Beef and Bean Taco Casserole (Printable Version)

Layers of beef, beans, chips, and cheese create bold Tex-Mex flavors in every bite.

# What You'll Need:

→ Main Ingredients

01 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
02 - 450 grams ground beef
03 - 1 small onion, chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 28 grams taco seasoning
06 - 1 can (425 grams) black beans, drained and rinsed
07 - 1 can (285 grams) diced tomatoes with green chiles
08 - 1 can (227 grams) tomato sauce
09 - 4 cups (about 100 grams) tortilla chips, lightly crushed
10 - 200 grams shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese

→ Optional Toppings

11 - Sour cream
12 - Sliced green onions
13 - Chopped cilantro
14 - Diced avocado

# Steps To Follow:

01 - Preheat oven to 190°C and lightly grease a 23x33 cm baking dish.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it apart, until browned throughout.
03 - Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the beef. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
04 - Stir in taco seasoning, black beans, diced tomatoes with green chiles, and tomato sauce. Simmer for 5 minutes to blend flavors.
05 - Spread half of the crushed tortilla chips evenly in the prepared baking dish. Top with half the beef mixture and sprinkle 100 grams of shredded cheese. Repeat layers with the remaining chips, beef mixture, and cheese.
06 - Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
07 - Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Top with sour cream, diced avocado, sliced green onions, and chopped cilantro as desired.

# Notes and Tips:

01 - Crushing tortilla chips slightly helps maintain some texture in the finished bake.
02 - A blend of aged cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese provides a balanced melting quality.