Fiesta Bake Tortilla Chip Taco Casserole

Recipe Introduction

Quick Hook: Fancy a Fiesta?

Ever get that craving for proper Tex-Mex but can't be bothered with all the fuss? Honestly, that's where this taco casserole with tortilla chips comes in.

Think mega comfort food with a satisfying crunch. It's got that killer flavor that will make you say, "Oh my gosh!", but without the hassle.

Brief Overview: Your "Mexican Casserole" Hero

This Fiesta Bake ( taco bake , if you fancy) is a riff on classic comfort food. It's easy peasy, ready in under an hour, and serves 6-8 hungry people.

Perfect for a family dinner or when mates are round.

Main Benefits: Family Friendly Casserole

This taco casserole with tortilla chips is great comfort food. It's loaded with protein and can be a vehicle for getting some extra veggies down the hatch.

Plus, it’s fantastic for using up leftover ingredients. Honestly, it is a quick dinner ideas recipe.

Time To Cook It: Ingredients List

Right then, let's get our ingredients sorted! For this easy bake, you will need:

Ground Beef Mixture

• 1 tbsp Olive Oil
• 1 lb Ground Beef
• 1 packet Taco Seasoning
• 1/2 cup Water
• 1 (15 oz) can Black Beans
• 1 (15 oz) can Corn
• 1 (10 oz) can Diced Tomatoes and Green Chilies

Layered Taco Casserole

• 8 oz Tortilla Chips
• 2 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese
• 1 cup Sour Cream
• 1/2 cup Salsa
• Optional: green onions, diced tomatoes, avocado, cilantro

Equipment check for the Tortilla Chip Casserole

Before we get going, make sure you have all the right tools. You'll need a large skillet, a 9x13 inch baking dish, measuring cups and spoons, and a colander.

Now, let's start this easy casserole recipe .

Ingredients & Equipment for the Best Fiesta Bake

Right, let's get down to brass tacks. To nail this Fiesta Bake: Tortilla Chip Taco Casserole , you'll need a few bits and bobs.

Don’t worry, nothing too fancy! I'm all about easy, you know? Let's talk ingredients for the best layered taco casserole , plus a few sneaky swaps if you're in a pinch.

Main Ingredients

Here's what you'll need. Remember, precise is good, but don't sweat it too much. It's a taco bake ; we're not building a rocket!

• Olive Oil: 1 tbsp (15 ml). Just your regular stuff, nothing posh.
• Ground Beef: 1 lb (450g). Lean is better to avoid extra grease.
• Taco Seasoning: 1 packet (around 1 oz/28g ). Use your fave brand, or even better, make your own!
• Water: 1/2 cup (120 ml).
• Black Beans: 1 (15 oz/425g) can, rinsed. Rinsing is key, trust me.
• Corn: 1 (15 oz/425g) can, drained. Frozen works too.
• Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies: 1 (10 oz/280g) can. Undrained. Rotel is classic.
• Tortilla Chips: 8 oz (225g). Sturdy ones are best. No one likes soggy chips in their tortilla chip casserole !
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese: 2 cups (225g). Or a Mexican blend. Get that cheese it up .
• Sour Cream: 1 cup (240ml). Full fat is more lush, obvs.
• Salsa: 1/2 cup (120 ml). Choose your heat level. I love a bit of a kick!.

Quality Check: For the ground beef, go for a lean mince. You want flavour, not a swimming pool of grease.

For the cheese, buy a block and grate it yourself it melts better.

Seasoning Notes: Flavor Boosters

Okay, this is where you can get creative!. The Taco seasoning mix often gets a bad rap, as its bland or loaded with sugar.

I love to combine Chili powder, paprika and cumin to boost the flavor of the beef. I often add a pinch of cayenne pepper for extra heat.

• Essential Spice Combination : Chili powder, cumin, and paprika the holy trinity of Tex-Mex.
• Flavor Enhancers: A dash of Worcestershire sauce in the beef mix adds depth.
• Aromatics: A finely diced onion and garlic clove browned with the beef add a punch of taste!.
• Substitution: If you're out of taco seasoning, use a mix of the above spices.

Equipment Needed

Nothing too wild here. Most of us have these bits and bobs in the kitchen already.

• Large Skillet: For browning the beef.
• 9x13 inch Baking Dish: The perfect size for this family friendly casserole .
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: For obvious reasons.
• Colander: For rinsing the beans.

Household Alternatives: If you don’t have a 9x13 inch dish, a similar sized oven safe dish will do. A wooden spoon works just as well as a fancy spatula.

This is your chance to "bodge it."

Fiesta Bake: Let's Talk Cooking This Taco Casserole with Tortilla Chips!

Honestly, who doesn't love a good casserole? They're proper easy and proper tasty. This taco casserole with tortilla chips is my go-to when I'm craving some Tex-Mex vibes.

It’s basically a nacho casserole in bake form, and what’s not to love about that? You know? This is perfect for a family gathering or just a night when you need something comforting and filling.

We can also call it a taco bake . Let's get cooking!

Prep Steps: The Key to Casserole Success

Right then, let's get the mise en place sorted! First, get your ingredients out. Chop any garnishes you fancy green onions, tomatoes, avocado, cilantro are all good.

Rinse and drain those beans and corn. Safety wise, just be careful handling knives, yeah? No need for A&E visits over a family friendly casserole .

