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Spicy Beef Taco Bake
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The spicy beef taco bake is essentially a Taco Tuesday casserole. Beef and onions are sautéed and then mixed with tomatoes, beans, cheese, broken taco shells, and spices, and then the whole shebang is baked until bubbly. Utterly irresistible.
Taco bake casserole. That’s essentially how we think of this easy, cheesy, crunchy, spicy beef taco bake. You’re welcome.–David Leite
Spicy Beef Taco Bake FAQs
What is Jack cheese?
Monterey Jack cheese, the base for all the other Jack cheeses, is a semi-firm, creamy, mild-flavored cheese made from cow’s milk that’s aged for a short period. The derivatives, which include pepper Jack, Colby Jack, and Cheddar Jack are a mixture of Monterey Jack, other cheeses, and flavorings. Jack cheeses have fairly mild flavors and superb meltability, making them great for recipes like this.
Why do I need to put the casserole in the fridge before cooking?
Not only does it give you the opportunity to have dinner made in advance, but letting the prepared casserole rest enriches the flavors. A little time is all it takes to let the ingredients meld and the spices mature, giving the whole thing a little more oomph. Don’t fear if you can’t wait that long, however. A few of our testers baked it up within hours of making it and still agreed that it was delish.
I can’t find Ro-Tel Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies. What should I use?
If you can’t find Ro-tel Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies, substitute a 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes, drained, and one 4-ounce can of chopped green chiles, drained, reserving 6 tablespoons of the tomato juice and 2 tablespoons of the chile juice.
What should I serve with this taco bake casserole?
This really needs nothing more than the suggested toppings of shredded lettuce, sour cream, onions, and salsa, but if you’d like to make it a heartier meal, serve a green salad and some rice alongside.
Will the tortilla chips get soggy if I reheat leftovers?
Nope! Our testers found that this taco casserole reheated well in the oven or microwave, and the tortilla chips stayed crispy.
Spicy Beef Taco Bake
The spicy beef taco bake is essentially a Taco Tuesday casserole. Beef and onions are sautéed and then mixed with tomatoes, beans, cheese, broken taco shells, and spices, and then the whole shebang is baked until bubbly. Utterly irresistible.
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Heat oil in 12-inch skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add the onion and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook until the onion has softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the chili powder, garlic, and oregano and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until no trace of pinks, 3 to 5 minutes.
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Stir in half the tomatoes, the reserved tomato juice, vinegar, and sugar. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook until the mixture is very thick, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from the heat and let cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes.
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Mix the remaining tomatoes, refried beans, and cilantro together, then spread in a 13 by 9-inch baking dish. Sprinkle 1/2 cup Colby Jack over the beans. Spread the cooled beef mixture on the cheese and sprinkle with another 1/2 cup Colby Jack. Wrap the dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
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Adjust the oven rack to the middle position and heat the oven to 400℉ (205℃).
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Unwrap the dish, scatter the crushed taco shells over the top, and sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup Colby Jack. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil slicked with oil and bake the casserole until hot throughout and bubbling around the edges, about 25 minutes. Remove the foil and continue to bake until the topping is spotty brown, about 10 minutes.
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Let cool for 10 minutes. Sprinkle with scallions and serve.
Serving: 1portionCalories: 415kcal (21%)Carbohydrates: 20g (7%)Protein: 34g (68%)Fat: 22g (34%)Saturated Fat: 10g (63%)Polyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 95mg (32%)Sodium: 352mg (15%)Potassium: 581mg (17%)Fiber: 4g (17%)Sugar: 2g (2%)Vitamin A: 1481IU (30%)Vitamin C: 2mg (2%)Calcium: 276mg (28%)Iron: 4mg (22%)
If you make this recipe, snap a photo and hashtag it #LeitesCulinaria. We’d love to see your creations on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
Recipe Testers’ Reviews
Originally published April 18, 2018
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