Ultimate Taco Casserole: An Easy Weeknight Meal Your Family Will Rave About

Transform your Taco Tuesday into an effortlessly delicious family dinner with this sensational Taco Casserole. Featuring fluffy biscuits coated in rich taco sauce, layered with perfectly spiced ground beef, and topped with a generous amount of melted cheese, this dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that brings all the vibrant flavors of tacos to your table in a comforting, oven-baked form.

Who can resist the irresistible allure of taco flavors? While classic tacos are a beloved staple, sometimes it’s fun to explore new ways to enjoy that zesty, savory taste. That’s where this incredible Taco Casserole comes in! It offers all the joy of your favorite Mexican-inspired meal, conveniently baked into one satisfying dish. If you’re looking for more delicious variations on taco night, don’t miss our crowd-pleasing Taco Pie or the super speedy Taco Skillet – both are fantastic options for busy weeknights.

As a food blogger, I’ve had the pleasure of sharing countless recipes over the years, but nothing brings me more joy than hearing from readers who have genuinely loved a dish. This Taco Casserole recipe stands out as one that consistently receives glowing feedback. It’s a true miracle worker in my own kitchen, as my entire family devours it – a rare feat for any meal! My husband and I often find ourselves going back for seconds, unable to resist its comforting appeal. While it might not win any awards for its presentation, its flavor and ease make it an undeniable winner in every home it graces.

What makes this casserole so special? It’s the perfect blend of familiar flavors and comforting textures. The tender, flaky biscuits absorb the savory taco sauce, creating a delightful base. The seasoned ground beef filling is robust and satisfying, complemented by the fresh crunch of bell peppers and the earthy notes of mushrooms. And, of course, a generous blanket of melted cheese brings everything together into a gooey, irresistible masterpiece. It’s the kind of hearty, flavorful meal that can quickly become a beloved family tradition, ideal for those evenings when you need something simple yet utterly satisfying.

Key Ingredients for Your Delicious Taco Casserole

Crafting the perfect Taco Casserole starts with a selection of simple, readily available ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in building the layers of flavor and texture that make this dish so enjoyable. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and some tips for choosing the best:

• Taco Sauce: This is the foundation of our casserole’s distinctive flavor. With numerous brands offering a range of spice levels, from mild to fiery hot, you have full control over the heat. I typically opt for a medium-spice taco sauce, which provides a pleasant warmth without overwhelming the palate, making it perfect for most families. The quality of your taco sauce really shines through, so pick one you genuinely enjoy!
• Canned Buttermilk Biscuits: These are the secret to the casserole’s incredible ease and comforting texture. When I first developed this recipe, I often used 12-ounce cans of biscuits. However, the larger 16.3-ounce cans are much more common in grocery stores today and work just as beautifully. In fact, many people, including my own children, prefer the slightly larger, fluffier biscuit pieces they create!
• Shredded Cheese: A generous amount of cheese is non-negotiable for a truly comforting casserole. The beauty here is its versatility; any good melting cheese will work wonderfully. My personal favorites include a blend of sharp cheddar and creamy mozzarella, or a convenient colby jack for a mild, buttery flavor. Feel free to experiment with Monterey Jack, a Mexican blend, or even pepper jack if you want an extra kick.
• Sliced Olives: Black olives add a distinct briny, earthy note that complements the other flavors beautifully. I understand that olives are a polarizing ingredient – people tend to either love them or strongly dislike them. If you fall into the latter category, don’t hesitate to omit them entirely; the casserole will still be delicious!
• Ground Beef: For a healthier and less messy dish, I always recommend using a leaner ground beef (e.g., 90/10 or 93/7). This choice minimizes the amount of fat rendered during cooking, often eliminating the need to drain it, which saves time and effort. You can also substitute ground turkey or chicken for an even lighter option.
• Bell Peppers: To add both color and a touch of sweet, fresh crunch, I use a mix of red and green bell peppers. However, this is another flexible ingredient. You can certainly stick to just one color, or even introduce yellow or orange bell peppers for an even brighter presentation and slightly different sweetness.
• Mushrooms: Much like olives, mushrooms bring an umami depth that many enjoy, but they can easily be left out if they’re not to your taste. If you do include them, they soften beautifully into the ground beef mixture, adding a lovely texture and flavor dimension.
• Cumin & Chili Powder: These two powerhouse spices are essential for building that classic Tex-Mex flavor profile. They provide warmth, depth, and a subtle smokiness. While I use individual spices for precision, you could absolutely substitute a pre-made taco seasoning blend for convenience. Adjust the amounts to suit your preferred level of spice and flavor intensity.
• Cilantro: Fresh cilantro adds a vibrant, herbaceous finish to the casserole. I adore sprinkling a generous amount over the top just before serving. For an extra touch of creamy coolness, a dollop of sour cream or a swirl of plain Greek yogurt is highly recommended!

Effortless Steps to Prepare Your Taco Casserole

Creating this family-favorite Taco Casserole is incredibly straightforward, even for beginner cooks. Follow these simple steps for a hearty and flavorful meal that will have everyone asking for more. For a complete, printable recipe card with exact measurements, please refer to the dedicated section below.

STEP 1: Prepare the Biscuits. Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly greasing a 13×9 inch baking dish. Open your can of buttermilk biscuits and separate the dough. Each biscuit should then be cut into four even pieces. While you could cut them smaller, fourths seem to be the ideal size for a good biscuit-to-topping ratio in every bite.

STEP 2: Coat the Biscuits. Pour the entire can of taco sauce into your prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom. Next, add the cut biscuit pieces to the dish. Using a spoon or spatula, gently turn the biscuit pieces over in the sauce, ensuring each one is thoroughly coated. This step is crucial as it allows the biscuits to absorb all that delicious taco flavor as they bake.

STEP 3: First Bake. Once the biscuits are coated, sprinkle half of your shredded cheese and all of the sliced olives (if using) evenly over the biscuits in the dish. Place the baking dish into your preheated oven and bake for 15-18 minutes. During this time, the biscuits will start to puff up and cook through, creating a soft, flavorful base.

STEP 4: Prepare the Taco Filling. While the biscuits are baking, use a large skillet to prepare your ground beef mixture. Brown the ground beef over medium heat. Once it’s mostly cooked through, add the chopped bell peppers and sliced mushrooms. Stir in the cumin and chili powder. Continue to cook, breaking up any large pieces of beef, until the ground beef is fully cooked through and the vegetables have softened to your liking. If you used a fattier ground beef, you might want to drain any excess grease at this point.

STEP 5: Layer the Casserole. Carefully remove the casserole dish from the oven. At this stage, the biscuits should be beautifully puffed and mostly cooked. Evenly sprinkle the cooked ground beef mixture over the baked biscuit layer in the dish. Then, generously top everything with the remaining half of the shredded cheese.

STEP 6: Final Bake and Serve. Return the casserole dish to the oven for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted, bubbly, and slightly golden, and the entire casserole is heated through. Once done, remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro, a dollop of sour cream, or any of your favorite taco toppings!

Watch the Taco Casserole Come to Life!

If you’re a visual learner, sometimes seeing the process makes all the difference! You can watch a step-by-step video demonstration of how to make this delightful Taco Casserole directly above. It’s a great way to ensure you’re following each instruction perfectly and to get a better sense of the textures and stages of the dish.

Expert Tips for Taco Casserole Success

This Taco Casserole recipe is already incredibly simple, but a few extra tips and tricks can elevate your cooking experience and ensure a perfect outcome every time:

• Make Ahead Option: This casserole is fantastic for meal prepping! You can assemble the entire dish up to the point of its final bake. Cover it tightly with foil and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to cook, let it sit at room temperature for about 20-30 minutes before baking as directed. Baking from cold might require a few extra minutes, so watch for that melted, bubbly cheese. Covering it with foil during the initial reheating can also prevent the biscuits from drying out.
• Customization is Key: This recipe is a wonderful starting point for your culinary creativity! Don’t be afraid to make it your own.
  • Vegetables: Add extra veggies like corn, black beans (rinsed and drained), or diced onions to the ground beef mixture.
  • Spice Level: If you love heat, incorporate diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper into the beef. For less heat, choose a mild taco sauce and reduce the chili powder.
  • Protein: While ground beef is classic, ground turkey, ground chicken, or even a vegetarian meat substitute can be used.
  • Cheese: Experiment with different cheese blends for varied flavors.
• Serving Suggestions & Toppings: The fun doesn’t stop once the casserole is out of the oven! Turn it into a feast with an array of fresh toppings. We love it with just fresh cilantro and a generous dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt. Other fantastic additions include freshly diced tomatoes, sliced avocados or guacamole, a sprinkle of pickled jalapeños for a kick, or a spoonful of your favorite salsa. Don’t forget a side of tortilla chips for scooping up any delicious bits!
• Preventing Dry Biscuits: Ensure your biscuits are well-coated in taco sauce before the first bake. The sauce not only imparts flavor but also keeps the biscuits moist and tender as they cook. Avoid overbaking, especially during the second bake, to keep everything from drying out.

