Best Taco Casserole

1. Gather all ingredients.

2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a 9x13-baking dish with cooking spray.

3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir ground beef in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 8 to 10 minutes.

4. Stir in salsa, reduce heat, and simmer until liquid is absorbed, about 20 minutes. Stir in beans; cook until heated through.

5. Spread crushed tortilla chips over the bottom of the baking dish; spoon beef mixture on top. Spread sour cream over beef, then sprinkle olives, green onion, and tomatoes on top. Cover with Cheddar cheese.

6. Bake in the preheated oven until hot and bubbly, about 30 minutes.

7. Serve and enjoy!

More About This Recipe:

This easy Mexican casserole recipe, featuring convenient ingredients like jarred salsa and canned beans, is the crowd-pleasing weeknight dinner of your dreams. 

Mexican Casserole Ingredients

These are the simple ingredients you’ll need to make this flavorful Mexican casserole recipe: 

• Beef: Start with a pound of lean ground beef. For a lighter option, you can use ground turkey. 
• Salsa: Use store-bought salsa or make your own at home. 
• Canned goods: You’ll need a can of chili beans and canned black olives.  
• Chips: Crushed tortilla chips add welcome crunch and saltiness. 
• Sour cream: A layer of sour cream lends cool richness and tangy flavor. 
• Fresh produce: From the produce section, you’ll need green onions and a fresh tomato. 
• Cheese: Shredded Cheddar cheese is the perfect finishing touch.

How to Make Mexican Casserole

You’ll find the full, step-by-step recipe above – but here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you make this homemade Mexican casserole: 

1. Cook the beef. 
2. Stir in the salsa, then stir in the beans after the liquid is absorbed. 
3. Layer the casserole according to the detailed recipe below. 
4. Bake until hot and bubbly. 

What to Serve With Mexican Casserole

This Mexican casserole is a hearty meal in and of itself, but you can explore our entire collection of Mexican Side Dishes for delicious side dish inspiration. There, you’ll find top-rated recipes like Cilantro Lime Rice and Elote. 

As far as drinks go, you can’t go wrong with a Classic Margarita. 

How to Store Mexican Casserole

Store your leftover Mexican casserole in an airtight container (or covered tightly with storage wrap or foil in the baking dish) for up to four days. Reheat in the oven or microwave. 

Can You Freeze Mexican Casserole? 

Yes, Mexican casserole freezes well! If you plan to freeze it, go ahead and bake it in a foil pan. Cover the whole thing tightly in at least one layer of storage wrap, then at least one layer of aluminum foil. Freeze for up to three months. 

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

“This is absolutely delicious,” raves one Allrecipes community member. “I made it once exactly as is and the kids wanted it again the next day, so I had to substitute corn instead of chili beans. That was also delicious.”

“Very tasty and flavorful,” according to another reviewer. “We added taco seasoning and a 6-ounce can of chopped green chiles to the meat/bean mixture.”

“I’ve made it twice,” says Dean Gapp. “Once with ground beef and the other with shredded chicken. Great easy dish! Endless possibilities for modifications.”

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams