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Taco Bake Casserole - A Cozy, Crowd-Pleasing Weeknight Favorite

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, if meat is very lean)
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 packet taco seasoning (or 2–3 tablespoons homemade)
  • 1/2 cup water or low-sodium broth
  • 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup corn kernels (frozen, canned, or fresh)
  • 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chiles (like Rotel), drained
  • 1 cup salsa (mild, medium, or hot)
  • 8–10 small flour or corn tortillas, cut into halves or quarters
  • 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend)
  • 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt (optional, for layering)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • For topping: chopped cilantro, sliced green onions, diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, jalapeño slices, avocado, or a squeeze of lime

Instructions
 

  • Preheat and prep: Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  • Cook the meat: Warm a large skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil if using, then the ground beef or turkey. Break it up and cook until browned, about 5–7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  • Add aromatics: Stir in onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
  • Season and simmer: Sprinkle in taco seasoning. Add water or broth and stir. Simmer 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.
  • Fold in mix-ins: Stir in black beans, corn, and diced tomatoes with green chiles. Taste and adjust salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
  • Layer the casserole: Spread a thin layer of salsa in the baking dish. Add a layer of tortillas to cover the bottom. Spoon on half the meat mixture. Dot with sour cream or Greek yogurt if using. Sprinkle with 1 cup cheese.
  • Repeat: Add another layer of tortillas, then the remaining meat mixture, a few spoonfuls of salsa, and the remaining cheese. Finish with a light tortilla layer on top if you like extra structure, or go straight to cheese for more melt.
  • Bake: Cover loosely with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10–12 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges are golden.
  • Rest and top: Let the casserole rest 10 minutes to set. Top with cilantro, green onions, fresh tomatoes, lettuce, jalapeños, avocado, and a squeeze of lime.
  • Serve: Slice into squares and serve warm. Add extra salsa or hot sauce on the side.