Recipe for a Crowd: Baked Taco Bar Casserole

Serves 12-15

🛒 Ingredients:

• 3 lbs ground beef or turkey

• 3 packets taco seasoning

• 1 large onion, diced

• 2 cans black beans, drained

• 2 cans corn, drained

• 2 cans Rotel or diced tomatoes with green chiles

• 2 bags (10–12 oz each) tortilla chips

• 4 cups shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)

• Optional: 1 can enchilada sauce or salsa (for extra flavor)

  
  

🧂 Optional Toppings Bar (so everyone’s happy):

• Sour cream

• Guacamole or sliced avocado

• Shredded lettuce

• Diced tomatoes

• Jalapeños

• Salsa or pico de gallo

• Hot sauce

• Cilantro

• Lime wedges

  
  

👩‍🍳 Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.

2. In a large skillet or pot, cook ground meat with diced onion. Drain fat.

3. Stir in taco seasoning, Rotel, beans, corn, and a splash of water (or enchilada sauce if using). Let simmer for 5–10 mins.

4. In two large 9x13 pans, layer: crushed tortilla chips → taco mixture → cheese. Repeat one more layer.

5. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil, bake an additional 10 minutes until bubbly and golden.

6. Set up your toppings bar while it bakes.

7. Serve scoop-style and let guests top their own — like a taco but easier!

   
   

💡 Tips:

• Vegetarian? Skip the meat and add extra beans and sautéed peppers/onions.

• Leftovers reheat beautifully for lunch the next day.

• Want a fancier twist? Add a layer of refried beans or Spanish rice between the layers.