This Taco Tortilla Stack is a truly irresistible Tex-Mex dinner, featuring perfectly seasoned ground beef layered between soft tortillas, a creamy sour cream blend, and a generous amount of melted cheese. It’s a fun, flavorful, and family-friendly recipe that promises to become a regular in your rotation.

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If you love layered dishes, be sure to explore our original Chicken Tortilla Stack for a poultry-based delight, or kickstart your day with the hearty Breakfast Tortilla Stack!

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Taco Tortilla Stack: Your New Favorite Tex-Mex Dinner

Are you searching for a vibrant, easy-to-make, and incredibly satisfying dinner that brings joy to the whole family? Look no further than this fantastic Taco Tortilla Stack! This recipe takes all the beloved flavors of your favorite tacos and transforms them into a hearty, layered casserole that’s perfect for any night of the week, especially Taco Tuesday or your next casual gathering.

While often associated with celebrations like Cinco de Mayo, this dish transcends specific dates. It’s a testament to the universal appeal of Tex-Mex cuisine – a delightful fusion of Mexican culinary traditions with American ingredients and tastes. And let’s be honest, any day is a good day for a delicious, cheese-laden, taco-inspired meal!

The Evolution of a Favorite: From Chicken to Classic Taco

This Taco Tortilla Stack isn’t just a standalone recipe; it’s a delicious evolution of a classic from our kitchen. Many of you might be familiar with our highly popular Chicken Tortilla Stack, a recipe that has garnered rave reviews over the years. The idea for a ground beef version simmered for a while, waiting patiently for its moment to shine. And now, it’s here, proving that some ideas are truly worth the wait!

We’re thrilled to say that this beef rendition might just surpass the original in popularity. It’s rich, savory, and incredibly comforting. In fact, it sparked a friendly battle over the leftovers in our household – a sure sign of a winning dish! Its simplicity and the fact that most ingredients are pantry staples make it an instant go-to for busy weeknights.

What Makes This Taco Tortilla Stack So Special?

At its heart, the Taco Tortilla Stack is a casserole that celebrates layers of flavor and texture. Imagine perfectly seasoned ground beef, spread generously between soft yet slightly crispy flour tortillas. Each layer is then slathered with a tangy, spiced sour cream mixture, and finally, blanketed under a mountain of gooey, melted cheese. It’s essentially a Tex-Mex lasagna, but with a taco twist!

Key Features You’ll Adore:

Uncomplicated Preparation: With straightforward steps and readily available ingredients, this recipe is perfect for home cooks of all skill levels.
Explosive Flavor: The combination of savory taco-seasoned beef, creamy sour cream, and a blend of cheeses creates a harmonious symphony of Tex-Mex goodness in every bite.
Customizable to Your Liking: Whether you prefer more spice, different cheeses, or added vegetables, this stack is a versatile canvas for your culinary creativity.
Crowd-Pleasing Potential: This dish is a guaranteed hit with both adults and children, making it ideal for family dinners, potlucks, or casual entertaining.
Wonderful Leftovers: If you’re lucky enough to have any remaining, this stack reheats beautifully, making for a delicious lunch the next day.

Crafting Your Perfect Taco Tortilla Stack: Ingredients Spotlight

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simple yet impactful ingredients. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need to create this Tex-Mex masterpiece:

The Essentials:

Ground Beef: We recommend a lean ground beef (80/20 or 90/10) for the best balance of flavor and less grease. You can also substitute with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
Taco Seasoning: A good quality taco seasoning is crucial. Feel free to use your favorite store-bought brand or make your own homemade blend for control over the spices and sodium.
Water: Used to help the taco seasoning meld with the beef, creating a rich and flavorful base.
Sour Cream: This forms the creamy, tangy layer that binds everything together and adds a delightful contrast to the savory beef. Full-fat sour cream offers the richest texture, but light sour cream can also work.
Taco Sauce: A touch of taco sauce mixed into the sour cream enhances the overall taco flavor and adds a subtle kick. Choose mild, medium, or hot based on your preference.
Cheese Blend: Our recipe calls for Cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Mozzarella. This trio provides a fantastic melty texture and a complex cheesy flavor. Feel free to experiment with other good melting cheeses like Colby, pepper jack, or a Mexican blend.
Vegetable Oil: Essential for lightly crisping the tortillas, which prevents them from becoming soggy and adds a delightful textural element to the stack.
Flour Tortillas: 9-inch flour tortillas are ideal for fitting into a standard springform pan, creating nice, even layers.

Optional Toppings for the Ultimate Experience:

While the stack is delicious on its own, adding fresh toppings elevates the experience. Consider:

Shredded lettuce
Diced tomatoes
Diced avocado or a dollop of guacamole
Extra sour cream or Greek yogurt
Salsa or pico de gallo
Sliced jalapeños (fresh or pickled)
Black olives
Fresh cilantro

The Heart of the Dish: The Recipe Card

Taco Tortilla Stack

This Taco Tortilla Stack consists of taco seasoned ground beef that is layered with tortillas, a sour cream mixture, and lots of cheese for a fun Tex-Mex dinner recipe.

