Description

A comforting, weeknight-friendly casserole that combines seasoned ground beef, Rotel tomatoes, and tortilla chips with melted cheddar cheese. Inspired by a grandmother’s recipe, it offers bold taco flavors with a crispy, golden top.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb (450g) 80/20 ground beef
1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning
1 can (10 oz) Rotel tomatoes with green chilies, drained
2 cups (200g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
3 cups (90g) restaurant-style tortilla chips
1/2 cup (120g) sour cream
2 stalks green onions, sliced
Cooking spray or oil for greasing dish

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook for 8-10 minutes, breaking it into small crumbles until fully browned. Drain excess grease, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan.
Reduce heat to medium. Sprinkle taco seasoning over the beef and stir to coat. Add the drained Rotel tomatoes and simmer for 3-4 minutes until the mixture is thick and cohesive.
Layer half of the beef mixture in the bottom of the baking dish. Top with half of the tortilla chips, then half of the shredded cheese.
Repeat the layers with the remaining beef, chips, and cheese.
Bake for 10 minutes until the cheese is melted. Switch to broil for 2-3 minutes, watching closely, until the top is bubbly and golden brown.
Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes to allow layers to set.
Dollop with sour cream and sprinkle with sliced green onions before serving.

Notes

For best results, shred your own cheese to ensure smooth melting. Drain the Rotel tomatoes well to prevent soggy chips. If using day-old chips, they absorb sauce better without turning to mush. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before cutting to ensure clean slices.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 450
Sugar: 4
Sodium: 650
Fat: 28
Saturated Fat: 12
Carbohydrates: 28
Fiber: 3
Protein: 25

Keywords: taco casserole, ground beef recipe, weeknight dinner, cheesy casserole, family dinner, comfort food, easy recipes