Some nights, you just need a dinner that makes everyone at the table say “YUM” in unison — no complaints, no leftovers, just clean plates and happy faces. That’s exactly what this Doritos taco casserole does.

I first made this on a busy weeknight when I had ground beef, a half-empty bag of nacho cheese Doritos, and no plan. I layered it all up with some taco fixings, popped it in the oven, and boom — instant crowd-pleaser. The crunchy chips, seasoned beef, gooey cheese, and a little sour cream on top? Total comfort.

It’s quick, cheesy, and feels a little indulgent without being too fussy. And the best part? You can customize it with whatever toppings your crew loves.

Ingredients for Easy Taco Casserole with Doritos Recipe

• 1 lb ground beef

• 1 packet taco seasoning

• ½ cup water

• 1 (10 oz) can Rotel (diced tomatoes with green chilies), drained

• 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed

• 2 cups shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese, divided

• 1 (9.25 oz) bag nacho cheese Doritos, lightly crushed

• Optional toppings: sour cream, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, green onions, jalapeños

How to Make Easy Taco Casserole with Doritos Recipe

1. Cook the beef. In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until no longer pink. Drain excess fat.

2. Add seasoning. Stir in taco seasoning, water, Rotel, and black beans. Simmer for 5 minutes until thickened.

3. Layer the casserole. In a greased 9x13 baking dish, spread half the crushed Doritos. Top with the beef mixture, then sprinkle 1½ cups of cheese over the top.

4. Bake. Bake at 350°F for 15–20 minutes, until hot and bubbly. Top with remaining cheese and bake 5 more minutes until melted.

5. Top and serve. Sprinkle with the rest of the crushed Doritos and your favorite taco toppings. Serve hot!

Sarah’s Simple Tips

• Add heat. Stir in a few pickled jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce if you like a little kick.

• Make it lighter. Use ground turkey or lean beef and low-fat cheese.

• Great for leftovers. This reheats well for next-day lunches — just save the topping chips separately for crunch!

Flavorful Conclusion

This Doritos taco casserole is what I like to call “easy magic” — it’s bold, cheesy, and totally satisfying, but takes barely any time to pull together. Whether it’s a weeknight dinner, game day, or a fun twist on Taco Tuesday, this one’s guaranteed to be a hit.

Nutrition (per serving, based on 6 servings):
Calories: 490
Fat: 28g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Carbohydrates: 34g
Sugar: 3g
Protein: 25g
Sodium: 860mg