Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat until fully cooked. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Stir in taco seasoning and water. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until well combined.
- Spread the refried beans evenly in a 9x13-inch baking dish. Top with the seasoned beef mixture.
- Pour salsa evenly over the beef. Sprinkle with half the shredded cheese. Add any optional mix-ins like corn or black beans.
- Bake uncovered for 20 minutes, until bubbly at the edges and cheese is melted.
- Remove from oven, sprinkle crushed tortilla chips on top along with remaining cheese. Return to oven for 5 minutes to melt and crisp.
- Let casserole cool for 5 minutes before serving. Top with sour cream, guacamole, or fresh salad if desired.
Nutrition
Notes
For best crunch, add crushed tortilla chips or Doritos during the last few minutes of baking. Let it cool for about 5 minutes before serving to avoid molten-hot bites. This recipe freezes well, making it perfect for meal prep. Swap ingredients freely — turkey, chicken, or plant-based meat all work, as do black beans or rice in place of refried beans.