Budget-Friendly Cheesy Taco Casserole Recipe: The Perfect Weeknight Meal

A plate of cheesy taco casserole topped with sliced jalapeños, beans, corn, and melted cheese, served with a lime wedge and fresh cilantro for a budget-friendly and flavorful weeknight meal.

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If you’re looking for a quick, affordable, and tasty weeknight meal, you’ll love this cheesy taco casserole. With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up a satisfying dinner that’s perfect for feeding the whole family without breaking the bank. It’s a great way to use ingredients you likely already have in your pantry, making it an excellent option for those who are meal prepping or working on a budget.

This easy taco casserole recipe brings all the delicious flavors of tacos into a simple, layered bake that’s sure to become a family favorite. Packed with ground beef, black beans, corn, and a layer of gooey cheese, it’s comfort food at its finest. Plus, it’s versatile and can be customized based on what you have available.

A close-up of a cheesy taco casserole featuring layers of ground beef, corn, tortillas, and melted cheese, perfect for a budget-friendly, family-friendly weeknight meal.

Why You’ll Love It

  1. Budget-Friendly Dinner Idea: This recipe uses affordable ingredients like ground beef, canned beans, and tortillas, which are easy to find at any grocery store.
  2. Family-Friendly: It’s perfect for picky eaters, as the layers of cheesy goodness will keep everyone happy.
  3. Quick and Easy: Ready in about 30 minutes, this casserole is great for busy weeknights when you don’t have a lot of time to cook.
  4. Meal Prep Friendly: It’s freezer-friendly and reheats well, so it’s perfect for those who like to prepare meals in advance.

Now, let’s get started!

Ingredients for a budget-friendly cheesy taco casserole, including ground meat, tortillas, corn, kidney beans, cheese, red onion, taco seasoning, salsa, and oregano, perfect for an easy and affordable weeknight meal.

Ingredients for Your Taco Casserole

To make this easy taco casserole, you’ll need just a few ingredients. Feel free to make adjustments based on what you have on hand:

  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ finely chopped onion
  • 3 teaspoons taco seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 2 cups tomato salsa
  • 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup cooked corn
  • 4 tortillas, cut in half to fit the casserole dish
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Step-by-step process of preparing a budget-friendly cheesy taco casserole, showing ground beef mixed with onions, taco seasoning, salsa, corn, and black beans, layered with tortillas for a quick weeknight meal.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s ready for baking once your ingredients are prepared.
  2. Cook the Ground Beef: In a large skillet, cook the ground beef with chopped onion, garlic, and oregano over medium-high heat. Break up the meat with a spatula and stir until the beef is browned and the onions are softened.
  3. Add Seasoning and Salsa: Once the beef is cooked, stir in the taco seasoning and salsa. Let the mixture simmer for a few minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. This will enhance the flavors and give the casserole a nice texture.
  4. Mix in Black Beans and Corn: Add the black beans and corn to the meat mixture. Stir everything together until it’s well combined and evenly distributed.
  5. Layer the Casserole: In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, start by placing a layer of tortillas on the bottom. Spoon half of the beef mixture on top, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle one cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the meat. Repeat the layers, finishing with the remaining cheese on top.
  6. Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  7. Serve: Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing. Serve your cheesy taco casserole with your favorite toppings like sour cream, guacamole, or fresh cilantro.
A serving of cheesy taco casserole topped with sliced jalapeños and fresh cilantro, showcasing layers of ground beef, corn, and melted cheese, ideal for a budget-friendly and family-friendly weeknight meal.

How to Make It Even More Budget-Friendly

This ground beef casserole is already quite affordable, but there are a few ways to make it even cheaper without sacrificing flavor:

  • Swap the Ground Beef: Ground beef is a classic, but you can also use ground turkey or chicken, which can sometimes be more affordable.
  • Use Leftover Ingredients: If you have leftover rotisserie chicken or extra cooked rice, toss it in! You can make the recipe go further by adding extra layers or bulking it up with inexpensive ingredients.
  • Homemade Taco Seasoning: If you don’t have taco seasoning on hand, make your own! Use a mix of chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.

