Taco Salad Casserole

This Taco Salad Casserole is a comforting, family-friendly dish that merges the best of taco night with the ease of a baked casserole. It features savory ground beef simmered in a robust blend of chili powder, cumin, and canned tomatoes, creating a deeply flavorful base. The unique twist here is the inclusion of a cottage cheese and jack cheese layer, which binds the tortillas together while adding a creamy, protein-rich texture that sets it apart from standard enchiladas. Topped with crisp lettuce, fresh tomatoes, sharp cheddar, and green onions, it offers a delightful contrast of hot, soft, and crunchy textures. Perfect for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or meal prep, this dish serves a crowd and satisfies everyone's craving for bold, American-style Tex-Mex flavors without the fuss of making individual wraps.

Cooking Method: Baking, Stewing

Cuisine: American

Courses: Salads

Difficulty: Advanced

Servings: 12

Calories: 791.4

Description

This Taco Salad Casserole is a comforting, family-friendly dish that merges the best of taco night with the ease of a baked casserole. It features savory ground beef simmered in a robust blend of chili powder, cumin, and canned tomatoes, creating a deeply flavorful base. The unique twist here is the inclusion of a cottage cheese and jack cheese layer, which binds the tortillas together while adding a creamy, protein-rich texture that sets it apart from standard enchiladas. Topped with crisp lettuce, fresh tomatoes, sharp cheddar, and green onions, it offers a delightful contrast of hot, soft, and crunchy textures. Perfect for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or meal prep, this dish serves a crowd and satisfies everyone's craving for bold, American-style Tex-Mex flavors without the fuss of making individual wraps.

Ingredients

Olive oil
Ground beef
Onion, chopped
Garlic, minced
Chili powder
Sweet paprika
Salt
Oregano
Cumin
Cayenne
Tomatoes, canned
Chopped chilies
Cottage cheese, small curd
Jack cheese, shredded
Egg
Corn tortillas
Iceberg lettuce, shredded
Plum tomatoes, chopped
Cheddar cheese, shredded
Green onions, chopped

Directions

1
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and chopped onion, cooking until the beef is browned and the onion is softened.
2
Drain excess fat from the skillet, leaving about a tablespoon to carry flavor.
3
Stir in minced garlic, chili powder, paprika, salt, oregano, cumin, and cayenne. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly until fragrant.
4
Add the canned tomatoes (with their juice) and chopped chilies to the skillet. If desired, puree the tomatoes slightly for a smoother sauce.
5
Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens and excess liquid evaporates.
6
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly oil a 9x13-inch baking dish.
7
In a medium bowl, combine cottage cheese, shredded Jack cheese, and the egg. Mix well until smooth.
8
Arrange half of the corn tortillas in the bottom of the prepared baking dish, overlapping them slightly to cover the surface.
9
Spread the cooked meat and tomato mixture evenly over the first layer of tortillas.
10
Top with the remaining tortillas, overlapping again to cover the meat layer completely.
11
Pour the cottage cheese mixture evenly over the top layer of tortillas, spreading it to the edges.
12
Bake for 30 minutes, or until the topping is firm and the edges are bubbling.
13
Remove from oven and let the casserole stand for 5 minutes to set before cutting.
14
Cut into rectangles. Top each serving with shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, shredded cheddar, green onions, and olives if desired. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 12 pies

Amount Per Serving
Calories 791.4kcal

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 41.1g64%
Saturated Fat 14.4g72%
Cholesterol 177.1mg60%
Sodium 5255.5mg219%
Total Carbohydrate 40.2g14%
Dietary Fiber 14.5g58%
Sugars 22.8g
Protein 68.2g137%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Read it online: https://www.chefs-mate.com/recipe/taco-salad-casserole/