Description

Loaded Taco Squares Casserole is a hearty and flavorful dish featuring layers of seasoned ground beef, bell pepper, onion, garlic, and classic taco spices combined with black beans, sweet corn, hatch chiles, diced tomatoes, and corn tortillas, all topped with melted cheddar cheese. This comforting casserole bakes to perfection with a golden cheese crust, ideal for family meals or gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Vegetables

2 lb ground beef
1 bell pepper seeded and diced
1 onion diced
2 cloves garlic minced
1 tsp kosher salt

Spices and Flour

1 tbsp chili powder
1 ½ tsp cumin
1 tbsp all-purpose flour

Canned and Frozen Ingredients

1 4-oz can hatch chiles
1 cup canned or frozen sweet corn
1 15-oz can black beans rinsed and drained
1 28-oz can diced tomatoes

Other

12 corn tortillas
12 oz cheddar cheese shredded

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Instructions

Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish and set it aside for later.
Cook Ground Beef and Vegetables: In a 4-quart saucepan, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Add the diced bell pepper, onion, garlic, and kosher salt. Cook the mixture until the onions are soft, about 4-6 minutes.
Add Spices and Flour: Stir in chili powder and cumin, cooking 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Sprinkle all-purpose flour over the mixture and continue stirring and cooking for 2 minutes to incorporate.
Add Remaining Ingredients and Simmer: Add hatch chiles, sweet corn, rinsed black beans, and diced tomatoes with their liquid. Stir everything together and bring to a simmer. Let cook for 3-4 minutes, then remove from heat.
Assemble the Casserole: Spread 1 cup of the meat mixture evenly over the bottom of the prepared baking dish as a thin layer. Arrange six corn tortillas over the meat, overlapping and slightly up the sides of the dish. Spread half of the remaining meat mixture on top of the tortillas, then sprinkle half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Repeat layering with the remaining meat mixture, tortillas (implied from previous layer), and ending with the remaining cheese on top.
Bake: Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 35-45 minutes, until the filling is hot throughout and the cheese is melted and browned.
Cool and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes before slicing into squares and serving.

Notes

Using leaner beef results in less liquid during cooking; 90% lean beef is recommended and typically does not require draining.
For added flavor and texture, char the corn tortillas on the stove before layering to introduce a smoky element.
Freshly shredding cheese from a block improves flavor and texture compared to pre-shredded cheese.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 380 kcal
Sugar: 6 g
Sodium: 600 mg
Fat: 20 g
Saturated Fat: 9 g
Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 28 g
Fiber: 7 g
Protein: 25 g
Cholesterol: 70 mg