Description
Mexican-inspired Taco Potato Casserole brings zesty comfort to dinner tables with layers of crispy potatoes, seasoned ground beef, and melted cheese. Hearty flavors meld perfectly, creating a crowd-pleasing meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb (454 grams) ground beef
- 1 bag (30 oz / 850 grams) frozen diced hash brown potatoes
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Seasoning and Sauce Ingredients:
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 can (10.5 oz / 298 grams) cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 can (10 oz / 283 grams) diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained
Optional and Finishing Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup chopped green onions
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350°F and lightly coat a spacious baking dish with cooking spray.
- Sauté ground beef in a skillet until thoroughly browned, carefully draining any accumulated fat.
- Incorporate taco seasoning and diced tomatoes with green chilies, allowing the mixture to simmer and meld flavors for 2-3 minutes.
- Create a creamy potato base by combining shredded hash browns, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and a generous portion of shredded cheese, seasoning with salt and pepper to enhance the taste.
- Distribute the seasoned beef evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish, creating a robust foundation for the casserole.
- Gently layer the potato mixture over the beef, ensuring complete coverage and a smooth surface.
- Generously sprinkle the remaining cheese across the top, creating a golden, melty crust.
- Transfer the casserole to the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes until the top turns golden brown and the edges become deliciously bubbly.
- Once removed from the oven, garnish with freshly chopped green onions for a vibrant, fresh finish.
- Allow the casserole to rest briefly before serving to help it set and make portioning easier.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner or vegetarian version that keeps the same delicious flavor profile.
- Customize heat levels by choosing mild, medium, or spicy taco seasoning to match personal taste preferences.
- Boost nutrition by adding diced bell peppers or corn to the potato mixture for extra texture and vitamins.
- Prep ahead by assembling the casserole earlier in the day and refrigerating until ready to bake, which helps develop deeper flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg