Description

This hearty Taco Casserole is a flavorful, all-in-one dish combining seasoned ground beef, vibrant veggies, black beans, corn, and melty pepper jack cheese baked to bubbly perfection. It’s topped with fresh, customizable toppings for a festive and satisfying meal perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

1 tbsp avocado oil (or cooking oil of choice)
1 medium onion, 1/4″ dice (about 2 cups)
1 large bell pepper, 1″ dice (about 1.5 cups)
1 pound ground beef (85/15 lean)
3 tbsp taco seasoning
15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
2 cups frozen corn
2 cups fresh salsa (from refrigerated section)
3 cups Pepperjack cheese, grated

Toppings (Optional)

Sour cream
Chopped tomatoes or additional salsa
Shredded romaine lettuce
Corn chips
Green onions, sliced
Olives, sliced
Avocado, sliced or diced

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350ºF to ensure it’s hot and ready when your casserole mixture is prepared.
Sauté Vegetables: Heat a large 12-14″ skillet over medium-high heat. Add avocado oil, then sauté the diced onion and bell pepper, stirring occasionally until they soften and brown slightly, about 3-4 minutes.
Cook Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up into small pieces. Sprinkle taco seasoning evenly over the meat. Cook, stirring frequently, until the beef is fully browned and no longer pink inside.
Combine Beans, Corn, and Salsa: Stir in the drained black beans, frozen corn, and fresh salsa. Mix well to evenly combine all ingredients and then remove the skillet from heat.
Add Cheese to Mixture: Stir in 1 cup of grated Pepperjack cheese until it begins to melt into the mixture.
Transfer to Baking Dish: Lightly grease a 9″x13″ baking dish. Pour the skillet mixture into it and spread evenly. Sprinkle the remaining 2 cups of Pepperjack cheese on top.
Bake: Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the top is nicely browned and the casserole is bubbling around the edges.
Serve and Garnish: Remove from oven and let cool slightly. Serve hot topped with your favorite garnishes such as sour cream, chopped tomatoes or salsa, shredded romaine, corn chips, green onions, olives, and avocado slices for added flavor and texture.

Notes

You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for ground beef for a leaner option.
Adjust the amount of taco seasoning to taste or use a homemade blend for more control over sodium and spice levels.
If you prefer, replace Pepperjack cheese with cheddar or a Mexican cheese blend.
Ensure black beans are well-drained to avoid excess moisture in the casserole.
Make ahead tip: Prepare the skillet mixture and refrigerate before baking; just add extra baking time if baking from cold.
Leftovers can be refrigerated for 3-4 days or frozen for up to 2 months.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Casserole
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Mexican-American

Keywords: taco casserole, ground beef casserole, Mexican casserole, easy dinner, baked taco dish, pepper jack cheese casserole, family meal