Baked Taco Casserole
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An easy casserole layered with quick cornbread, seasoned meat, salsa, and cheese. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal and makes great leftovers!
Now that you are fully equipped with my favorite homemade taco seasoning recipe, it’s time to make one of my favorite easy weeknight meals to ever exist in the history of my small “cooking” repertoire.
I’ve mentioned before that I do not cook. Exhibit A. It’s just not for me. Thank goodness I married a man who is a great cook, because if I hadn’t, life would be much like it was when I lived alone for 4 years… Lots of frozen meals, pasta, and things like this casserole.
It’s no wonder I was in the best shape of my life (and the least “fluffy”) after Matt and I moved in together. Personal trainer and good cook? Pshhh. I totally married up.
I can absolutely cook if by “cook” you mean maybe do a little work and then throw it all into a dish to bake. It’s basically baking disguised with savory ingredients, so I’m pro. That’s why I love this baked ziti recipe so much.
A little work on the outside (boiling pasta) and then all the magic happens in the oven. Yes, please!
This baked taco casserole is very much the same as that ziti recipe in that most of the work is done in about 10 minutes, and the oven makes it all fancy. Browning the meat is the hardest part, if that tells you anything about the simplicity of this casserole. Thankfully, browning meat is a specialty of mine.
Totally made tons of taco meat when I lived alone. It’s pretty much my cooking specialty.
If you’ve read my baked ziti post, you know I love taking that dish to friends who just had a baby, and before that ziti was my staple, this taco casserole was my go-to.
The OG baby casserole.
Things I love about that recipe: easy, freezable, reheatable, hearty, travels well, tasty. Well, guess what? This baked taco casserole is all of those things as well. Shocking.
I have to be honest and say that this recipe is not my own. It was actually given to me by my wonderful graphic designer (who designed my beautiful FAF logo!) manyyyyy many years ago, and she got it from Fleischmann’s.
Which means that yes, it does contain yeast, BUT don’t go running yet. You don’t have to do anything with the yeast except put it in a bowl.
I told you, easy.
WHAT IS IN TACO CASSEROLE?
This baked taco casserole consists of 4 deeeeelicious layers: a light cornbread layer graces the bottom, followed by seasoned meat, salsa, and of course, cheese to top it all off.
The cornbread layer sounds complicated, but it is not in the slightest. You’ll need some flour, corn meal, 2 envelopes of yeast, some sugar to get the reaction going, a touch of salt, and then warm milk, oil (I have used vegetable, corn, or olive here), and just one egg.
No kneading, no rising, no nothing. Just mix it all up and begin layering your casserole.
Another thing I love about this recipe is that it starts with a cold oven. That’s right– no waiting for the oven to heat up!
START WITH A COLD OVEN TO MAKE IT EVEN EASIER
Starting cold allows the yeast to react with the warm milk/sugar/flour gradually. The cornbread layer will start as a batter but wind up a light and fluffy bread texture by the end of the 30 minutes in the oven.
Like I said earlier, all the magic happens in the oven. My kind of recipe.
Once you dig into a slice of this taco casserole, you’ll know why I love it so much. It’s essentially like eating a taco without a shell, or dipping into taco dip with a fork instead of a chip.
It’s a warm taco you can sink your silverware into without getting all drippy and messy with toppings. Which also means it’s great for little hands and mouths! Tacos for everyone!
Hot from the oven, reheated to warm from the “leftovers” stash, or honestly, even cold… This baked taco casserole is the easy way to tacos that requires minimal cleanup and easy storage.
Don’t get me wrong, I love me an overflowing, overstuffed, drippy, messy taco… But if I can make this casserole happen in my oven with very little hands on time– I’m 110% in!
Baked Taco Casserole
Ingredients
MEAT FILLING
- 1 pound ground meat of your choice
- 1/3 cup water
- 3 Tablespoons homemade taco seasoning or 1 packet store-bought seasoning
CORNBREAD LAYER
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour be sure to measure properly
- 1/2 cup corn meal
- 2 envelopes 4 and 1/2 teaspoons dry active yeast
- 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup warm milk
- 3 Tablespoons oil vegetable, corn, or olive is fine
- 1 large egg
TOPPINGS
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 cup shredded cheese of your choice I prefer a Mexican blend
Instructions
- Lightly spray a casserole dish (8x8, 7x11, and 9x13 all work well here) with non-stick spray. Set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground meat and drain. Add the water and homemade taco seasoning and mix well. Allow to simmer on low for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
- In a medium sie bowl, toss together the flour, corn meal, yeast, sugar, and salt. Add the warm milk, oil, and egg and mix gently until no lumps remain.
- Pour the batter into prepared baking dish. Layer the taco meat evenly on top of the batter, followed by an even layer of the salsa, and an even layer of the shredded cheese.
- Place the baking dish in a cold oven and set the temperature to 350°F. Bake for 30 minutes. Allow to cool at least 15 minutes before serving. Leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator, covered tightly, up to 5 days. Baked casserole freezes well, up to 2 month. Thaw in refrigerator overnight and bake in a preheated 300ºF oven for 25 minutes or until heated through.
Notes
Nutrition Disclosure
All nutritional values are approximate and provided to the reader as a courtesy. Changing ingredients and/or quantities will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.
More spicy recipes!
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Lynn this looks INCREDIBLE! I am 110% adding this to my “in preparation for Baby M” freezer meal list. Can’t waiiiiiiiit (mmmmm cheeeeese).
YES!! That’s why I asked you a few weeks ago about yeast being GF, because I thought this would tickle your fancy. Aaaaaand since you’re so into quick & easy right now, I know you feel me on that part too!
I’ve never had a taco casserole before! This looks so good!
Like a taco, but easier!!
Made this last night! Sooooo delish! Served it with corn. Thanks for sharing, Lynn!
Thanks, Naomi! So glad you enjoyed it!
This should be called ‘Magical Baked Taco Casserole’ – I am totally in love with the kitchen science wizardry behind the cold oven and yeast situation! I can’t wait to try a veggie version of this 🙂 During winter weeknights I am all about the freezer stash situation 🙂
You don’t cook? Pffttt.. you have to be kidding me! Look at this empire of recipes you’ve created! Cook, bake, its all the same and you are gooooood. Love this taco casserole – I’ve never seen anything like it!
This sounds so delicious and I’m wondering if the 30 minutes begins when you turn on the oven?
Hey, Shari! Place in cold oven, turn on temp, set for 30 minutes.
You note several different pan sizes can be used. I assume the 30 minute time is for a 9x13ish, not 8×8? I think I’m going to try this with leftover turkey!
Hi, Sandy– great question. The 30 minutes is for 8×8 but it also works well for 9×13. Honestly, it’s hard to dry this dish out, which is nice! Enjoy!