Description
A quick, creamy, and kid-approved weeknight dinner that comes together in 30 minutes using pantry staples like ground beef, beans, salsa, and cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 pounds ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
- 1 packet (1 ounce) taco seasoning
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup (150g) corn (frozen or canned, drained)
- 1.5 cups (360g) salsa
- 2 cups (200g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup (100g) Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- 2–3 stalks green onions, sliced (for serving)
- Sour cream (for serving)
- Fresh cilantro (for serving)
- Lime wedges (for serving)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and break it up with a wooden spoon, cooking until no longer pink (5-7 minutes). Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Sprinkle taco seasoning over the browned beef and stir well. Add the drained black beans, corn, and salsa. Stir to coat evenly and simmer for 2-3 minutes until thick and saucy.
- Transfer the beef mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and starting to brown slightly.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes to allow the casserole to set.
- Serve topped with green onions, sour cream, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.
Notes
For best results, shred your own cheese from blocks rather than using pre-shredded cheese, which contains anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting. Ensure beans and salsa are drained thoroughly to avoid a watery casserole. Letting the casserole rest for 5 minutes after baking is crucial for clean slicing. This recipe is naturally gluten-free, but check taco seasoning labels for wheat flour.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Fiber: 6
- Protein: 28
Keywords: taco casserole, beef casserole, weeknight dinner, easy dinner, family meals, comfort food, cheesy casserole, ground beef recipes