Layered Taco Casserole With Tortillas (Taco Bake)

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This layered taco casserole tends to make a fast and straightforward weeknight meal. Layers of corn tortillas, salsa, refried beans, and veggies transform this Mexican-inspired casserole into a hearty meal! Taste-tested and kid-authorized! 

Is it feasible to produce a lasagna that resembles a cheesy enchilada? That’s the query I asked myself final week when I designed this recipe. And the answer was a resounding yes!

My crowd-pleasing layered taco casserole is naturally gluten-absolutely free and straightforward to make vegan! It’s super kid-friendly and an straightforward way to sneak in veggies if you have picky eaters. My little ones devour this black bean taco casserole more rapidly than you can say spinach!

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Busy nights just got less difficult. This straightforward taco lasagna recipe took 45 minutes to make, which includes baking time. And the portions have been just the correct size! Feel absolutely free to double it for a party or massive gathering, just use a bigger baking dish. Everyone loves a taco in casserole type, am I correct!

👩‍🍳 Why This Recipe Works

• Even little ones like this cheesy taco bake!
• Perfect for a busy weeknight
• Easy way to sneak in spinach and veggies
• Switch up taco evening
• The ultimate crowd pleaser
• Naturally gluten-absolutely free
• A enormous hit at any gathering
• A terrific recipe for the entire family members!

🥘 Ingredients

This vegetarian taco casserole with tortillas calls for basic components discovered at your nearby grocery retailer! Find the complete list of components and nutrition details at the bottom of this post inside the recipe.

• Red Onion: Onions sweeten and mellow as they cook. I choose red onions for their purple colour and sweet flavor, but yellow, white or sweet onions work also!
• Frozen Corn: While canned corn performs in a pinch, frozen corn tastes closer to fresh and is just as straightforward to prepare! I attempt to constantly have some in my freezer given that it tastes terrific in practically something!
• Red Bell Pepper: Red bell peppers add sweetness, and a wholesome dose of Vitamin A and C. Green peppers work also. Throw some on best of the Mexican lasagna for a good crunch!
• Garlic: Garlic amps up the flavor of any dish! I like to invest in a jar of pre-minced garlic to make items straightforward. An opened jar of garlic lasts for about 3 months in the refrigerator.
• Taco Seasoning: A packet of taco seasoning is a fast way to add flavor. Be positive to invest in one particular that is labeled gluten-absolutely free if you cannot have gluten, or make your personal seasoning with chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and oregano.
• Chunky Salsa: Chunky salsa combines fresh tomatoes, jalapenos, lime juice, onions and garlic for an immediate flavor increase. Chunky salsa is significantly less watery than restaurant style which tends to make it ideal for this layered taco bake! Homemade salsa performs terrific also!
• Frozen Spinach: Frozen spinach has all the nutrients of fresh, but it does not perish immediately! Fresh child spinach can be applied also.
• Tomato Sauce: For lots of tomato flavor!
• Corn Tortillas: Corn tortillas are my tortillas of selection! They’re healthier than flour tortillas and they final longer also.
• Refried Black Beans: I choose refried black beans, but frequent refried beans are scrumptious also! If you are gluten-absolutely free, be positive to invest in a brand that is labeled gluten-absolutely free.
• Black Olives: For a salty bite! Leave them off if you do not like them.
• Tomato: Fresh, diced tomatoes add more flavor and texture as a topping.
• Cheddar Cheese: Plenty of ooey-gooey cheese gets sprinkled on best. Feel absolutely free to add an complete cup of cheese if you like tons of cheese!

📖 Variations

Here are a couple of fast and straightforward methods to customize this taco casserole recipe!

• Protein: If you are not vegetarian, add cooked ground meat for further protein! Ground turkey, ground beef, or shredded chicken are all terrific possibilities. Layer the taco meat mixture on best of the beans. To protect against a greasy casserole, use leaner beef cuts like ground sirloin and drain the excess fat.
• Favorite Taco Toppings: This family members preferred tastes even far better with all the toppings (my preferred portion!). Green onions, crushed tortilla chips, sour cream, guacamole, pickled onions, pico de gallo, hot sauce, shredded lettuce, and pickled jalapenos are scrumptious! If you are producing this recipe for a crowd, serve the toppings in tiny bowls for straightforward access.
• Sides: This taco layer bake is filling on its personal, but scrumptious with rice! Use steam-in-bag rice, and it is prepared in significantly less than 2 minutes. A side of chips and salsa con queso never ever hurt either! 😉
• Spice: For more heat, stir a can of green chiles into the chunky salsa, or add a tablespoon of chipotle chili powder to the beans.

🔪 How To Make A Layered Taco Casserole

Here’s how to make this fast and straightforward taco casserole with black beans!

Sauté Veggies: Chop your veggies, and sauté the red onion, red pepper, garlic and crunchy corn kernels more than medium-higher heat till the onions are translucent.

Season The Beans: In a massive skillet heat up the refried beans. Add the taco seasoning to the beans till they’re as spicy as you like.

Season The Veggies: Meanwhile, add taco seasoning to the veggies and stir in the spinach. Stir effectively till the spices and spinach is effectively dispersed. 

 

Assemble Mexican Casserole: Start assembling your Mexican lasagna! In the bottom of your casserole dish, assemble the layers. Start with a layer of the tomato sauce, 1/3 of the salsa, and a layer of the corn tortillas.

Start Second Layer: Top the corn tortillas with 1/2 of the refried beans, 1/2 of the veggie mixture, and a drizzle of tomato sauce and salsa. Use a spatula to spread every single layer evenly on best of the next. If utilizing a beef mixture, add half of the meat onto the refried beans.

Start Third Layer: Continue to layer with more corn tortillas then best with the remaining refried beans, veggies, and a drizzle of tomato sauce and salsa.

Finish Layering The Taco Pie: Top with the final tortilla layer, and then add the rest of the tomato sauce and salsa. Sprinkle the cheese, olives, and tomatoes on best, and it is prepared to go into the oven!

Bake Healthy Taco Casserole: Bake at 350 degrees till the cheesy layer is bubbly and the casserole is hot all the way by means of – about 15 minutes. Top with a dollop of sour cream and love!

❓ Recipe FAQs

💭 Expert Tips To Make The Best Layered Taco Casserole

• Thaw frozen spinach overnight in the refrigerator or thaw in the microwave.
• Squeeze the excess water out of the frozen spinach just before adding it to the veggie mixture.
• Feel absolutely free to swap out the veggies with what you have on hand. You can also use seasonal vegetables such as zucchini in the summer season and butternut squash in the winter.
• Add your preferred Mexican spices. If you do not have taco seasoning use chili powder, paprika, cumin, and what ever you like to spice up your taco recipes.
• If you do not have corn tortillas you could use entire wheat flour tortillas. 
• You can make this taco bake recipe ahead of time. Assemble and retailer, covered in the fridge. Bake when you are prepared to serve it.
• For a vegan choice, omit the cheese or use a vegan-friendly cheese.
• For more firm tortillas in your enchilada lasagna, attempt pan frying them with further virgin olive oil cooking spray just before layering.

🍲 More Mexican-Inspired Recipes!

Easy recipes are the finest sort of recipes! Try one particular of these Mexican-inspired meals for your next taco Tuesday!

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