Taco Casserole

Submitted by Little Bee

"I got this recipe off of Meals.com and we really liked it! Its very easy to make. It calls for Ortega brand ingredients but you can substitute whatever brand name you prefer. Some of the ingredients say optional but I wouldn't leave them out if it can be helped since I think they make the dish tastier!"

 

• Ready In: 35mins
• Ingredients: 13
• Serves: 4

ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 cup water
• 1⁄2 cup ortega thick & smooth medium taco sauce
• 4 ounces ortega diced green chilies
• 1 (2 1/4 ounce) can sliced ripe olives, drained,divided
• 1 package ortega taco seasoning mix
• 1 (4 1/2 ounce) package ortega taco shells, broken
• 2 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese, divided
• 1⁄4 cup chopped tomato (optional)
• 1⁄8 cup sliced green onion (optional)
• sour cream (optional)

directions

1. PREHEAT oven to 375° F.
2. COOK beef, onion and garlic until beef is browned; drain.
3. Stir in water, taco sauce, chiles, 1/4 cup olives and seasoning mix.
4. Cook over low heat for 3 to 4 minutes.
5. LAYER half of broken taco shells on bottom of greased 12 x 8-inch baking dish.
6. Cover with half of meat sauce; sprinkle with 1 cup cheese.
7. Repeat with remaining shells, meat sauce and cheese.
8. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until bubbly and cheese is melted.
9. Top with remaining olives, tomatoes and green onions.
10. Garnish with sour cream.

Reviews

[Leslie]

This was terrific!! I left out the olives but did use the other suggested toppings. It is really hot here today and I didn't want to heat up my house with the oven, so I baked them in the BBQ and MAN....what a terrific flavour! Thanks for posting! Made for ZWT 3:)

 

[ksduffster]

Awesome dish! I left out the olives, but otherwise made it exactly as directed. We also used the leftover taco sauce to top the casserole, along with the onions, tomatoes, and sour cream. I think it would be good also with lettuce on top. DBF thought it would be good with red beans and/or corn mixed in with the meat. I didn't try it this way because I didn't have either of those ingredients, but I agree that sounds good. I will definitely be making this again. It is so easy and DBF ate 2/3 of the pan! Thanks so much Little Bee for finding this one!

 

[Auvan]

We usually have this for dinner about once a week in the winter. We all love it. I use 1.5 lbs of ground beef, 18 taco shells, and I don't add the green chiles. It makes for a nice, fast meal on a weeknight. It is also very versatile, you can really add or delete to your tastes.

 

[Laudee]

This is a very tasty casserole! Followed your easy directions, but, did top the servings with homemade green chili and grated cheddar. Made a delicious dinner! This is well worth repeating! Thanks so much for sharing, LB!

 

[SolightlyUK]

This is absolutely delicious! I live in the UK so had to make a few substitutions. I couldn't find canned chilies so I used fresh red birds-eye chilies (about 4) and regular large green spicy chilies (about 2). Instead of taco sauce I used "Discovery" brand Mexican sauce. I do think that next time I may make it without the taco shells and serve it with tortilla chips or warmed tortillas instead. A very spicy and tasty treat!