Crunchy, cheesy, and loaded with your favorite toppings! Our family BEGS for this taco casserole every week. This weeknight dinner is easy to make ahead and bake later, using what you have on hand. Top with tortilla chips or Fritos, tomatoes, lettuce, green onions – whatever you like. Serve with Creamy Avocado Lime Rice, or turn it into burrito filling using my fluffy, foolproof Soft Flour Tortilla recipe.
Easy Taco Casserole
There is so much to love about a cheesy, crunchy, colorful Taco Casserole! I’ve served this so many times I’ve lost count. It always get wiped out, without leftovers in sight. We crave it weekly!
This easy dinner (or dip) only takes 5 minutes of prep work, a little stovetop cooking, and a 15-minute sizzle in the oven. Can we talk about a family-pleasing pan of deliciousness? This one is a game changer at my dinner table – and is requested over and over again, for good reason!
For a houseful of kids (and us big kids), this tasty layered Taco Casserole always hits the spot. It is our favorite easy, throw-it-together weeknight meal. All of the ingredients are easy to find, the preparation is quick, and each bite is a total flavor bomb! 🔥 This 6-ingredient taco casserole can easily be made ahead and baked later. As a bonus, leftovers make delicious burrito filling!
Wanna load it up with toppings? Try these!
- Tortilla chips, Doritos or Fritos
- Additional shredded cheese
- Sliced black olives
- Sliced green onions
- Shredded lettuce
- Guacamole
- Chopped tomatoes
- Salsa
- Black beans
- Cooked rice
- Corn kernels
- Diced jalapenos
Let’s jump into the recipe!
Ready to cook your own Easy Taco Casserole?
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Set a large pan to medium heat.
• Add ground turkey and diced onion to pan. Cook and crumble until meat is cooked through, about 5 minutes. Drain excess grease. Add 1/2 cup water and taco seasoning. Bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat to low. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until most of the water has cooked off. Remove from heat.
• Spread refried beans in an even layer in a deep 13 x 9-inch (or so) baking dish. Spread sour cream over bean layer. Top with meat, then with shredded cheddar.
• If cooking ahead of time, cover and refrigerate until ready to bake.
• If baking right away, bake uncovered for 15 minutes, or until cheese is hot and bubbly.
• Sprinkle with your desired toppings (see Topping Ideas above).
Keep reading for full ingredient list + recipe, below
Want more easy Weeknight Meals? Try these!
• Tex-Mex Chicken Taco Flatbread
• Skinny Crock Pot Santa Fe Chicken
• Mexican Grilled Steak Salad with Honey Lime Dressing
• Homemade Crunchwrap Supremes {Better than Taco Bell}
What to serve with Taco Casserole:
• Homemade Soft Flour Tortillas
Easy Taco Casserole
Crunchy, cheesy, and loaded with your favorite toppings! Our family BEGS for this taco casserole every week. This weeknight dinner is easy to make ahead and bake later, using what you have on hand. Top with tortilla chips or Fritos, tomatoes, lettuce, green onions - whatever you like!
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground turkey or beef
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 Tbsp. taco seasoning
- 1 (16 oz.) can refried beans
- 3/4 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Topping Ideas
- Tortilla chips, Doritos or Fritos
- Additional shredded cheese
- Sliced black olives
- Sliced green onions
- Shredded lettuce
- Guacamole
- Chopped tomatoes
- Salsa
- Black beans
- Cooked rice
- Corn kernels
- Diced jalapenos
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Set a large pan to medium heat.
- Add ground turkey and diced onion to pan. Cook and crumble until meat is cooked through, about 5 minutes. Drain excess grease. Add 1/2 cup water and taco seasoning. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until most of the water has cooked off. Remove from heat.
- Spread refried beans in an even layer in a deep 13 x 9-inch (or so) baking dish. Spread sour cream over bean layer. Top with meat, then with shredded cheddar.
- If cooking ahead of time, cover and refrigerate until ready to bake.
- If baking right away, bake uncovered for 15 minutes, or until cheese is hot and bubbly.
- Sprinkle with your desired toppings (see Topping Ideas above).
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
To make ahead: Prepare recipe as instructed. Let cool completely. Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days.
Leftovers make a great dip with chips, or filling for burritos! Leftovers should be refrigerated in an airtight container and are best if used within 3-4 days. Reheat in a microwave, or in an oven safe dish at 350° until heated through. Add toppings just before serving.
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This recipe is just awesome like you.
I recently tried my hand at making Easy Taco Casserole, and it turned out delicious! The combination of cheese, beef, tomatoes, and taco seasoning created a dish that was both hearty and flavorful. Plus, the entire process was easy and hassle-free.