All the bold taco flavors baked into one cozy, scoopable casserole, fun, hearty, and made for sharing.
Prep & Cook Time
Prep: 15 min
Cook: 35 min
Total: 50 min
Ingredients
1½ lb ground beef
1 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup crushed corn chips
1 cup cooked rice
1½ cups shredded cheddar-style cheese
1 cup canned diced tomatoes, drained
1 tbsp mild chili seasoning (homemade blend)
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a baking dish so the casserole lifts out easily after baking.
Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, then cook the ground beef with the onion until browned and crumbly, draining excess fat if needed.
Stir in the garlic, diced tomatoes, chili seasoning, salt, and pepper, letting everything simmer briefly so the flavors blend together.
Fold in the cooked rice and crushed corn chips, spreading the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top and bake until melted, bubbly, and lightly golden around the edges.
Let the casserole rest a few minutes before serving so it sets slightly and scoops cleanly.
Nutrition Facts (approx)
Calories: 460 | Protein: 28g | Carbs: 34g | Fat: 24g
Quick Facts
• one-pan baked dinner
• cold weather comfort
• family approved
• crowd friendly
• game-day style meal
Tips
- Crush the corn chips lightly, leaving some larger pieces so the casserole keeps texture instead of turning soft.
- Let the beef mixture cool slightly before baking, it helps the layers stay defined.
- Resting after baking improves structure and makes serving much easier.
Variations
Switch the protein by using ground chicken or turkey, keeping the same seasoning for a lighter but still satisfying version. For another crowd-pleasing dinner that’s bold and saucy, the Buttermilk Ranch Chicken brings familiar flavors in a whole new format.
Turn up the comfort factor by adding a thin layer of mashed potatoes before the cheese, creating a soft, creamy contrast to the crunchy topping. It’s a great move if you love the feel of layered casseroles, similar to what you get in the French Onion Pot Roast where richness and coziness go hand in hand.
For a veggie-forward twist, replace half the meat with black beans and corn, giving extra fiber while keeping the classic taco flavor profile. Then balance it all with a side like the Creamy Mushroom and Thyme Soup, which rounds out the meal with earthy warmth.