Perfect for Meal Prepping

One of the best parts about this easy weeknight meal is how well it stores. If you’re into meal prep, this taco casserole is a lifesaver:

  • Refrigerating: If you plan to eat it throughout the week, store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat individual servings in the microwave or oven.
  • Freezing: Want to save some for later? This dish freezes well! After baking, allow the casserole to cool completely. Wrap individual portions in foil or plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. When you’re ready to eat, reheat from frozen or thaw overnight in the fridge.
A plate of cheesy taco casserole topped with sliced jalapeños, beans, corn, and melted cheese, served with a lime wedge and fresh cilantro for a budget-friendly and flavorful weeknight meal.

Tasty Variations

While the base of this Mexican casserole recipe is delicious as is, you can easily customize it to your liking:

  • Vegetarian Taco Casserole: Skip the ground beef and add more beans or roasted veggies like bell peppers and zucchini.
  • Spice it Up: If you like things spicy, add some chopped jalapeños to the meat mixture or use a spicy salsa.
  • Low-Carb Option: To make a low-carb taco casserole, simply omit the tortillas and layer the ingredients directly in the baking dish. You can add extra veggies like cauliflower rice or chopped bell peppers for more substance.

Serve With These Simple Sides

This cheesy taco bake is filling on its own, but if you want to round out the meal, serve it with a simple side dish:

  • A fresh green salad with avocado and lime dressing
  • Mexican rice or cilantro-lime rice
  • Chips and homemade salsa or guacamole

Final Thoughts

This quick weeknight meal is perfect for anyone who needs something simple yet satisfying. It’s packed with flavor, budget-friendly, and sure to become a regular in your meal rotation. So whether you’re cooking for a family, meal prepping, or just want something delicious on the table in under 30 minutes, give this cheesy taco casserole a try.

Don’t forget to print the recipe and pin it for later so you can easily find it when you need a go-to dinner idea. Let us know how it turns out, and feel free to share your favorite toppings or variations! Enjoy!

Yield: 8 servings

Taco Casserole

A plate of cheesy taco casserole topped with sliced jalapeños, beans, corn, and melted cheese, served with a lime wedge and fresh cilantro for a budget-friendly and flavorful weeknight meal.

This Cheesy Taco Casserole is a perfect budget-friendly meal for busy weeknights. Made with simple ingredients like ground beef, black beans, corn, and salsa, it's layered with tortillas and topped with melted cheddar cheese for a comforting, flavorful dish.

Ready in just 35 minutes, this easy taco casserole is great for family dinners, meal prepping, or even freezer meals. It's a quick, affordable, and delicious option everyone will love!

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • ½ finely chopped onion
  • 3 teaspoons taco seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 2 cups tomato salsa
  • 1 can black beans
  • 1 cup cooked corn
  • 4 tortillas - cut in half or to fit the casserole
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  2. In a large pan, cook the beef with onion, garlic and oregano over medium-high heat until beef is browned.
  3. Add the taco seasoning and tomato salsa. Stir and cook until thickened.
  4. Add the black beans and corn. Mix it up until well combined.
  5. Place the tortillas in the bottom of your prepared baking dish and then layer the meat mixer from the skillet over the tortillas.
  6. Top the ingredients with 1 cup of cheese and repeat the layers, finishing with the remaining cheese.
  7. Bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes until fully cooked and the cheese is melted. Slice and serve.

Notes

Make it spicier: Add diced jalapeños or a spicier salsa for an extra kick.

Tortilla options: Use flour or corn tortillas, depending on your preference. You can also use gluten-free tortillas to make this a gluten-free recipe.

Cheese options: Swap cheddar for a Mexican blend, pepper jack, or Monterey Jack for a different flavor.

Make it vegetarian: Replace the ground beef with extra beans, roasted vegetables, or a meat substitute.

Freezer-friendly: This casserole freezes well. Allow it to cool completely, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave.

Serving suggestions: Serve with toppings like sour cream, guacamole, fresh cilantro, or chopped green onions for added flavor.

Bulk it up: Add cooked rice or extra vegetables like bell peppers to stretch the meal further.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 461Total Fat: 21gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 87mgSodium: 1174mgCarbohydrates: 36gFiber: 7gSugar: 4gProtein: 33g

These nutritional calculations might not be accurate. Please speak with a licensed nutritionist to assist you.