top of page

Get New Recipes Weekly

Quick weeknight dinners, tested and ready.

No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Taco Bake

15
min active
  ·
6
servings  
  ·
35
min total 

Layers of beef, cheese, and crushed chips baked into a crowd-pleasing casserole.

Avo's Tip

  • Lightly crush the chips—too fine and they disappear, too whole and they won’t scoop well. 

  • Let the bake rest 5 minutes so it sets and serves cleanly. For extra color contrast, add toppings after baking, not before.

  • No ground beef? Ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles all work.

  • Different beans? Black beans, pinto beans, or kidney beans all work here — use what you have.

  • Different cheese? Pepper jack adds heat; any good melting cheese works.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know before you start cooking.

Can I make this ahead?

Yes, you can make ahead, store items in separate containers.

Can I swap protein?

Yes, swapping chicken or steak is great option.

Can I make it spicier / milder?

Yes, throw some sliced peppers or jalapeños on top for some kick.

Storage & Reheating

Fridge: Store covered up to 3 days. 

Reheat: Oven at 325°F until warmed through for best texture. 

Freezer: No — chips lose structure once thawed.

Why It Works

  • One-pan dinner: The beef mixture, chips, and cheese bake together in a single dish for easy cleanup.

  • Family-friendly: Familiar taco flavors and scoopable portions make it great for weeknights.

  • Flexible toppings: Add fresh toppings at the end so everyone can customize their serving quickly.

Popular This Week

Gochujang Honey Chicken Bowl.jpg
15
min active 
 ·
45
min total 
Gochujang Honey Chicken Bowl.jpg
10
min active 
 ·
30
min total 
Gochujang Honey Chicken Bowl.jpg
15
min active 
 ·
30
min total 
Gochujang Honey Chicken Bowl.jpg
20
min active 
 ·
30
min total 
Gochujang Honey Chicken Bowl.jpg
10
min active 
 ·
25
min total 

Ingredients

1

1 lb ground beef

2

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

3

1 cup corn kernels

4

1 oz. packet taco seasoning

5

2 cups shredded Mexican-blend cheese

6

2 cups crushed tortilla chips

7

½ cup water

8

1 can (15 oz.) diced tomatoes

9

1 small can of black olives, diced

10

3 sliced green onions

11

1 ½ cup sour cream

12

1 cup guacamole (optional)

13

1 16oz jar salsa (optional)

 Instructions

1

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) . Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.

2

Cook the beef: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess grease if needed.

3

Season and simmer: Stir in the taco seasoning and ½ cup water. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened. Add the black beans and corn, stirring to combine. Remove from heat.

4

Assemble the bake: Transfer the beef mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread evenly. Sprinkle the crushed tortilla chips over the top, then finish with an even layer of shredded cheese.

5

Bake: Bake uncovered for 20 minutes , or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly around the edges.

6

Rest and finish: Remove from the oven and let the bake rest for 5 minutes so it sets. Top with tomatoes, olives, green onions, sour cream, guacamole, or salsa as desired.

7

Serve: Scoop and serve warm, straight from the dish.

Quick Fixes

  • Too greasy: Drain excess fat after browning the beef before assembling the bake.

  • Messy scoops: Let it rest 5–10 minutes after baking so the layers set before serving.

  • Chips getting soggy: Add a fresh crunchy topping at serving time if making it ahead.

ingrediENTS

1

1 lb ground beef

2

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

3

1 cup corn kernels

4

1 oz. packet taco seasoning

5

2 cups shredded Mexican-blend cheese

6

2 cups crushed tortilla chips

7

½ cup water

8

1 can (15 oz.) diced tomatoes

9

1 small can of black olives, diced

10

3 sliced green onions

11

1 ½ cup sour cream

12

1 cup guacamole (optional)

13

1 16oz jar salsa (optional)

instructions

1

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) . Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.

2

Cook the beef: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess grease if needed.

3

Season and simmer: Stir in the taco seasoning and ½ cup water. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened. Add the black beans and corn, stirring to combine. Remove from heat.

4

Assemble the bake: Transfer the beef mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread evenly. Sprinkle the crushed tortilla chips over the top, then finish with an even layer of shredded cheese.

5

Bake: Bake uncovered for 20 minutes , or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly around the edges.

6

Rest and finish: Remove from the oven and let the bake rest for 5 minutes so it sets. Top with tomatoes, olives, green onions, sour cream, guacamole, or salsa as desired.

7

Serve: Scoop and serve warm, straight from the dish.

High comfort. Low effort. Designed for real weeknights.

Print Recipe
RECIPE

Taco Bake

15
min active 
 ·
35
min total 
 ·
6
servings
Print Recipe

You Might Also Like

Easy Lasagna Soup

One-pot lasagna soup with tender pasta, rich tomato broth, and a creamy cheese topping.

15
min active 
 ·
35
min total 
DINNER

Taco Bake

Layers of beef, cheese, and crushed chips baked into a crowd-pleasing casserole.

15
min active 
 ·
35
min total 
DINNER

Authentic Mexican Street Corn (Elote)

Grilled corn with creamy sauce, cotija cheese, and chili — bold street flavor at home.

15
min active 
 ·
25
min total 
SIDE

Recipe Card

Your first week of dinners, free.

5 recipes, one shopping list, Sunday prep plan — instant download.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
bottom of page