A hearty, cheesy taco-style casserole made with seasoned ground beef, creamy cheese, tomatoes, jalapeños, black olives, and fresh cilantro. The ingredients and layering are based on the dish shown in your photo; exact quantities cannot be determined from the image alone. Similar taco casseroles commonly use seasoned ground beef, beans/tomatoes, cheese, and taco toppings. Ingredients
For the beef layer:
- 1 lb (450 g) lean ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small jalapeño, diced
- 1 cup salsa or diced tomatoes
- 1 tbsp taco seasoning
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp paprika
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
For the creamy layer:
- 1 cup sour cream
- 4 oz (115 g) cream cheese, softened
For the cheese layer:
- 1½–2 cups shredded cheddar or Mexican-blend cheese
Toppings:
- 1 medium tomato, diced
- ¼ cup sliced black olives
- 1 jalapeño, sliced
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- ½ avocado, diced, optional
- Green onions, optional
Optional base:
- 2 cups crushed tortilla chips
or use cooked rice/beans for a more filling casserole.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease an 8×8 or similar baking dish.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add ground beef and cook for 7–10 minutes, breaking it apart until browned. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Add onion, garlic and diced jalapeño. Cook for another 2–3 minutes.
- Stir in taco seasoning, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt and pepper.
- Add salsa or diced tomatoes and simmer for 3–5 minutes, until the mixture thickens.
- Mix sour cream and softened cream cheese in a bowl until smooth.
- Layer the casserole: add tortilla chips/rice if using, followed by the seasoned beef.
- Spread the creamy mixture over the beef.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese generously over the top.
- Bake for 18–25 minutes, until hot and the cheese is completely melted and bubbling.
- Remove from the oven and rest for 5–10 minutes.
- Add diced tomatoes, black olives, jalapeños and fresh cilantro on top.
- Serve warm with salsa, avocado or lime if desired.
This layering/baking approach is consistent with common taco-casserole preparations, where seasoned beef is layered with a base and cheese and baked until hot and bubbly.
Recipe Information
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Cuisine: Mexican-inspired / Tex-Mex
- Course: Dinner
- Difficulty: Easy
Estimated Nutrition Per Serving
Approximate values for 1 of 6 servings, using lean beef, cheddar cheese, sour cream, cream cheese and toppings. Actual nutrition varies by brands and quantities.
- Calories: ~520 kcal
- Protein: ~30 g
- Carbohydrates: ~15 g
- Fat: ~38 g
- Saturated Fat: ~17 g
- Fiber: ~2–3 g
- Sugar: ~5 g
- Sodium: ~850–1,000 mg
- Calcium: ~300 mg
- Iron: ~3 mg
For comparison, published taco-casserole recipes range considerably in nutrition depending on whether they include chips, beans, cheese and sour cream.
Q&A
Q: Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
A: Yes. Ground turkey works very well and can make the casserole leaner.
Q: Can I make it without jalapeños?
A: Absolutely. Leave them out for a mild version.
Q: Can I add beans?
A: Yes. Add 1 cup of drained black or pinto beans to the beef mixture.
Q: Can I prepare it ahead of time?
A: Yes. Assemble it, cover and refrigerate, then bake when ready. Taco casseroles are commonly suitable for make-ahead preparation.
Q: Can I freeze it?
A: Yes, preferably before adding the fresh toppings. Thaw in the refrigerator and reheat until hot.
Q: What cheese is best?
A: Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or a Mexican cheese blend all work well.
Q: Is it spicy?
A: Mild to medium. Reduce the jalapeño and chili powder for a milder casserole.
Q: What should I serve with it?
A: Serve with a green salad, avocado, salsa, lime wedges, or extra cilantro.
Q: Can I make it lower-carb?
A: Yes. Skip tortilla chips/rice and use extra beef, vegetables, and cheese. Similar low-carb taco casseroles use beef, cheese, tomatoes, jalapeños and olives without a traditional tortilla base.