Taco Bake Casserole

Tired of the same old recipes on Taco Tuesday? Then mix it up with this irresistible (and incredibly easy) taco bake. This taco bake casserole is ready in less than an hour and it's packed with all your favorite taco flavors that everyone at the table will gobble up.

Pour yourself a refreshing margarita and enjoy this top-rated recipe.

How to Make Taco Bake

You'll be shocked at how easy it is to make this taco bake. The full, step-by-step recipe is below — but here's a brief description of how to make this casserole:

Brown the Beef

Cook the ground beef and onions until beef is browned. Drain the grease and add water and taco seasoning. Cook until the water and seasoning mixture has thickened.

Cook the Taco Mixture

Add refried beans, olives, green chiles, and salsa to the ground beef mixture. Cook until all the ingredients are warmed through.

Assemble the Casserole

Sprinkle broken taco shells over the bottom of a casserole dish. Top with a layer of ground beef mixture, then a layer of cheese. Repeat all three layers.

Bake

Bake the casserole until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

How Long to Cook Taco Bake?

We like to follow this recipe, which calls for a 20 to 25 minute bake time. You'll know the taco bake is done when the casserole is warmed through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

What to Serve With Taco Bake

You can top this taco bake just like you would top traditional tacos. Try adding shredded lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, salsa, guacamole, or taco sauce.

How to Store Taco Bake

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. Reheat in the microwave or in the oven until warmed through.

How to Freeze Taco Bake

Assemble the casserole in a baking dish (use a disposable baking dish for easy freezing). Wrap the entire thing (pan and all) in a layer of storage wrap then a layer of aluminum foil. Freeze the casserole for up to three months.

Thaw in the fridge overnight, then bake as directed. You may need to add a few minutes to the bake time to account for the cold temperature.

Cookdap Community Tips and Praise

“The kids loved it. I love the versatility of the recipe. This time I used Doritos instead of taco shells and fire roasted tomatoes. Next time, I think I’ll try lime tortilla chips and add guacamole, shredded lettuces, and sour cream to really dress it up,” says FlyingTony.

“This is my kind of recipe….easy and tasty!! Also quick to throw together. It was a big hit with our guests,” according to Gotrecipe.