Three Layer Cheesy Taco Bake
If you're a fan of tacos and cheese, you will love Three Layer Cheesy Taco Bake! This one dish, family-approved meal has all the best flavors of taco night--without all the cleanup!
Equipment
- large saucepan with lid
- meat chopper
- cutting board and chef's knife
- measuring cups
- measuring spoons
- 13x9 casserole dish (well greased)
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Ingredients
- 1 lb. lean ground beef, cooked and drained I use extra lean
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 ½ tablespoons chili powder or 1 packet of taco seasoning to replace chili powder and cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
- ⅓ cup water
- 1 can (16 oz.) refried beans
- 1 ¼ cups (10 oz.) taco sauce
- 12 (6 inch) corn tortillas can substitute flour street tacos
- 1 cup sour cream I use reduced fat
- 8 ounces finely shredded Mexican cheese blend
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Cook the ground beef and diced onion in a skillet over medium heat. Use a meat chopper to break up any large clumps. Once meat is browned, remove from heat and drain.
- Add the chili powder, cumin, salt, pepper and water; stir. Return the skillet to the stovetop and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture thickens.
- Stir in the refried beans. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Layer #1: Spread ¼ cup of the taco sauce on the bottom of a prepared 13x9 baking dish. Place 4 tortillas on top of the sauce (they will overlap slightly). Spoon half the meat on top of the tortillas. Spread all of the sour cream on top of this layer.
- Layer #2:Spread ½ cup of taco sauce over sour cream. Place 4 more tortillas on top of the sauce. Spread the remaining meat over the tortillas. Sprinkle half (4 oz.) of the shredded cheese over the meat.
- Layer#3:Place the last 4 tortillas on top. Pour on the remaining sauce. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 5 minutes. or until cheese is slightly browned and casserole is slightly bubbling. Let stand 5 minutes before serving!
Notes
Store in an airtight container and refrigerate. Enjoy within five days.
Reheating instructions: Bake covered at 325 degrees for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 5-10 minutes or until the casserole is heated through.
Be careful when following the instructions...each layer is assembled a little differently.
This meal is very satisfying, yet filling. The four of us only eat half of this for dinner (which is great, because then there's a full leftover waiting for next time).
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!