 cups of shredded cheddar cheese, divided into two parts. 2 cups for each layer of the casserole.



Q: What temperature should I bake the casserole?

A: Preheat your oven to 350°F and bake the casserole for 25-30 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

3 Reviews

milford

Thank you. Great recipe. But I changed it. 2# ground beef enchilada sauce refried beans black beans corn All this with your regular sauce. I used a 10 X 13 pan and used a full bag 11 oz plus half a bag more tortilla chips. Baked 30 min. then added the other half of cheese. 10 min. at 400deg. and its fantastic!

5.0

review by:
(25 Aug 2017)

Dissie

This is a fantastic casserole! I used multi colored tortilla chips, I didn't include the olives as a family member doesn't care for olives. This really tastes like a taco! Loved it! Thanks for a delicious dinner. Made for Cinco de Mayo cookathon!

5.0

review by:
(6 May 2013)

Bergy

This is fantastic - great flavor and there is a crunch from the corn tortilla chips. I got everthing ready in the AM but did not assemble it until I was ready to pop it in the oven. I didn't put a top layer of cheese just the middle layer. we devoured it Mmmmm

5.0

review by:
(6 Aug 2012)

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Fun facts:

The taco casserole is a favorite in Kansas City, Missouri, where it was created in the late 1960s by a local restaurant owner. This dish has become a staple in the area and is often served at family gatherings and potlucks.

The taco casserole gained national attention when it was featured on the popular cooking show, The Pioneer Woman. Host Ree Drummond raved about the dish and has since made it a regular feature on her show.