Author: Deborah Harroun

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Servings: 4-6 servings

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: Mexican

Rating: 5 from 1 vote

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Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
1 tablespoon taco seasoning
1/4 cup water
8 oz sour cream
1 tablespoon taco sauce
1 teaspoon taco seasoning
1 cup grated Cheddar cheese
1 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup grated Mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
5 9-inch flour tortillas
shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, diced avocado and sour cream for serving (optional)

Instructions

Heat a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until no longer pink, breaking it up as it cooks. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of taco seasoning over the meat and stir to combine. Add the water and cook until thickened, about 3-5 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly spray a 9-inch springform pan with nonstick cooking spray.
In a small bowl, combine the sour cream, taco sauce, and 1 teaspoon of taco seasoning. Mix well until smooth.
In another bowl, combine the grated Cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Mozzarella cheeses.
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat 1 tablespoon of the vegetable oil. Working with one tortilla at a time, add to the hot oil to lightly crisp up, flipping over when the first side gets lightly brown. Continue with the remaining tortillas, adding more oil when needed. This step is crucial for texture and preventing sogginess.
To assemble the stack: Place one lightly crisped tortilla on the bottom of the prepared springform pan. Spread 1/5 of the sour cream mixture evenly over the tortilla. Follow with 1/4 of the seasoned beef mixture and 1/5 of the combined cheese mixture.
Add another tortilla on top and repeat the layering process (sour cream, beef, cheese). Repeat this sequence two more times, using four tortillas total for the internal layers.
Finally, lay the remaining (fifth) tortilla on top. Spread with the last portion of the sour cream mixture and top generously with the remaining cheese. Cover the springform pan loosely with aluminum foil.
Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is beautifully melted and bubbly, and the stack is heated through.
Remove from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before attempting to slice. This allows the layers to set, making for cleaner portions.
Serve hot, topped with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, diced avocados, and extra sour cream, if desired, for a truly satisfying Tex-Mex feast.

Keywords: taco tortilla stack, ground beef, Tex-Mex, layered dinner, easy recipe, casserole

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Tips for Success and Variation Ideas

Achieving the perfect Taco Tortilla Stack is easy with a few simple tips:

Don’t Skip the Tortilla Fry: Lightly crisping the tortillas in oil makes a huge difference. It adds a crucial textural element and prevents them from getting mushy in the oven. It only takes a minute per tortilla and is well worth the effort.
Season to Taste: Feel free to adjust the amount of taco seasoning in both the beef and the sour cream mixture to match your preferred spice level. A pinch of cayenne pepper can add extra heat.
Cheese Choices: While our blend is fantastic, you can customize your cheese. Pepper jack will add more spice, while a sharp cheddar will offer a bolder flavor.
Add Veggies: Sautéed onions, bell peppers, or even corn can be mixed into the ground beef layer for added nutrition and flavor.
Different Meats: As mentioned, ground turkey or chicken can be used. For an even more unique twist, try shredded chicken or pork!
Smaller Portions: If you don’t have a 9-inch springform pan, you can use a round oven-safe dish of similar size, or even individual ramekins for personal stacks (adjust baking time accordingly).

Serving Suggestions and What to Pair With It

This Taco Tortilla Stack is a meal in itself, but it truly shines when served with a variety of fresh toppings and complementary side dishes.

Recommended Toppings:

The array of fresh, vibrant toppings not only adds flavor and texture but also a burst of color to your plate. Don’t hold back!

Crisp Lettuce: Shredded iceberg or romaine adds a refreshing crunch.
Juicy Tomatoes: Diced Roma or cherry tomatoes provide a sweet, acidic counterpoint.
Creamy Avocado: Freshly diced avocado or a dollop of guacamole adds a rich, smooth texture.
Cool Sour Cream: A generous spoon of sour cream balances the spices and cheese.
Zesty Salsa: Your favorite red or green salsa or a homemade pico de gallo brings extra freshness.
Spicy Kick: Sliced fresh or pickled jalapeños if you like extra heat.
Fresh Herbs: A sprinkle of fresh cilantro for an authentic touch.

Perfect Side Dishes:

To round out your Tex-Mex feast, consider serving this stack alongside:

Mexican rice or cilantro lime rice
Black beans or refried beans
Crispy tortilla chips with queso dip
A simple green salad with a lime vinaigrette
Grilled corn on the cob

Storage and Reheating

This Taco Tortilla Stack is excellent for meal prep or enjoying as leftovers.

Storage: Once cooled, cover any remaining stack tightly with plastic wrap or transfer individual slices to an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Reheating: For best results, reheat individual slices in the microwave until warmed through, or place larger portions in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) until hot and bubbly, about 15-20 minutes. If reheating in the oven, you might want to cover it with foil initially to prevent drying out, then uncover for the last few minutes to re-crisp the cheese.

Conclusion: A Tex-Mex Triumph for Your Dinner Table

This Taco Tortilla Stack is more than just a meal; it’s an experience. It brings together the comfort of a classic casserole with the exciting flavors of Tex-Mex cuisine in an easy-to-follow format. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply looking for an outstanding weeknight dinner, this recipe delivers on all fronts: flavor, fun, and satisfaction. It’s truly become a household favorite, and we’re confident it will quickly earn a spot in your recipe collection too.

So, gather your ingredients, follow these simple steps, and prepare to delight your taste buds with this incredible Taco Tortilla Stack. Get ready for rave reviews and requests for seconds!

Explore More Tex-Mex Twists:

If you’re as enamored with Tex-Mex flavors as we are, you’ll love these other creative recipes:

Taco Burgers: A flavorful twist on a classic burger!
Taco Dogs: A fun, kid-friendly fusion.
22 Taco Recipes to Change up Taco Night: Endless inspiration for your taco cravings.
Taco Pie: Another delicious, easy-to-slice taco casserole.
Taco Skillet: A one-pan wonder for a quick meal.