Short Description
Doritos Taco Casserole is a flavorful and cheesy dish packed with taco-seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, and crunchy Doritos. This easy-to-make recipe is perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or game nights, offering a delicious fusion of Mexican and American flavors.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy to prepare, making it ideal for busy weeknights
- A crowd-pleasing dish that kids and adults will love
- Loaded with cheesy, crunchy, and savory goodness
- Customizable with your favorite taco toppings
- Great for meal prepping or feeding a large group
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Ground beef
- Taco seasoning
- Water
- Salsa
- Canned black beans (drained and rinsed)
- Corn kernels
- Sour cream
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Nacho cheese Doritos
- Chopped green onions (for garnish)
- Diced tomatoes (for garnish)
- Optional toppings: jalapeños, black olives, guacamole
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Add taco seasoning and water to the beef, stirring until well combined. Let it simmer for a few minutes.
- Stir in salsa, black beans, and corn, cooking for another 2-3 minutes.
- In a greased baking dish, layer half of the crushed Doritos at the bottom.
- Spread half of the beef mixture over the Doritos, followed by a layer of sour cream and shredded cheese.
- Repeat the layers with the remaining ingredients, ending with a topping of crushed Doritos and cheese.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
- Garnish with green onions, diced tomatoes, and other favorite toppings.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 6-8
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
Variations
- Spicy Kick: Add diced jalapeños or use spicy Doritos for extra heat.
- Vegetarian Option: Swap ground beef for plant-based crumbles or extra beans.
- Different Cheese: Use pepper jack or Monterey Jack for a unique flavor twist.
- Healthier Version: Opt for baked tortilla chips and reduced-fat cheese and sour cream.
- Extra Protein: Add shredded rotisserie chicken instead of ground beef.
Storage/Reheating
- Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Freeze the casserole (before adding toppings) for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
- Reheating: Warm in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes or microwave individual portions for 1-2 minutes.
FAQs
How can I keep the Doritos from getting soggy?
To maintain crispiness, add a fresh layer of crushed Doritos just before serving.
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes! Prepare and assemble the casserole in advance, then bake it when ready to serve.
What other meats can I use?
You can substitute ground turkey, chicken, or even shredded rotisserie chicken.
Can I use homemade taco seasoning?
Absolutely! A mix of chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika works well.
What type of Doritos should I use?
Nacho cheese Doritos are classic, but you can experiment with Cool Ranch or Spicy Nacho.
Can I make this in a slow cooker?
Yes, layer the ingredients in a slow cooker and cook on low for 4 hours before adding Doritos and cheese.
What side dishes pair well with this casserole?
It goes great with a side salad, Mexican rice, or refried beans.
How do I make it creamier?
Mix a little cream cheese or extra sour cream into the beef mixture.
Can I make this casserole gluten-free?
Yes! Use gluten-free tortilla chips instead of Doritos and verify seasoning ingredients.
What toppings work best for this casserole?
Avocado, guacamole, chopped cilantro, black olives, and extra cheese are all great options.
Conclusion
Doritos Taco Casserole is the ultimate comfort food with a perfect mix of flavors and textures. Whether you’re making it for a casual family dinner or a fun gathering, it’s sure to be a hit. With its versatility and easy customization, you’ll find yourself making this dish again and again. Enjoy!
PrintDoritos Taco Casserole
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner, Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Description
This Doritos Taco Casserole is a fun, cheesy, and crunchy twist on classic taco flavors! Made with seasoned ground beef, creamy salsa, and layers of nacho cheese Doritos, this easy casserole is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing potluck dish.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 3/4 cup water
- 1 can (10 oz) Rotel tomatoes (diced tomatoes with green chilies)
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup (or cream of chicken)
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 cup salsa
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
- 3 cups Nacho Cheese Doritos, crushed
- 1/2 cup black olives, sliced (optional)
- 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook the beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion until the meat is browned and the onions are soft. Drain any excess grease.
- Season the beef: Add taco seasoning and water, stirring to combine. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until thickened.
- Mix the filling: Stir in Rotel tomatoes, black beans, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, and salsa. Cook for 2-3 minutes, then remove from heat.
- Layer the casserole: Spread half of the crushed Doritos in the bottom of the baking dish. Spoon half of the beef mixture over the chips. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheese. Repeat layers.
- Bake for 25 minutes until bubbly and heated through.
- Add toppings: Sprinkle with the remaining crushed Doritos, black olives (if using), and green onions. Bake for an additional 5 minutes.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Swap out the ground beef for ground turkey or shredded chicken for a lighter option.
- For extra heat, add jalapeños or use spicy taco seasoning.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven for best results.
Nutrition
- Calories: ~450
- Sugar: ~4g
- Sodium: ~850mg
- Fat: ~24g
- Saturated Fat: ~10g
- Unsaturated Fat: ~10g
- Trans Fat: ~0g
- Carbohydrates: ~35g
- Fiber: ~5g
- Protein: ~22g
- Cholesterol: ~55mg
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