Description
A hands-off, crowd-pleasing taco bake casserole made in the slow cooker, featuring layered tortillas, juicy meat, and gooey cheese, perfect for feeding a large group.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.2 kg (2.5 lb) ground beef
- 225 g (1 large) yellow onion, diced
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tbsp (about 30 g) taco seasoning
- 400 g (14 oz) canned diced tomatoes with green chiles
- 420 g (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 240 g (1 cup) corn kernels (frozen or fresh)
- 240 ml (1 cup) beef broth
- 60 g (2 tbsp) tomato paste
- 30 ml (2 tbsp) fresh lime juice
- 14–16 small corn tortillas
- 400 g (3½ cups) shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional toppings: sour cream, sliced green onions, chopped cilantro, diced avocado, lime wedges
Instructions
- Brown the meat and sweat aromatics: Heat 15 ml (1 tbsp) oil in a skillet, add beef and cook until mostly browned. Add onion and cook until translucent. Add garlic and cook until fragrant. Drain excess fat.
- Combine the filling: Stir in tomato paste, diced tomatoes, beef broth, black beans, corn, lime juice, and taco seasoning. Simmer for 2–3 minutes to meld flavors. Adjust salt to taste.
- Layer in the slow cooker: Lightly grease the slow cooker. Place a single layer of tortillas, spoon one-third of the meat mixture over, and sprinkle cheese. Repeat layers, ending with tortillas on top.
- Slow-cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 4–5 hours, or HIGH for 2–3 hours until bubbly and center reaches 74°C (165°F).
- Finish with cheese: 20–30 minutes before serving, sprinkle the remaining cheese on top, recover, and cook until melted. For a browned top, transfer to a preheated oven at 200°C (400°F) for 5–7 minutes.
- Serve and garnish: Cut into wedges or serve in bowls, topped with optional garnishes.
Notes
Avoid overloading with liquid to prevent sogginess. Can prepare a day in advance by assembling and refrigerating.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 240 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 heaping cup
- Calories: 560
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 95mg