Name: Mom's Taco Casserole (Doritos Taco Casserole with Ground Beef)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 1 pound lean ground beef; 1/2 cup onion (chopped ); 1 4 ounce can green chiles; 1 1/2 cups water; 1 1 ounce package Taco Seasoning; 1/2 cup green bell pepper (chopped ); 1 1/2 cups Taco Flavored Doritos (coarsely crumbled ); 1 8 ounce package Mexican blend cheese (shredded ); 3 green onions (sliced for serving, optional)

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This is the Taco Casserole that I grew up on. Mom’s Taco Casserole features crushed taco-flavored Doritos layered with savory taco flavor-infused ground beef melted Mexican cheese, and green chilies. Make your next taco night extra special with my Mom’s Doritos Taco Casserole recipe.

This Taco Casserole is one that I remember growing up that my Mom would make from time to time. Of course, as a kid, you put the word “taco” in dinner, then make it with Doritos — you have a winner. In the early days of my marriage, I made this recipe a lot, but for some reason, I had kind of forgotten about it until one day I saw a bag of Taco Doritos in the store and it came back into my mind! I love that even when the other bags of Doritos seem to change, the Taco Flavored ones always keep that same look I remember as a kid.

I have never done much research as to which flavor of the Dorito came out first, but from my recollection, I think it was Taco. This is the flavor I remember eating when I was younger, then the Nacho Cheese ones came out, and those became our favorite. I even use them in another casserole my family loves called Chicken and Doritos Casserole! These days, there are all sorts of flavors, but these Taco ones are what this recipe calls for.

Speaking of Doritos … This Taco Salad right here is one of our favorite recipes!

Taco Casserole Made With Doritos

Salty, savory taco-flavored Doritos chips are crumbled to make the base of this taco casserole. Topped with taco-flavored ground beef, a Mexican cheese blend, and then baked to cheesy perfection, this taco casserole is bound to become a family favorite.

Taco Casserole Bake

This Dorito taco casserole is a real crowd-pleaser, an easy dinner option that’s perfect for potlucks, family celebrations, or when you need to make sure even the picky eaters at your table are happy. Everyone will love adding their favorite toppings so make sure to have a variety on hand.

If you love mom’s taco casserole, you are sure to love these too: Double Decker Tacos, and this Easy Taco Meatloaf.

Easy Taco Casserole

This easy taco bake is perfect if you are looking to meal prep and get a few meals ready to go in the fridge as it keeps well for a few days. Feel free to throw in your favorite veggies, swap the cheese, and prepare it to your liking. That’s the great thing about tacos and taco casseroles, you can easily customize them.

Ingredients for Dorito taco casserole

For complete ingredients and instructions scroll to the bottom of this post for the full printable recipe.

Ground beef: Use lean ground beef to make the taco meat.
Onion: Any type of onion will work in this recipe.
Green chiles: Green chiles add a touch of spice.
Water
Taco Seasoning: A store-bought packet of taco seasoning adds loads of flavor but you can also use homemade taco seasoning.
Green bell pepper: I added a green bell pepper for some color and crunch but you can also use red or yellow bell peppers.
Doritos: Use taco-flavored Doritos for the added taco flavoring.
Mexican blend cheese: Pick up pre-shredded cheese to save yourself time if need be, but grating your own is always the best option. You can also use cheddar cheese or pepper jack cheese in this casserole.
Green onions: Chopped green onions add more flavor and color, for serving, if desired.
Toppings: Top with your favorite taco toppings like sour cream or avocados.

Be sure to keep reading to find tips and tricks, substitutions, and answers to questions you may have about this taco casserole.

How to make this taco casserole recipe

There are just a few steps to making this taco casserole with Doritos.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9×9 casserole dish with non-stick spray.

Brown ground beef with onion over medium heat, when it’s almost done, add the can of green chiles. Finish browning. Drain any excess grease from the meat mixture. Add in taco seasoning and water, and simmer. Stir in chopped bell pepper.

Add crushed Doritos to the bottom of the baking dish, and spread evenly. Top with meat mixture.

Add shredded cheese.

Bake for 20 minutes or until heated through and the cheese is nice and bubbly. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat in the microwave or oven.

Love it? Pin it!

If you love this taco casserole dish with ground beef, make sure that you don’t lose it! Pin it to your favorite Pinterest recipe board before you go!

FAQs about this Dorito casserole recipe

What can I use instead of Doritos in this taco casserole? If you don’t have Doritos you can use any type of corn chip, crushed.
Can I make this Doritos taco casserole ahead of time? Yes, you can easily prepare the casserole a few days before you want to serve it and then reheat it.
Can I use a different type of meat to make this taco casserole? Yes, you can use any type of meat you like. You can also use vegetarian ground beef to make this taco casserole.

Substitutions

Remember that when it comes to making substitutions in recipes, you don’t need to be afraid to get creative and use ingredients that suit your personal taste and dietary preferences. Make it your own!

Substitute the Taco Doritos with your favorite Doritos flavor.
Instead of ground beef use ground chicken or ground turkey.
Make a vegetarian taco casserole and use black beans, pinto beans, or a layer of refried beans.

Tips & Tricks

Empty the bag of Doritos into the food processor to process it into fine crumbs if you prefer it that way. I like mine more about the size of a dime.
For an even cheesier and creamy Mexican casserole, add cream cheese to the ground beef mixture.
For a touch of natural saltiness sprinkle this easy Dorito casserole with black olives.

More Recipes to Love Next Time

If you like Mexican food, I’ve got you covered; start your meal with this Mexican style leftover turkey soup and this Mexican bean dip. Then choose between these Easy Ground Beef Enchiladas or these Crockpot Shredded Beef Burritos followed by these Mexican Brownies, polish it all off with one of my Margarita Recipes; Traditional, Blueberry, Strawberry, Pineapple or Apple Cider!

This easy casserole makes the perfect family dinner, a great alternative for your next Taco Tuesday!

Doritos Taco Casserole on a plate with lime wedges.

4.75 from 35 votes

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