by Diana Rattray
This taco casserole will fulfill all of your wishes for a hearty one-dish meal. Just add some tortillas or taco chips, shredded lettuce, and toppings, and enjoy! Whether following a low carb diet or not, this will please everyone in the family. The ground beef and black bean mixture can also be used to fill taco shells, or omit the chips and serve the casserole on shredded lettuce for a tasty meal that is low in carbs.
If you replace the spices with a taco seasoning blend, make sure you taste before adding the salt.
If you love Mexican and Tex-Mex flavors, try this recipe for Instant Pot taco meat or our burrito casserole.
Beef and Bean Taco Casserole
This delicious taco casserole uses ground beef & black beans to fulfill your cravings for a hearty one-dish meal. Add tortillas, taco shells, or chips, or serve it with lettuce for a low-carb meal!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
- Category: Ground Beef
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (divided)
- 1 pound lean ground beef (preferably 90/10)
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1 bell pepper (red or green, chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 can (15-ounce) black beans (drained, rinsed)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (fresh ground)
- 1 cup chunky tomato salsa
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can fire roasted tomatoes (diced)
- 2 cups cheddar or cheddar jack cheese (divided)
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- Optional: sour cream, jalapeno pepper rings, chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 F. Spray a 9-by-13-by-2-inch baking dish with cooking oil spray.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook for about 7 minutes, or until no longer pink, breaking it up into small pieces. Remove the ground beef to a plate and discard any excess drippings in the skillet.
- Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to the skillet. When the oil is hot and shimmering, add the onion and bell pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until the onion is softened. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute longer.
- Return the beef to the skillet and add the black beans, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, pepper, salsa, and tomatoes. Stir to blend the ingredients and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 2 minutes.
- Stir 1 cup of the cheese into the meat mixture and turn it into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese over the mixture.
- Bake the casserole for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the casserole is hot and bubbling around the edges.
- Remove to a rack and let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
- Serve with shredded lettuce, taco chips, and your favorite toppings.
