Taco Casserole

This fun twist for Taco Tuesday features everyone's favorites: spicy ground beef, tortilla chips, cheese, and all the classic taco toppings in one baking dish. The ingredients are layered like a lasagna, and the chips even keep some of their crunch after baking. As for toppings, the sky's the limit! Anything you'd pile on a plate of nachos is fair game here. Add this casserole to your list of go-to Tex-Mex recipes for any night of the week. It's ready in under an hour, and your crew will line up for seconds. All that's missing is a margarita!

What's in taco casserole?

This recipe has three parts. First, there's a meat mixture made of ground beef, sweet bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, black beans, and corn kernels. Then there's shredded, melty Mexican-style cheese, and finally tortilla chips. The components get layered into a casserole dish and baked, then topped with your favorite fresh taco toppings. Think guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo, fresh cilantro, and crisp shredded lettuce.

Can you use frozen corn in taco casserole?

You sure can! Fresh and frozen corn both work great in this casserole. If using fresh, there's no need to cook the corn first. If using frozen, you don't even have to thaw it; just toss the frozen kernels right into the beef mixture.

What's in taco seasoning?

Taco seasoning is a bold blend of chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, and a few other spices. You can make your own or pick up a packet at the store for this recipe.

Can you use a different kind of beans for taco casserole?

Certainly. If you don't have black beans, pinto or kidney beans will work well. The beans are there to soak up all the flavor from the taco seasoning, so you really can't go wrong with the variety.

Are poblano peppers spicy?

Large, dark green poblano peppers are mildly spicy. They're somewhere between the heat of an Anaheim pepper and a jalapeño. Removing the seeds before cooking helps lessen the heat if you're worried about making this dish too spicy. You can also swap the poblano for a milder Anaheim pepper (it's long and light green).

Do you really need to grease the baking dish?

Coating your baking dish with cooking spray is worth doing. Greasing the dish keeps the cheese from sticking to the sides of the casserole and makes scooping, serving, and cleanup easier. If you don't have cooking spray, try brushing on vegetable oil.

Can I make taco casserole ahead of time?

The answer is mostly yes! The ground beef, pepper, and onion mixture can be made up to two days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Wait until just before baking to assemble the casserole so the chips still have some crunch. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days—the chips will soften over time, but the casserole will still be delicious.