Fantastic Taco Casserole

Leilani's Note:

I originally found this taco casserole recipe in a Taste of Home magazine. Since then, I have made this recipe at least 50 times. I love it because the ingredients list isn't complicated and, based on the layers, I can readily remember all ingredients when I am at the store without my recipe card. I have served this for myself and had wonderful leftovers or many times I have made it for company with a nice green salad to accompany it. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

• Total Time: 30 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 7

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 (1 ¼ ounce) package taco seasoning
• 1 (15 ounce) can refried beans
• 2 cups monterey jack cheese , divided (or mixed cheddar, jack etc.)
• 1 cup salsa (I prefer mild, but if you would like to kick it up a notch, go for it)
• 2 green onions , chopped
• 1 (2 1⁄3; ounce) can sliced black olives
• 1 tomato , chopped
• 2 cups corn chips (coarsely crushed or chopped)

Directions:

1. Brown ground beef and drain.
2. Add taco seasoning and cook according to package directions, adding proper amount of water.
3. Put corn chips on bottom of 8x8" dish.
4. Cook refried beans on stove until hot.
5. Add 1 cup cheese and 1 cup salsa. Stir until combined.
6. Pour beans over corn chips in dish.
7. Add beef to top of beans.
8. Sprinkle remaining cheese over top.
9. Sprinkle green onions and black olives over cheese.
10. Bake in a 375 degree oven until the cheese is sufficiently melted.
11. Take out of oven and sprinkle chopped tomatoes on top. Wait 1-2 minutes and then serve.

Reviews

[lolablitz]

This was great, but a little salty. That may have been my fault though because I made homemade refried beans. Next time I'll omit the salt and might try making my own taco seasoning w/o it. I added a whole chopped green pepper to the hamburger (awesome!) and a layer of frozen very sweet corn between the meat and bean layers to balance the saltiness. I would definitely do that again, and possible add more. I am not a huge fan of chips, so the chip layer was so-so for me, but DH liked it. I think next time I might try noodles instead and maybe double the beans and 1/2 the meat. Thanks for the keeper, Leilani!

[Mandy ny]

Very Good! instead of putting chips in bottom of dish I just put them on plates and spooned the mixture over top! Saved chips from getting soggy. Will make often. kids age 2 and 6 loved it! thanks for sharing

[sweetmelissa2310]

This recipe was delicious and even my kids ate it. We left out the olives because Chris does not like them. We had plenty of leftovers.