Remember to preheat your oven to 350° F ( 175° C) . This ensures the casserole cooks evenly.

step-by-step: From Fridge to Fiesta

1. Brown the Beef: Heat your oil in a skillet, then brown 1 lb (450g) of ground beef. Drain off the grease, you don't want a swimming pool in your casserole.
2. Spice it Up: Stir in your taco seasoning and 1/2 cup (120 ml) water. Simmer for 5 minutes .
3. Add the Goodies: Stir in the beans, corn, and diced tomatoes with green chilies. Heat it all through, and your base ground beef casserole is set.
4. Layer it Up: Spread some of the beef mix at the bottom of a 9x13 inch dish. Add the tortilla chips, then some cheese. Repeat.
5. Bake it! Pop it in the oven for 20- 25 minutes , until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Pro Tips: Casserole Champion

Want to up your Tex-Mex casserole game? A sprinkle of cayenne pepper adds a lovely kick. Also, make sure to cool the casserole for 5- 10 minutes after baking.

This will help it set properly. A common mistake is soggy chips! Bake just long enough to melt the cheese.

Looking for quick dinner ideas ? A taco casserole is a quick meal that even the most beginner cooker can achieve.

Honestly, this recipe is adaptable. Fancy chicken instead of beef? Go for it! Want it veggie? Use lentils. Get creative! This layered taco casserole is all about fun and flavour.

So grab your ingredients and get baking!

Recipe Notes

This taco casserole with tortilla chips , or as I like to call it, the Fiesta Bake, is surprisingly versatile.

Honestly, it's so easy it's almost embarrassing to call it a recipe. It is a super easy casserole recipe !

Serving Suggestions

Plating is simple, folks. Just scoop a generous portion onto a plate. Top with a dollop of the sour cream salsa mix.

I reckon a sprinkle of fresh cilantro would be brilliant. Think about presentation.

Why not serve it alongside some chunky guacamole? It's a match made in heaven. A crisp green salad with a lime dressing balances out the richness of the casserole.

And for a right proper Tex-Mex feast, margaritas are a must, aren't they?

Storage Tips

Leftover taco bake ? No problem!

Refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The tortilla chips might lose a bit of their crispness. But it'll still taste cracking.

I wouldn’t recommend freezing it. The texture of the chips goes a bit funny. Reheat in the oven at 350° F ( 175° C) until heated through.

If you are short on time, a microwave is also a good option. Just remember that the microwave can make the chips soggy!

Variations

Fancy a change? Let's have it.

For a vegetarian version , swap out the ground beef with lentils or veggie burgers. Works a treat!

Feeling spicy? Use shredded cooked chicken instead of beef. A tin of chipotle peppers in adobo will give it a great kick.

Remember you can use crushed pork rinds instead of tortilla chips for a low-carb option. It's a tasty Mexican casserole , trust me.

I did it once on a whim!

Nutrition Basics

Okay, let's talk numbers. Each serving is roughly between 450-550 calories . You are looking at around 25-30g of protein . And 25-35g of fat .

Plus 30-40g of carbohydrates . This layered taco casserole can be very fulfilling.

This is a rough estimate, mind. It depends on what you chuck in. The beef gives you protein. The beans bring fibre. And the cheese adds calcium.

This ground beef casserole is a fantastic choice for a family friendly casserole . It's tasty, filling, and you can adapt it to suit everyone's tastes.

So give it a go! You might just have found your new favourite quick dinner idea . You got this!

Frequently Asked Questions

My tortilla chips got soggy! How do I keep my taco casserole with tortilla chips crispy?

Ah, the soggy chip conundrum! The key is to not overbake the casserole. Bake just until the cheese is melted and bubbly, around 20-25 minutes. A nifty trick from Delia Smith's playbook: toss the chips with a little melted butter or olive oil before layering to give them extra staying power.

Don't add the sour cream topping until serving.

Can I make this taco casserole with tortilla chips ahead of time?

You certainly can! Assemble the casserole up to the point of baking, then cover it tightly with cling film and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. When you're ready to bake, pop it straight into the oven, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time to ensure it's heated through.

Just hold off on that sour cream and salsa topping until you're serving.

I'm trying to eat healthier. Are there any ways to lighten up this taco casserole recipe?

Absolutely! Use lean ground beef (or even ground turkey or chicken), reduce the amount of cheese, and opt for light sour cream or Greek yogurt. You can also bulk up the veggie content by adding more corn, beans, or even some chopped bell peppers.

For a low-carb option, you can use crushed pork rinds instead of tortilla chips.

What are some good variations I can try for this taco casserole?

Fancy a twist? Go vegetarian by swapping the ground beef for lentils or crumbled veggie burgers. Or try a spicy chicken version by using shredded cooked chicken and adding a touch of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce for a smoky kick.

Get creative with the cheese a mix of cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Colby is a real crowd pleaser.

How should I store leftover taco casserole with tortilla chips?

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Reheat it in the oven or microwave until heated through. Be aware that the tortilla chips will lose some of their crispness upon reheating, but it will still be delicious!

You can also freeze individual portions for longer storage, although the texture may change slightly.

Can I use different types of chips in the taco casserole with tortilla chips?

Definitely! While sturdy, restaurant style tortilla chips are ideal, you can experiment with different flavors like lime or blue corn chips. Just keep in mind that thinner chips may become soggier more quickly. Some people even use Doritos for an extra cheesy and flavorful twist - it's a bit naughty but rather nice!