Zesty Ground Beef Doritos Casserole Recipe: A Family Favorite

Comfort food reaches new heights with this mouthwatering ground beef Doritos casserole that promises pure deliciousness.

Layers of crispy chips and seasoned meat create an irresistible combination that’s hard to resist.

Packed with bold flavors and cheesy goodness, this recipe delivers a satisfying meal in just minutes.

The crunch of Doritos perfectly complements the rich, savory ground beef.

Melted cheese blankets each bite, creating a texturally exciting dish that screams indulgence.

Weeknight dinners have never looked so tempting.

Bring this crowd-pleasing casserole to the table and watch everyone’s faces light up with excitement.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 580 kcal

Servings: 6

Ground Beef Doritos Casserole Ingredients Rundown

• Doritos: Crunchy corn chips that provide a zesty, textural foundation and unexpected flavor twist to the casserole.
• Olive Oil: Helps sauté ingredients smoothly and adds a subtle richness to the cooking process.

• Ground Beef: Hearty protein that serves as the main filling with robust meaty flavor.
• Onions: Aromatic vegetable that adds depth and sweetness to the beef mixture.
• Taco Seasoning: Spice blend that infuses the meat with bold, southwestern-style taste.
• Diced Tomatoes With Green Chilies: Adds moisture, tanginess, and subtle heat to the dish.

• Cream Of Mushroom Soup: Creates a velvety, binding sauce that enhances overall richness.
• Sour Cream: Contributes a tangy creaminess and helps mellow the spicy components.
• Shredded Cheese: Melts beautifully, creating a gooey, stretchy topping that adds luxurious texture.

• Green Onions: Fresh, mild onion flavor that brightens the dish.
• Jalapeños: Adds extra heat for spice lovers.
• Cilantro: Provides a fresh, herbal note.
• Diced Tomatoes: Adds freshness and color.

Tools to Assemble Ground Beef Doritos Casserole

• Large Skillet: Essential for browning ground beef and sautéing onions.
• 9×13-inch Baking Dish: Perfect for layering and baking the casserole.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and breaking up ground beef.
• Measuring Cups: Helpful for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Cheese Grater: Useful if using block cheese instead of pre-shredded.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for chopping onions and optional garnishes.

Steps to Prepare Ground Beef Doritos Casserole

• Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350°F and give your baking dish a quick spray of cooking oil to prevent sticking.

• Brown the Meat Magic

Sizzle onions in a skillet until they’re soft and translucent. Toss in ground beef and break it into crumbly pieces while cooking. Drain any extra grease and sprinkle in taco seasoning and zesty diced tomatoes with green chilies.

• Create the Creamy Base

Pull the skillet off the heat and swirl in cream of mushroom soup and sour cream until everything looks gloriously blended.

• Layer the Crunchy Goodness

Crush Doritos and spread half across the baking dish. Spoon over half the meat mixture and shower with a blanket of shredded cheese. Repeat the layers for maximum flavor explosion.

• Bake to Perfection

Slide the casserole into the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese transforms into a bubbly, golden landscape.

• Dress and Serve

Let the casserole rest for a few minutes. Top with your favorite garnishes like green onions, jalapeños, or a dollop of sour cream. Dig in while it’s hot!

Flavor Tips for Ground Beef Doritos Casserole Fans

• Make-Ahead Magic: Prep the entire casserole up to the baking stage and refrigerate for up to 24 hours, allowing flavors to meld beautifully before baking.
• Spice Level Control: Swap regular Doritos for mild or spicy varieties to adjust heat intensity, perfect for families with different spice tolerances.
• Healthier Protein Swap: Replace ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner, vegetarian-friendly version of the casserole.
• Gluten-Free Friendly: Use gluten-free Doritos and ensure taco seasoning is certified gluten-free to make this dish accessible for those with dietary restrictions.

How to Serve Ground Beef Doritos Casserole Right

• Zesty Game Night Delight: Serve this casserole during movie marathons or sports watching parties as a crowd-pleasing main dish that keeps everyone satisfied and energized.
• Southwest Family Feast: Pair with Mexican-style rice, black beans, or a crisp green salad to create a complete meal that balances the rich, cheesy casserole with fresh sides.
• Taco Tuesday Twist: Use this recipe as a fun alternative to traditional tacos, offering a unique presentation that kids and adults will love with its crunchy Doritos base and savory beef layers.
• Leftover Magic: Reheat individual portions in the microwave for quick lunches or transform remaining casserole into a stuffing for bell peppers or rolled tortillas for a completely new meal experience.

Store and Save Ground Beef Doritos Casserole

• Smart Storage Solutions: Store leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor preservation.
• Freezer-Friendly Strategy: Wrap casserole tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Portion Control Hack: Divide casserole into individual servings before refrigerating, making quick grab-and-go meals for busy weekdays.
• Reheating Magic: Warm refrigerated portions in the oven at 350F for 15-20 minutes to maintain crispy Doritos texture and prevent sogginess.

Cheesy Ground Beef Doritos Casserole Recipe

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4.6 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty ground beef doritos casserole brings zesty southwestern flavors to weeknight dinner tables. Mexican-inspired layers combine crispy chips, seasoned meat, and melted cheese for a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
• 2 cups (200 g) shredded cheddar cheese (or Mexican cheese blend)
• 1 bag (9.75 oz / 275 g) Nacho Cheese Doritos, lightly crushed
• 1 can (10 oz / 284 g) Rotel (diced tomatoes with green chilies), undrained
• 1 can (10 oz / 284 g) cream of mushroom soup (or cream of chicken)
• 1 cup (240 g) sour cream
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 packet taco seasoning mix (or 2 tbsps homemade taco seasoning)
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• Fresh cilantro, chopped
• Sliced jalapenos
• Diced tomatoes
• Green onions, sliced
• Sour cream or guacamole for serving

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Instructions

1. Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Aromatic Foundation: Sauté onions in olive oil until translucent, then introduce ground beef, breaking into crumbly pieces and cooking until fully browned. Drain excess fat.
3. Flavor Infusion: Blend taco seasoning and diced tomatoes with green chilies into the meat, allowing flavors to intensify. Mix in cream of mushroom soup and sour cream until fully incorporated.
4. Layering Technique: Create a base layer of crushed Doritos in the baking dish, then generously spread half the seasoned beef mixture. Sprinkle a robust layer of shredded cheese.
5. Casserole Construction: Repeat layering with remaining Doritos, beef mixture, and cheese, ensuring even distribution and complete coverage.
6. Baking Process: Slide the assembled casserole into the preheated oven, baking for 20-25 minutes until cheese melts into a golden, bubbly surface.
7. Finishing Touch: Rest the casserole for 5 minutes after removing from oven. Embellish with optional garnishes like green onions, jalapeños, cilantro, additional tomatoes, or a sour cream dollop.
8. Serving Suggestion: Dish out immediately while piping hot, savoring the rich, multi-dimensional flavor profile of this hearty casserole.

Notes

• Manage Meat Moisture: Drain ground beef thoroughly after cooking to prevent excess grease, ensuring a crisp casserole texture without soggy layers.
• Customize Cheese Selection: Experiment with cheese varieties like pepper jack, sharp cheddar, or Mexican blend for enhanced flavor complexity and personalized taste profile.
• Control Doritos Crunch: Reserve some crushed Doritos to sprinkle on top during final baking minutes, maintaining chip crispness and preventing soggy bottom layers.
• Dietary Adaptation: Substitute ground beef with turkey or plant-based crumbles, use low-fat cream soup, and choose gluten-free Doritos for healthier or restricted diet versions.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 470
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg