When you need a weeknight meal that the whole family is sure to love, this Ground Beef Taco Casserole recipe fits the bill. Juicy ground beef mingles with zesty Ro-tel tomatoes, creamy refried beans, and a generous sprinkle of your favorite taco seasoning; all layered with crunchy Doritos and gooey cheddar cheese. It delivers everything you love about taco night, all packed into a delicious, cheesy dish.
As we settle into this season of comfort, what better way to embrace it than with a hearty Taco Casserole? It brings together the cozy vibes we crave as the days get a little shorter and the nights a bit cooler.
Give it a try, and I think you will love it as much as we do.
If you are looking for more comfort food recipes with Southwestern flair, don't miss my Crockpot Taco Soup.
Ingredients
- Ground beef: Use ground turkey for a lighter version.
- Onion: I recommend yellow or white onion.
- Minced garlic: Use fresh minced, jarred, or frozen garlic.
- Taco seasoning: I used pre-made for convenience, but you can make your own with a blend of chili powder, cumin, paprika ( I recommend smoked), garlic powder, onion powder, Mexican oregano, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. You can check out my taco seasoning recipe.
- Apple cider vinegar: Red wine vinegar could be substituted.
- Ro-tel diced tomatoes & green chilies: You could use 3 cups of salsa instead.
- Refried beans: Use your favorite canned brand or make your own.
- Cheddar cheese: You could substitute Monterey jack cheese if you prefer.
- Crushed Doritos: We love Doritos here, but feel free to use your favorite tortilla chips.
- For serving: diced tomatoes, scallions, black olives, sour cream, more Doritos, avocado, shredded lettuce, hot sauce, and/or cilantro
Tips and Tricks
- Want to lighten it up a bit? Swap the ground beef in this Dorito taco casserole with ground turkey or chicken.
- Use freshly grated cheese for better meltability and flavor.
- If you prefer more heat, choose a spicier variety of Ro-tel or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- For extra crunch, reserve some Doritos to sprinkle on top just before serving.
- Customize your toppings and add-ins to suit personal preferences; try adding sliced jalapeños, black beans, bell peppers, green onion, corn, or black olives.
- Want to make this with chicken? Use my Crockpot Salsa Chicken adding taco seasoning, and then build the casserole as directed.
- Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will keep for about 3 days.
Step by Step
More Casserole Recipes
- Baked Spaghetti with Cream Cheese is a creamy twist on a classic favorite.
- Let your slow cooker do the work with Crockpot Pizza Casserole, a family-friendly dish that's perfect for busy nights.
- Cornbread Casserole is a sweet and savory delight that pairs well with any meal.
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole is a hearty dish that combines all your favorite tastes in one bake.
Ground Beef Taco Casserole with Doritos
When you need a weeknight meal that the whole family is sure to love, this Taco Casserole recipe fits the bill. Juicy ground beef mingles with zesty Ro-tel tomatoes, creamy refried beans, and a generous sprinkle of your favorite taco seasoning; all layered with crunchy Doritos and gooey cheddar cheese. It delivers everything you love about taco night, all packed into a delicious, cheesy dish.
Servings: 8
Calories: 719kcal
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 onion chopped
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- ¼ cup taco seasoning
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 (10-ounce) cans Ro-tel diced tomatoes & green chilies divided
- 1 (16-ounce) can refried beans
- 12 ounces shredded cheddar cheese divided
- 6 ounces crushed Doritos
- For serving: diced tomatoes scallions, sour cream, more Doritos, avocado, shredded lettuce, cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9 x 13 casserole dish with cooking spray.
- Spray a large skillet with cooking spray and set to medium-high heat. Add the ground beef. Cook, breaking up with the back of a spoon, for 5 minutes. Add the onion, and cook for another 5 minutes, until the onion is tender and the ground beef is browned. Drain any excess grease if necessary.
- Add the garlic, and cook for another 30 seconds. Sprinkle with the taco seasoning and salt, and stir in the vinegar. Add one can of the Ro-tel tomatoes and cook for another 3 minutes. Remove from the heat.
- In a bowl, stir together the other can of Rotel and the refried beans.
- Spread on the bottom of the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle 1 ½ cups of the cheese on top.
- Sprinkle half of the Doritos on top of the cheese, and then add the meat mixture on top.
- Add the remaining chips, and then sprinkle with cheese.
- Bake for 20 minutes, until bubbly.
Nutrition
Calories: 719kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 44g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 123mg | Sodium: 1630mg | Potassium: 1570mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 1867IU | Vitamin C: 62mg | Calcium: 557mg | Iron: 9mg
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