Easy Taco Casserole with Doritos

Are you looking for a dish to please the masses, something easy to prepare and crispy with a lot of bold flavours? That is, Taco Casserole with Doritos Recipe!

Combining seasoned ground beef with lively taco flavour, melting cheese, and topped off with the signature crunch of Doritos, this casserole is perfect for weeknight dinners, game days, and potlucks.

Let us travel into why this particular recipe will become a family favourite and how you can make it your own.

Why You’ll Love This Taco Casserole with Doritos

Bold Flavours: It is inspired by traditional taco seasonings with creamy, cheesy goodness blown up in each bite.

Crunchy Texture: Nacho Cheese Doritos add a delightful crunch to elevate this casserole to heights not seen in traditional recipes.

Easy to Make: Very easily made within under 45 minutes; perfect for those busy weeknights and last-minute gatherings.

Customizable: Add toppings of your preference, use your favourite proteins, or choose whatever Doritos flavour suits your fancy.

Perfect for Sharing: Perfect for potlucks, game nights, and family dinners.

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef

1 packet of taco seasoning

1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed

1 can (15 oz) corn, drained

1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chillies

1 cup sour cream

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided

1 bag (9.25 oz) Nacho Cheese Doritos, crushed

1 small onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup salsa

Optional toppings: diced tomatoes, sliced jalapeños, green onions, cilantro, avocado, or sour cream

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Cook ground beef with onion and garlic in a large frying pan over medium heat until brown (about 5-7 minutes), draining excess fat.

Add taco seasoning, black beans, corn, diced tomatoes with green chillies, and salsa. Stir and let simmer for 5 minutes.

Off the heat, stir in sour cream and 1 cup cheese until well blended.

Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and layer half of the crushed Doritos. Pour the beef mixture over the Doritos, then top it with the remaining crushed Doritos and 1 cup cheese.

Bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese melts and is bubbling.

Cool for 5 minutes, and adorn it with any combination of toppings you want: diced tomatoes, jalapeños, or cilantro. Enjoy while hot!

Tips for the Best Taco Casserole

Crush Dorito Pieces Evenly: Either with a rolling pin or by hand, Doritos should be crushed down into bite-sized chunks with a uniform texture so that they all fit together.

Modify Spice Levels: Add more jalapeños or a hit of hot sauce for extra heat, or use mild salsa for a kid-friendly version.

Fresh Cheese: Shred your cheese rather than buying the pre-shredded stuff; it melts and tastes better.

Don’t Overbake: Bake until the cheese melts, and no longer, to keep those crunchy Doritos in the casserole.

Double the Recipe: Increase crowd size by doubling the recipe using a larger baking dish.

Variations and Substitutions

Protein Swap: Replace ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for a strictly vegetarian substitution.

Bean Options: Substitute the black beans for pinto beans or kidney beans.

Doritos Flavors: Try “Cool Ranch”, “Spicy Nacho”, or “Flamin’ Hot” Doritos for something different.

Cheesy Changes: Use a Mexican cheese blend, pepper jack, or Monterey Jack for different flavour profiles.

Low-Carb Version: Substitute the Doritos with either crushed pork rinds or a layer of cauliflower rice.

Gluten-Free: Check that your taco seasoning and Doritos are certified gluten-free.

Serving Suggestions

Side Dishes: Pair with a simple green salad with lime vinaigrette, fresh Mexican street corn salad, and guacamole.

Drinks: Agua fresca or iced tea would be delightful.

Topping Bar: Create a toppings station with sour cream, guacamole, pico de-gallo, and shredded lettuce for your guests to customize their plates.

Appetisers: For appetisers, chips and queso or a seven-layer dip complete a Mexican meal.

Make Ahead, Storing and Freezing Instructions

Make-Ahead

You can assemble the casserole (not including the top layer of Doritos and cheese) up to 24 hours ahead.

Cover and refrigerate. When ready to bake, add the top Doritos and cheese and bake according to directions, adding 5 to 10 minutes more to the baking time.

Storing

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes or in the microwave until warmed throughout.

Freezing

You can freeze the casserole unbaked (sans Doritos topping) in a freezer-safe dish, well wrapped, for up to 3 months.

Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, add fresh Doritos and cheese, and bake as directed.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of Doritos?

Yes, Cool Ranch, Spicy Nacho, or whatever makes sense for you. Go with your taste profile.

Can I make this vegetarian?

Sure! Simply replace the ground beef with plant-based crumbles, lentils, or extra beans.

How do I keep the Doritos from getting soggy?

Add the top layer of Doritos just before baking, and be careful not to mix the bottom with the beef mixture too much.

Can I make this in a slow cooker?

Yes, layer everything into the slow cooker and cook on low for 3-4 hours. In the last 15 minutes, scatter the top Doritos and cheese.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the taco Casserole with Doritos, it is the perfect comfort food which combines the comprehensive flavors of tacos together with that crunchy addictive trait of Doritos.

You can use this for family feeding, a game night event, or a week’s meal prep; this recipe is versatile, easy, and will be sure to impress anyone.

Give it a try and make your casserole fabulous right now!

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