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family friendly taco casserole

Hearty Taco Casserole

This satisfying taco casserole combines seasoned ground beef, beans, and crunchy corn chips into a comforting family meal. Topped with fresh vegetables for contrast, it delivers classic Mexican flavors in an easy-to-prepare dish perfect for busy weeknights.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 385
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound lean ground beef ground round
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 1/2 cup onion chopped, for topping
  • 1 (8 ounce) bag corn chips
  • 1 (15 1/2 ounce) can kidney beans drained
  • 1 large tomato chopped
  • 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1/2 cup tomato juice
  • 1-2 tablespoons chili powder adjust to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano crushed
  • 2 cups lettuce shredded

Equipment

  • 2-quart baking dish
  • Large skillet
  • Aluminum foil

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 2-quart square baking dish.
  2. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef with chopped onion and minced garlic until meat is no longer pink. Drain excess fat.
  3. Stir in tomato sauce, tomato juice, chili powder, and dried oregano.
  4. Transfer the seasoned meat mixture to the prepared baking dish.
  5. Spread kidney beans evenly over the meat mixture.
  6. Cover everything with corn chips, distributing them in an even layer.
  7. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 40 minutes.
  8. Before serving, top with shredded lettuce, chopped tomato, and chopped onion.

Notes

For a cheesier version, sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar over the beans before adding the corn chips. This casserole is very adaptable - try using black beans or pinto beans instead of kidney beans, or ground turkey instead of beef for a lighter option. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat well in the microwave.
For a complete meal, serve with lime-cilantro rice or a simple side salad. Additional toppings like sour cream, guacamole, or hot sauce allow everyone to customize their portion.