Pioneer Woman Taco Casserole Recipe

This Pioneer Woman Taco Casserole is a cheesy and hearty recipe, which is made with seasoned ground beef, beans, and layers of crunchy tortilla chips. It’s the ultimate comfort food, a crowd-pleasing one-dish meal perfect for a family taco night.

Pioneer Woman Taco Casserole Ingredients

All your favorite taco flavors in one easy, crowd-pleasing bake.

For the Casserole:

• 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
• 2 red and/or yellow bell peppers, thinly sliced
• 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 1 poblano pepper, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 1/2 lb. lean ground beef
• 1 (1-oz.) packet taco seasoning
• 1 (10-oz.) can mild diced tomatoes and green chiles (like Rotel), drained
• 1 (15-oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup corn kernels, fresh or frozen
• 1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• 1 (13-oz.) bag round tortilla chips
• 1 (8-oz.) bag shredded Mexican-style cheese blend

For Serving:

• Shredded lettuce, Pico de gallo, Avocado, Chopped cilantro, Sour cream, Sliced black olives, Hot sauce

How To Make Pioneer Woman Taco Casserole

A step-by-step guide to this incredibly easy and flavorful one-dish meal.

1. Prep Oven and Sauté Vegetables: Preheat the oven to 375°F. In a large Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the bell peppers, onion, poblano, and garlic. Cook, stirring, for 10 to 12 minutes, until the vegetables are softened.
2. Make the Beef Filling: Add the ground beef and the taco seasoning packet to the pot. Cook, breaking the meat into small crumbles, until it’s browned, about 6 to 8 minutes.
3. Combine the Filling: Stir in the drained diced tomatoes and green chiles, the black beans, corn, and salt. Cook for about 2 minutes until everything is well combined and heated through. Remove from the heat.
4. Layer the Casserole: Lightly grease a 13×9-inch baking dish. Arrange a slightly overlapping single layer of tortilla chips in the bottom. Top with about half of the ground beef mixture, then sprinkle with half of the shredded cheese.
5. Finish Layering and Bake: Repeat the layers once more: tortilla chips, the remaining beef mixture, and the final layer of cheese on top.
6. Bake and Serve: Bake for 16 to 20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and beginning to brown. Let the casserole cool for 10 minutes before topping with your favorite taco garnishes like shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, avocado, and sour cream. Serve with extra tortilla chips on the side.

Recipe Tips

For the most delicious and perfectly baked taco casserole.

• How to keep the tortilla chips from getting soggy? Layering is key. The layer of chips in the middle will soften and become almost like a tamale, while the layer on the very bottom stays a bit firmer. Using thick, sturdy, round tortilla chips also helps them hold their texture better than thin chips.
• Can I make this ahead of time? This casserole is best when baked and served fresh to enjoy the texture of the chips. However, for a huge time-saver, you can prepare the entire beef and vegetable filling up to 2 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to eat, simply assemble the layers and bake.
• Can I use a different kind of meat? Absolutely. Lean ground turkey or ground chicken would be a great, lighter substitute for the ground beef. You could also use shredded rotisserie chicken.
• How spicy is this casserole? As written with a mild taco seasoning and drained mild Rotel, this casserole is very family-friendly and not very spicy. The poblano pepper adds more flavor than heat. You can easily increase the spice by using a hot taco seasoning or adding some chopped jalapeños with the other vegetables.

What To Serve With Taco Casserole

This all-in-one dish is a complete meal, but toppings are a must!

This hearty casserole has all the food groups covered. It’s fantastic served with all your favorite taco fixings:

• A big dollop of sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
• A scoop of fresh guacamole or sliced avocado
• Your favorite salsa or pico de gallo
• A simple side of Mexican rice

How To Store Taco Casserole

This casserole makes for fantastic leftovers.

• Refrigerate: Store any leftovers, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Reheat: For the best results, reheat individual portions in the microwave. The tortilla chips inside will be soft, but the flavor will still be delicious.

Pioneer Woman Taco Casserole Nutrition Facts

An estimated guide per serving.

• Calories: 650 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Fat: 35 g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:

• Pioneer Woman Overnight Breakfast Casserole Recipe
• Pioneer Woman Reuben Casserole Recipe
• Pioneer Woman Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe