Layered Taco Bake

If you're craving the bold flavors of tacos but want something warm, cheesy, and baked in the oven, a layered taco bake is the ideal dish to serve. Imagine it as a comforting casserole that layers all your favorite taco ingredients—seasoned beef, beans, tortillas, gooey cheese, and zesty toppings—into one satisfying, crowd-pleasing meal. It's easy enough for a weeknight dinner yet impressive enough to bring to a potluck or family gathering. The beauty of this recipe is its adaptability: you can customize the layers with chicken, veggies, or even a spicy kick, making it a dish that everyone will enjoy.

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef

1 onion, chopped

salt & pepper

2 cups salsa

1 can black beans

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 teaspoon oregano

1 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon garlic powder

6 medium sized flour tortillas

1 cup sour cream

1 (4oz) can green chilies

2 1/2 cups shredded cheese

fresh veggies to top: avocado, lettuce, tomatoes and green onions

Directions:

Brown beef and onions in a large frying pan set over medium heat, adding salt and pepper to taste.

Rinse and drain the beans.

Stir in salsa, beans and spices. Heat through.

Mix sour cream and green chilies together.

Grease either two 8-inch cake pans or one 9x13-inch cake pan with cooking spray.

Lay a tortilla at the base of each pan.

I cut the tortilla into 1/4 pieces.

Distribute one-third of the beef mixture equally between the pans and spread it over the tortillas

Add one-third of the sour cream mixture, divided, and sprinkle with shredded cheese on top.

Repeat layers two more times.

Cover both with foil. Place one in the freezer and bake the other at 400ºF for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10 min. Let cool 5 min. before serving.

* For baking from frozen: Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Take the frozen Taco Bake out of the freezer and put it directly into the oven. Bake it covered for 1 hour. Then, remove the foil and continue baking for another 20-25 minutes until fully heated.