Description
This Cheesy Taco Potato Casserole is a flavorful and hearty dish combining seasoned ground beef, tender diced potatoes, and melted Mexican blend cheese. Perfectly spiced with taco seasoning and enriched with salsa, this casserole is a comforting meal topped with fresh garnishes like shredded lettuce, cilantro, avocado, and sour cream or Greek yogurt.
Ingredients
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2 bell peppers, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups gold potatoes, diced (about 1.5 lbs)
Seasonings and Sauces
- 1 oz taco seasoning (1 packet or about 3 tbsp; prefer Siete taco seasoning)
- 1 1/2 cups salsa
Cheese
- 1 1/2 cups Mexican blend cheese, shredded, divided (1 cup + 1/2 cup)
Toppings (Optional)
- Shredded lettuce
- Cilantro
- Avocado slices
- Diced tomatoes
- Lime wedges
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook the Ground Beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the lean ground beef, breaking it up with a spatula, and cook for 4-5 minutes until browned.
- Add Vegetables and Potatoes: To the skillet with the beef, add diced bell peppers, onion, minced garlic, and diced gold potatoes. Stir to combine, then cover the pan and cook for 10 minutes, stirring once halfway through to ensure even cooking.
- Brown the Potatoes: Remove the cover and continue cooking uncovered for another 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until the potatoes start to brown and crisp slightly.
- Mix in Seasoning and Salsa: Turn off the heat and stir in the taco seasoning packet and salsa, followed by 1 cup of shredded Mexican blend cheese until melted and combined.
- Transfer to Baking Dish and Top: Transfer the mixture to a 9×9-inch baking dish or you can keep it in your oven-safe skillet. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheese evenly on top.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the baking dish or skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes until the cheese on top is melted and bubbly.
- Serve and Garnish: Remove from the oven and serve hot, topped with optional shredded lettuce, cilantro, avocado slices, diced tomatoes, lime wedges, and dollops of sour cream or Greek yogurt.
Notes
- Nutrition facts are based on 5 equal servings of this casserole, approximately 2 cups each.
- You may substitute any type of cheese if preferred, but a Mexican blend enhances the authentic flavor.
- This dish can be made in an oven-safe skillet or transferred to a baking dish for convenience.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
