Taco casserole is a straightforward weeknight meal made with floor beef that could be a nice make forward meal for these busy nights with all of the issues happening in life.
I’m in a distinct place in life hastily. I’ve received three children in completely totally different levels of life and whereas it needs to be higher as a result of all of them go to highschool day by day (effectively, half day on the Kindergartner) it’s really loopy busy. Excessive schoolers have so, a lot happening, however sixth grade is all concerning the tasks and busy work with faculty plus budding social lives after which Kindergarten. Effectively, you all know the busy work of Kindergarten!
I’ve been asking on instagram how I may help you get dinner on the desk and the unanimous vote was for one thing with floor beef and that may be made forward or frozen. Our tacky floor beef and rice casserole checks all these containers, however right here is an alternative choice! Cue the taco casserole…
What Goes in Taco Casserole?
Assume taco components plus just a few additional objects for extra taste and layers! Here’s what you will have with a bit clarification of why it’s included:
- Corn Tortillas: these give the casserole construction and taste
- Purple Enchilada Sauce: retains the tortillas good and gentle and provides a lot taste
- Onion: taste, taste, taste and a few texture too
- Purple Bell Pepper: ditto
- Garlic: taste
- Floor Beef: essential supply of protein and the actual substance of the casserole, this may be swapped for floor turkey or hen
- Taco Seasoning: we love our home made seasoning, however you may go together with retailer purchased too
- Water: helps thicken the taco seasoning and hold the meat moist
- Fireplace Roasted Tomatoes: taste all day, a touch of smokiness and simply the tiniest bit of warmth
- Refried Beans: one other nice supply of protein and helps the meat stick collectively for the construction of the casserole
- Colby Jack Cheese: all Mexican dishes needs to be topped with a layer of melted gooey cheese!
- Monterey Jack Cheese: see above
- Olives: taste, texture
- Purple Onion: taste, texture and a shiny pop of shade
- Inexperienced Onion: that shiny inexperienced shade and contemporary burst of taste
- Tomato: taste, you might use contemporary pico de gallo as an alternative – yum!
- Fritos: the crunch is all the feel you want!
The measurements for every ingredient will be discovered within the recipe card down under.
Steps to Making Taco Casserole
One of the best issues about casseroles is that they’re so simple to make and so they make nice leftovers! You may make them forward of time and throw them within the oven once you’re able to eat it or they make nice freezer meals! They’re only a win win throughout. Listed below are the fundamental steps for making this casserole recipe:
- Preheat oven.
- Place the pink enchilada sauce in a shallow dish and dip all sides of the tortillas in it. Set them apart.
- Grease a 9×13 baking dish.
- Warmth just a few drizzles of olive oil in a big pan over medium warmth then add the onions and bell peppers. Prepare dinner till tender.
- Add the garlic and stir till aromatic. Push every part to 1 facet and add the bottom beef.
- Brown the bottom beef and break it up till small and cooked via. Drain the surplus grease and add the taco seasoning, water, enchilada sauce and canned tomatoes.
- Stir every part collectively and let simmer till the liquid has absorbed and the combination thickens.
- Place 4 of the tortillas on the underside of the baking dish. Unfold half the beans and half the meat on the tortillas.
- Mix the cheeses in a small bowl after which sprinkle half the cheese.
- Repeat the identical layers yet another time after which bake.
- Take away from oven and add toppings. Serve!
All of those directions will be present in full element within the recipe card on the finish of this put up.
Instruments You Will Want
- Meat chopper – this appears foolish, but it surely significantly is a recreation changer! And they’re so reasonably priced!
- Knives – for all of the veggies that have to be chopped, a great set of knives will make all of the distinction.
- Skillet – for browning the meat and sauteing all of the greens
- Casserole Dish – any 9×13 oven-safe pan will do
Different Non-compulsory Elements
You would actually do any toppings you need! No matter your favourite Mexican meals toppings could also be. Listed below are some extra concepts:
Make it Low Carb
I really like that you just don’t have to make use of the tortillas if you happen to’re watching your carbs. Or you might completely throw in cauliflower rice to bulk it up.
Can I Substitute Floor Turkey?
You certain can! You would use floor turkey, floor hen and even chorizo to your meat!
Why You Will Love This Recipe
In addition to simply being so dang scrumptious, this recipe is fast and straightforward! It makes use of floor beef which is well-liked with the kiddos and a protein that most individuals often have have readily available. You can even make it forward of time and throw it into the fridge till you’re able to bake it. You would make it as much as 2 days forward of time and simply retailer it lined within the fridge.
It additionally makes an incredible freezer meal. You’ll be able to freeze it baked or not baked. If you’re able to eat it, let it thaw within the fridge after which bake as directed. To freeze it, wrap it twice in plastic wrap after which in foil. It should hold for as much as 3 months within the freezer.
If fast and straightforward floor beef recipes is what you’re in search of, look no additional! This taco casserole has all of the basic taco flavors you’re keen on all packed right into a handy household pleasant casserole. Take pleasure in!
Extra Straightforward Floor Beef Recipes:
Taco Casserole
- 8 Corn Tortillas
- 15 ounces Purple Enchilada Sauce (See observe for a hyperlink to our home made recipe)
- 1/2 Onion (chopped)
- 1 Purple Bell Pepper (chopped)
- 1 Tablespoon Garlic (minced)
- 1.5 kilos Floor Beef
- 2 Packets Taco Seasoning (or 4 Tablespoons)
- 3/4 Cup Water
- 14.5 ounce Can Fireplace Roasted Tomatoes (drained)
- 28 ounce Can Refried Beans (you should use simply black beans)
- 2 1/2 Cups Colby Jack Cheese (shredded)
- 2 Cups Monterey Jack Cheese (shredded)
- 1 Can Sliced Olives
- 1/4 Cup Purple Onion (minced)
- 1 Inexperienced Onion (chopped)
- 1 Tomato (chopped)
- 1 1/2 Cups Fritos
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Warmth the oven to 350 levels.
In a shallow dish, add the pink enchilada sauce and dip all sides of the tortillas. Put aside in a greased 9×13″ baking dish.
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In a big pan over medium warmth, add a drizzle of oil and add the onions and bell pepper. Prepare dinner, stirring sometimes till softened. Add the garlic and stir for 30 seconds then push every part to 1 facet and add the bottom beef.
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Prepare dinner, breaking apart the meat with a meat chopper till cooked via. Drain the grease. Add the taco seasoning, water, remaining pink enchilada sauce and drained tomatoes. Prepare dinner, stirring the onions and peppers in as effectively till the liquid is absorbed and thickened.
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Place 4 tortillas within the backside of the pan, setting the opposite 4 apart. Unfold with half of the beans and half of the meat combination.
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In a bowl, toss the cheeses collectively. Sprinkle half of the cheeses on the layer.
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Repeat the identical layers yet another time like a lasagna ending with cheese. Bake for half-hour.
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Take away from the oven and high with garnishes then serve!
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