Taco Casserole Recipe (2024)

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This taco casserole recipe is like a taco salad in casserole form! This taco bake is perfect for dinner or your next potluck.

For more Mexican casseroles try Beef Enchilada Casserole, Mexican Casserole, or Chicken Enchilada Casserole!

Taco Casserole Recipe (1)

We Love Easy!

Taco Salad is a classic dinner recipe and this taco casserole recipe is a tasty twist. It has all the great flavor of taco salad making it a Mexican dinner staple that we love!

Why we love it:

  • Make it your own. Add all the ingredients you love, but we usually add sour cream, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and olives! Try topping it off with a delicious Taco Salad Dressing!
  • An easy dinner. Casseroles are the ultimate solution for weeknight family dinners and potlucks!
  • Quick prep time. Just layer and bake for a filling meal that is on the table in about 40 minutes!
Taco Casserole Recipe (2)
Taco Casserole Recipe (3)

Ingredients

  • ground beef or use ground turkey or ground chicken
  • taco seasoning sprinkle in some cumin, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, or chili powder for extra flavor.
  • largeeggs
  • milk
  • biscuit/baking mix – in place of biscuit mix, try cornbread mix
  • black pepper
  • sour cream
  • chopped lettuce
  • chopped tomato
  • shredded cheddar cheese Mexican blend cheese, Colby, or Monterey jack cheese
  • black olives
Taco Casserole Recipe (4)
Taco Casserole Recipe (5)

How to Make Taco Casserole

  1. GROUND BEEF. Cook the ground beef over medium-high heat, drain, and add the Taco Seasoning. Spread the meat on the bottom of a 9×13 casserole dish.
  2. BISCUIT LAYER. Beat the eggs, milk, biscuit mix, and pepper until well combined, and pour over ground beef. Bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
  3. TOPPINGS. Let it cool for a few minutes, and then spread on sour cream. Top with your desired toppings. We do shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, shredded cheese, and black olives.

More toppings. Other toppings include Pico de Gallo, sliced avocados, Refried Beans, green onions, black beans, Salsa, Guacamole, or fresh cilantro.

Taco Casserole Recipe (6)

Recipe Tips

  • For later meals. Keep leftover taco meat in an airtight container in the fridge for about 3 days, or in the freezer for 4-6 months.
    • When I’m thinking ahead, I make a large batch of taco meat (several pounds), divide it into 1 pound portions, and freeze it.
    • The Taco Beef mixture can be used to make meals like Taco Pasta Shells, Taco Pie, and of course this taco casserole.
  • Variations. Mix black beans, bell peppers, or corn into the ground beef mixture.
  • Serving suggestions. Pair this casserole with Spanish Rice, Tortilla Chips & Salsa, Loaded Nachos, or Chili’s Salsa.
Taco Casserole Recipe (7)

Storage Tips

  • Make ahead of time. Let baked biscuit/meat cool and cover. Prepare the toppings and store them in separate containers.
    • Store all ingredients in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. To serve, heat the biscuit/meat mix in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, or until warm. Layer remaining ingredients per recipe instructions.
  • STORE. Leftovers can last in the fridge for about 3 days.
    • Remove the topping as best you can. Place the desired serving in the microwave for 30-second increments until hot. Heat it in the oven at 350°F for 5-10 minutes depending on the amount. Once hot, place the lettuce topping mix back on and enjoy!
  • FREEZE. Wrap cooled casserole in plastic wrap then again in aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months.
    • Thaw and bake uncovered in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, or until warm. Layer remaining ingredients per recipe instructions.
Taco Casserole Recipe (8)

For More Mexican Casseroles:

Chicken Enchilada Casserole

1 hr

Recipe Video

Mexican Casserole

1 hr

Beef Enchilada Casserole

50 mins

Recipe Video

Chile Relleno Casserole

40 mins

Recipe Video

Taco Casserole Recipe (13)

Taco Casserole Recipe (14)

5 from 108 votes

Taco Casserole Recipe

By: Lil’ Luna

This taco casserole recipe is like a taco salad in casserole form! This taco bake is perfect for dinner or your next potluck.

Servings: 8

Prep: 5 minutes mins

Cook: 35 minutes mins

Total: 40 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • 2 (1-ounce) packets taco seasoning
  • 4 large eggs
  • ¾ cups milk
  • 1 ¼ cups biscuit / baking mix
  • dash black pepper
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 2 cups chopped lettuce
  • ¾ – 1 cup chopped tomato
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • olives

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F.

  • Cook beef over medium heat in a large skillet until no longer pink. Drain meat, add taco seasoning, and prepare according to package directions.

  • Add meat to a greased 9×13 baking dish and set aside.

  • Beat eggs and milk in a large bowl. Stir in one and a quarter cup biscuit mix and pepper, and mix until combined well. Pour over meat and bake until golden brown (about 20-25 minutes).

  • Let cool for a few minutes and then spread on sour cream.

  • Top with lettuce, tomato, cheese, and olives. Serve warm and ENJOY!

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 562kcal, Carbohydrates: 14g, Protein: 32g, Fat: 40g, Saturated Fat: 18g, Cholesterol: 213mg, Sodium: 569mg, Potassium: 474mg, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 660IU, Vitamin C: 0.7mg, Calcium: 317mg, Iron: 3.4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American, Mexican

Making this recipe? Tag us!

Share it with us on Instagram using the hashtag #lilluna, so we can see what you’re creating in the kitchen!

