Easy Taco Casserole

Double the recipe next time it’s taco night and use the leftovers to make this easy taco casserole. It’s cheesy, filling, and can be on the table in under 30 minutes.

Is Taco Tuesday a thing at your house? It is at ours. We always have leftover taco meat because I plan it that way. Isn’t leftovers the best part of Taco Tuesday, anyway? You can make nachos, Mexican pizzas or, now, this easy taco casserole.

It isn’t hard to see why this recipe is so appealing. It takes all your favorite Mexican flavors and layers them in the comforting familiarity of a casserole. The refried beans are filling and inexpensive, especially if you make your own. The salsa and sour cream mixed together form a light, creamy sauce, and the cheese gets perfectly melted and oozy. Tortilla chip crumbs add just the right amount of crunch- and the perfect way to use up the rest of the bag.

This easy taco casserole might call for essentially the same ingredients as regular tacos, but I promise, when you make it, no one will complain about eating leftovers.

Easy Taco Casserole

loosely adapted from The Foodie and the Family

Ingredients

4 flour tortillas
1 lb. ground beef
taco seasoning
1 1/2 c. refried beans
1 1/2 c. salsa
1 c. sour cream
2 c. shredded cheese
for garnish: avocado, onion, tomato, lettuce, crushed tortilla chips

Instructions

Brown ground beef and season with taco seasoning according to package directions. If you’re using leftover taco meat, you can start assembling your casserole!

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix together salsa and sour cream. In an 8-inch round casserole dish- or whatever size your tortillas are- build your layers. Place a tortilla on the bottom of the dish. Spread half a cup of refried beans on top. Sprinkle one third of the taco meat over the beans, spread a layer of the salsa mixture over that, and top with half a cup of cheese.

Repeat to make two more layers. Top the final layer with the last tortilla, a dollop of the salsa mixture, and sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Leftover salsa mixture is okay- it’s great to serve with the meal. Cover the casserole with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake 5 to 7 minutes more, until cheese begins to bubble.

Serve with the garnishes of your choice.