Our most saved recipe of 2024 will be a “go-to recipe forever”

We love stews, and it’s easy to see why these loaded dishes are our favorites. They can be made in advance, frozen for future meals, easily feed a crowd, and can be made with just about any ingredient. From sweet breakfast casseroles to simple, budget-friendly options, most casseroles cook in less than an hour for a quick meal without sacrificing flavor.

Last year, our readers loved making Bourbon Chicken so much that it became the most saved recipe of 2023. Today, as we close out 2024, a new recipe has gained popularity among the Allrecipes community more than any other: the best taco casserole.

Its simplicity and versatility have quickly earned it a place in the meal rotation for many. Home cooks love the taco casserole’s ease of customization, simple ingredient list, and the fact that it cooks in just 30 minutes.

What makes our best taco casserole so good?

Lean ground beef and canned beans form the base of this dish, making each serving hearty and flavorful. Jarred salsa and shredded cheese liven everything up, while crispy crumbled tortilla chips add irresistible texture, resulting in a hearty, easy-to-scoop dish. The casserole is topped with a generous layer of cheese accompanied by diced tomatoes, green onions and black olives for a fresh taste in every bite.

What Fans Have to Say About the Best Taco Casserole Recipe

• “It was fantastic. I normally would have used refried beans with a dish like this, but the chili beans were perfect!” says reviewer ladylaughsalot. “They added just the right flavor to it. Our whole family loved this recipe. We will definitely eat this again. »

• “This is a great recipe for a busy weeknight dinner. The taste is great and it satisfies your craving for restaurant-style Mexican food,” says reviewer Donna Corea. “I made it as is and would make it again.”

• “Easy and delicious,” enthuses Netta. “A must-have recipe forever!”

How to prepare this taco casserole recipe

This casserole packs so many delicious flavors and textures into one pan, but the best part is how simple the recipe is.

Cook your ground beef in a large skillet until browned and crumbly. Add the salsa to the pan and simmer until the liquid from the salsa is absorbed. Next, add a can of beans and continue cooking until the beans are completely warmed through.

The next part is to assemble the casserole dish. Spread the tortilla chips in the bottom of the baking dish and top with the beef mixture, then the sour cream. Finally, place the olives, green onion and tomatoes on top of the sour cream and finish with a thick layer of cheese.

Put this casserole dish in the oven for about 30 minutes and let all the best smells of Mexican cuisine invade your kitchen.

Tips to Make the Best Taco Casserole Even More Delicious

As always, we encourage you to customize the recipes to your liking and share your discoveries. Here are some additions our readers love:

• Stir in taco seasoning: Add a packet of store-bought taco seasoning or use your pantry for a homemade version to add extra flavor. Simply stir the seasoning into the meat mixture during step 4 of the casserole instructions until it is well combined with the other ingredients.

• Swap the protein: This recipe calls for ground beef as the base, but you can swap in ground chicken or turkey. To save time, you can also use ground roast chicken.

• Add additional vegetables: Add sautéed onions and peppers, jalapenos, or canned corn (be sure to drain first) to the casserole for added flavor and nutrients. Garnish with additional fresh items such as tomatoes, cubed avocado and chopped cilantro.

• Add the cooked rice: The rice will make this dish more filling and will make the portions longer. Add 1 cup of cooked Mexican rice or pick up a bag of microwaved steamed rice from the grocery store for a quick addition.

• Lighten it: In addition to using leaner meats like turkey or chicken, you can lighten up this meal by changing up the sour cream and cheese. You can use low-fat equivalents, reduce the amount used, or opt for plain Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.

No matter how you prepare it, there’s no doubt that this easy dish will quickly become a favorite and end up on your table again and again.

How to substitute ingredients for this recipe

One of the best things about this casserole dish is that you can use whatever you have on hand if you don’t want to run to the store. Follow the Allrecipes community for tips on how to modify this recipe:

“I replaced the ground beef with chicken. I cooked and shredded (the chicken) and also added a green chile sauce with the salsa to spice it up a bit. We didn’t have tortilla chips, so we used crumbled taco shells. It was great. The great thing about this recipe is that you can modify it however you want and make it work,” said reviewer JoMom.

“It’s so good,” says critic Sherry Higgins. “I added taco seasoning to the salsa and meat and bean mixture, used ground turkey, added a little more cumin (we love cumin!) and doubled the recipe. I also used a regular salsa container and a pico type salsa container. The last variation I made was to add a layer of Mexican rice on top of the meat/beans/salsa layer and before the sour cream. And yes, this dish will be added to the rotation!

Get the recipe

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