Categorized as: Beef, Casserole, Cuisines, Main Dishes, Mexican Recipes, Recipes

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

More About Kristyn

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Taco Casserole Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is John Wayne casserole made of? ›

That's right, the iconic John Wayne Casserole is named after none other than the actor himself. Typically, you'll find that most recipes call for refrigerated biscuits or Bisquick, onions, red bell peppers, jalapeño peppers, sour cream, mayonnaise, ground beef, tomatoes, taco seasoning, and Cheddar cheese.

What can I do with taco shells? ›

7 Ways To Utilize Leftover Taco Shells and Flour Tortillas
  1. Nachos. Break the taco shells and create delicious nachos with cheese, beans, olives, guacamole and other fan-favorite ingredients. ...
  2. Breakfast Tacos. ...
  3. Salad Topping. ...
  4. Chicken Quesadillas. ...
  5. Tortilla Pinwheels. ...
  6. Tortilla Pizza. ...
  7. Cinnamon And Sugar Tortilla Chips.
Aug 13, 2022

What temperature should a casserole be heated to? ›

Safe Minimum Internal Temperature Chart
ProductMinimum Internal Temperature & Rest Time
Eggs160 °F (71.1 °C)
Fish & Shellfish145 °F (62.8 °C)
Leftovers165 °F (73.9 °C)
Casseroles165 °F (73.9 °C)
6 more rows
May 11, 2020

What is in casserole dish? ›

In the United States, a casserole or hot dish is typically a baked food with three main components: pieces of meat (such as chicken or ground meat) or fish (such as tuna) or other protein (such as beans or tofu), various chopped or canned vegetables (such as green beans or peas), and a starchy binder (such as flour, ...

What is Jackie Kennedy casserole? ›

A simple homemade side dish recipe with egg noodles, sauteed onions and a simple sour cream sauce very much like Beef Stroganoff or Noodles Romanoff. Sonya Tesch. Dinners.

What is the oldest known casserole? ›

Macaroni and cheese is the oldest written casserole recipe found in 1250.

Why put taco shells in oven? ›

The best part about these tacos is that they are baked instead of fried, so they are healthier than your typical deep fried taco shell. The process to make these oven baked Crispy Beef and Cheese Tacos may seem complicated at first, but I promise it is really quite simple after you do it once.

What can you use instead of taco shells for tacos? ›

Try one of our 10 creative ideas for tasty alternatives to traditional taco shells.
  • PUT TACOS IN PITA POCKETS. ...
  • GRILL GLUTEN-FREE TACO SHELLS. ...
  • WRAP UP HEALTHY TACOS. ...
  • TRANSFORM CHEDDAR INTO SHELLS. ...
  • PARMESAN IS PERFECT TOO. ...
  • COOK UP SHREDDED CARROT SHELLS. ...
  • ROLL OUT FRESH SPINACH SHELLS. ...
  • CREATE CAULIFLOWER TACO SHELLS.
Jun 7, 2023

What is the key to making a good casserole? ›

  1. Choose the right baking dish. If you're all about the crunchy topping, use a shallow dish. ...
  2. Undercook your pasta. ...
  3. Drain your meat. ...
  4. Beware of mushy vegetables. ...
  5. Know your cheeses. ...
  6. Master the art of casserole assembly. ...
  7. Don't skip the topping. ...
  8. Make it now, but bake it later.
Nov 1, 2021

Can you put raw meat in a casserole? ›

Always Cook Meat Before Adding

Don't add raw meat to a casserole. Cooking the meat before adding it, or using up leftover cooked meat in a casserole, is the way to go. DeLeeuw says this is important for food safety because it makes sure the protein is fully cooked—especially key when making a chicken casserole.

Is it better to cook casserole the day before or? ›

Unless food will be frozen, it's safest and will provide the best quality product to start preparing most perishable foods no more than a day before a meal. For example, assemble a vegetable casserole a day in advance, refrigerate and then bake the day of your dinner.

Why put foil on casserole dish? ›

It protects your food from drying out or burning and helps keep in the heat and moisture, ensuring a perfectly cooked meal. Loosely covering your dish with foil can prevent uneven browning while baking. However, tightly sealing your bakeware with foil is the way to go for more steam.

Should you cover casserole when baking? ›

The primary reason for covering a casserole as it bakes is to trap moisture inside the dish. This will not only keep the casserole itself moist, but it will also help get the casserole up to cooking temperature.

What is the most popular casserole dish size? ›

"The standard size of a casserole dish is 9 by 13 inches. However, due to varying shapes, they are often measured by volume, with three quarts being average,” says Contrino. “It is important to note that if a recipe calls only for a casserole dish, it is most likely asking for a 9- by 13-inch rectangular size.

Why do they call it a John Wayne casserole? ›

John Wayne first wrote the casserole recipe, but it looks a little different today. John Wayne Casserole was first popularized by the 1979 cookbook, "Cooking with Love from Cara and Her Friends," a collection of different celebrities' favorite dishes.

What was the original casserole? ›

Casserole history

Apparently, casseroles originated as communal pots that people shared for meals. The oldest recipe for a casserole, around 1250, consisted of pasta sheets cooked in water, layered with grated cheese and spices.

What caused John Wayne's death? ›

Wayne made his last public appearance at the Academy Awards ceremony on April 9, 1979, and died of stomach cancer two months later. In 1980, he was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor of the United States.

Where is Tater Tot casserole from? ›

If you grew up in the Midwest or even if you're new to the area, chances are you've heard about the Minnesota tater tot hotdish. Hotdish is the unofficial state cuisine of Minnesota and a go-to for busy families.

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