Storing and Freezing Your Taco Casserole

Having leftovers of this delicious Taco Casserole is a bonus, making for quick and easy meals later in the week. Proper storage ensures your casserole remains fresh and flavorful.

Refrigeration: Any leftover Taco Casserole should be transferred to an airtight container and stored in the refrigerator. It will maintain its best quality for up to 4 days. To reheat, you can use the microwave for individual servings until warmed through. For a larger portion, or if you prefer a crispier texture, reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C). If using the oven, cover the casserole with foil to prevent the biscuits and topping from drying out, especially if reheating a full dish.

Freezing: This casserole makes an excellent freezer meal, perfect for future busy evenings! You can prepare the entire casserole up to the point right before the final bake (meaning, after the ground beef mixture and remaining cheese have been added, but before the second bake). Allow the assembled casserole to cool completely before freezing. For best results, freeze it in a freezer-safe aluminum pan, as this allows for easy transfer from freezer to oven, though any freezer-safe casserole dish will work. Wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and then a layer of aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.

When you’re ready to enjoy, let the frozen casserole thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Once thawed, remove the plastic wrap, cover it with foil, and bake at 350°F (175°C) until heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly. You may need to remove the foil for the last 10-15 minutes to allow the cheese to brown slightly. If baking directly from frozen, it will take significantly longer (around 60-90 minutes), so be sure to increase your baking time and check that the center is hot.

Discover More Tex-Mex Inspired Favorites

If you loved this Taco Casserole, you’re sure to enjoy these other vibrant and flavorful Tex-Mex dishes from our collection. They’re perfect for adding a little spice and excitement to your meal rotation:

• Hearty Beef Enchilada Casserole
• Classic Tamale Pie
• Comforting Chicken Tamale Casserole
• Fresh Baja Fish Tacos
• Sizzling Skillet Shrimp Fajitas
• Easy Chicken Chimichanga Recipe
• Creamy White Chicken Enchiladas
• Crispy Southwest Egg Rolls

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Taco Casserole

Author: Deborah Harroun

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Servings: 8 servings

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Tex-Mex

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Biscuits are coated in taco sauce then topped with spiced ground beef and lots of cheese in this family friendly Taco Casserole.

Ingredients

• 16 oz. taco sauce
• 16.3 ounce can buttermilk biscuits*
• 8 ounces shredded cheese**
• 2.25 oz canned sliced olives, drained
• 1 pound ground beef
• ¼ cup red bell pepper, chopped
• ¼ cup green bell pepper, chopped
• 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• Chopped cilantro for serving

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400ºF (200°C). Lightly grease a 13×9 inch baking dish. Spread taco sauce evenly over the bottom of the dish.
2. Separate dough into biscuits. Cut each biscuit into 4 pieces. Place biscuit pieces in the taco sauce, turning to coat them thoroughly. Sprinkle biscuits with half of the cheese and the olives. Bake for 15-18 minutes.
3. In a large skillet, combine ground beef, peppers, mushrooms, cumin, and chili powder. Cook until the ground beef is cooked through and vegetables are softened.
4. Sprinkle the ground beef mixture over the baked biscuit mixture in the casserole dish. Top with the remaining cheese. Bake an additional 5-7 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve topped with chopped cilantro, if desired.

Video

Recipe Notes:

*I have also made this recipe successfully with a 12-ounce can of biscuits, but I find that the 16.3 ounce biscuits are easier to find. You can use either size.

**Feel free to use any cheese that melts well. I like to use a mix of cheddar and mozzarella, or Colby jack.

Nutrition information provided as an estimate only. Various brands and products can change the counts. Any nutritional information should only be used as a general guideline. Nutritional information does not include any toppings.

Nutrition Information

• Serving: 1/8 of recipe
• Calories: 456 kcal (23% Daily Value)
• Carbohydrates: 35g (12% Daily Value)
• Protein: 24g (48% Daily Value)
• Fat: 24g (37% Daily Value)
• Saturated Fat: 9g (56% Daily Value)
• Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 60mg (20% Daily Value)
• Sodium: 1218mg (53% Daily Value)
• Fiber: 2g (8% Daily Value)
• Sugar: 4g (4% Daily Value)

Keywords: taco, taco bake, taco casserole, ground beef casserole, easy dinner