Make this easy taco casserole in just 30 minutes, it's loaded with all the good stuff: well-seasoned ground beef, cream cheese, sour cream and melted cheese on top. A great dinner any night of the week, and one the whole family is sure to love!
A Little Cream Cheese Makes Everything Better
I love this taco casserole because it's so easy to make - and so packed full of flavor. We start off with taco seasoned ground beef, add some cream cheese and sour cream (and you can even use flavored cream cheese for extra flavor!) and top it all off with cheese. What's not to love?!
Not to mention, it's so easy to make. Just a few simple steps and maybe 10 minutes of your time, then pop it in the oven and enjoy dinner just 20 minutes later.
How's that for an easy weeknight dinner?!
Also - I've served this to picky kids and they LOVED it and said it was the best taco casserole ever. So there's that. I don't have kids, but if you do, I bet they'll love it too!
Classic Taco Ingredients - Plus Cream Cheese!
I love using flavored cream cheese for this recipe. It adds so much flavor! My go-to is garlic and herbs as it fits so well with the general flavor profile. You can also use a neutral cream cheese, or another flavor you enjoy.
Choose your spice level. I like a hot taco sauce and lots of jalapeños, but if I serve this to kids I will go for a mild or medium and use less jalapeños, or ewven leave them on the side for everyone to add as they like. You do you!
Ground beef can be swapped for other ground meat or "meat". Ground pork and a mix of ground beef and pork are both great, and you can also use vegan and vegetarian alternatives.
How to Make It in Just 30 Minutes
1. Prep Your Baking Dish
Start by prepping the baking dish - grease it lightly, then line it with tortillas. I like to tear them roughly in half for this. Make sure the bottom and as much as possible of the sides are covered!
2. Let's Do the Meat
Brown the ground beef in a pan, then add taco seasoning followed by taco sauce. Let it simmer, then spread it out on top of the tortillas.
3. Making It Creamy
In a small bowl, mix together cream cheese, sour cream, paprika powder and garlic powder. Then spread it out on top of the ground beef.
4. Finishing Touches
Top with shredded cheese, cherry tomatoes and jalapeños.
5. Time to Bake!
Bake for 20 minutes, until the casserole is set and the cheese is melted. If it starts to brown too much, tent with foil.
Storing, Freezing & Reheating Instructions
Storing: Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Freezing: Store leftovers in the freezer in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Leftovers: Reheat leftovers in individual servings in the microwave, or reheat the entire casserole in the oven.
Reheating in microwave: Reheat leftovers in the microwave in 1-minute increments.
Reheating in the oven: Bring the casserole out from the oven 30-60 minutes before serving for best results. Cover with foil and reheat in the middle of the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20-30 minutes, until heated to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
More Quick & Easy Casseroles
- Walking Taco Casserole30 Minutes
- No-Boil Ravioli Casserole35 Minutes
- Gorgonzola Mac and Cheese (Dump-and-Bake!)1 Hours 5 Minutes
- Cheesy Tortellini Casserole with Spinach25 Minutes
More Quick & Easy 30-Minute Dinners
- Lemon Ricotta Pasta10 Minutes
- Cast Iron Pork Chops with Mushrooms, Red Wine & Thyme25 Minutes
- Baked Lemon Pepper Salmon22 Minutes
- Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta12 Minutes
Recipe
Easy Taco Casserole With Cream Cheese
Print RateIngredients
- 4 wheat tortillas
- 1 tablespoon butter or oil olive oil or neutral cooking oil + a bit more for greasing the dish
- 1 lb ground beef
- 4 tablespoon taco seasoning store bought or homemade
- 1 8 oz jar salsa I like hot; use what suits you
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¾ cup cream cheese natural or garlic & herb flavored
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika powder
- ½ cup shredded cheese
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes cut in half
- ¼ cup pickled jalapeños roughly chopped; optional
To Serve
- ½ loosely packed cup cilantro finely chopped; more or less according to taste
- tortilla chips optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 440 °F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch (20 x 30 cm) baking dish with oil or butter. Tear the tortillas in half and spread out evenly in the bottom of the dish, making sure the entire bottom and sides are covered. Set aside for now.4 wheat tortillas
- Heat oil or butter in a pan over medium-high heat then add in ground beef. Cook 3-5 minutes until browned, then add taco seasoning and cook 1 more minute while mixing.1 lb ground beef, 4 tablespoon taco seasoning, 1 tablespoon butter or oil
- Add salsa, mix, lower to medium heat and simmer 2 minutes.1 8 oz jar salsa
- In a small bowl, combine sour cream, cream cheese, garlic powder and paprika powder. Mix well.½ cup sour cream, ¾ cup cream cheese, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon paprika powder
- Pour the meat mixture on top of the tortillas in the baking dish. Spread the sour cream and cream cheese mixture on top. Sprinkle with shredded cheese and top with tomatoes and jalapeños½ cup shredded cheese, 1 cup cherry tomatoes, ¼ cup pickled jalapeños
- Bake in the middle of the oven at 440 °F for 20 minutes, until browned and set.
- Top with chopped cilantro, and serve - preferably with a side of tortilla chips.½ loosely packed cup cilantro, tortilla chips
Equipment (may contain affiliate links)
- Casserole Dish 9×13 inches (20x30 cm)
- Measuring cups (metric or US)*
Video
Notes
Storing, Freezing & Reheating Instructions
Storing: Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Freezing: Store leftovers in the freezer in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Leftovers: Reheat leftovers in individual servings in the microwave, or reheat the entire casserole in the oven. Reheating in microwave: Reheat leftovers in the microwave in 1-minute increments. Reheating in the oven: Bring the casserole out from the oven 30-60 minutes before serving for best results. Cover with foil and reheat in the middle of the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20-30 minutes, until heated to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).Nutrition
Nutritional information is approximate and automatically calculated, and should only be viewed as an indication.
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