Easy Cheesy Mexican Beef & Dorito Casserole
This Cheesy Mexican Beef & Dorito Casserole is pure, unadulterated comfort food joy. It's a little bit nostalgic, a whole lot delicious, and ridiculously easy to pull together, perfect for busy weeknights or potlucks.
Equipment
- Large skillet
- 9x13-inch baking dish
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef lean
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 0.5 cup water
- 1 can (10 oz) Rotel diced tomatoes & green chilies, drained
- 1 can (15 oz) corn drained
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 0.5 cup sour cream full-fat preferred
- 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
- 1 bag (9.75 oz) Nacho Cheese Doritos crushed
- 0.25 cup chopped green onions optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Step 2: Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. Drain off any excess grease.
- Step 3: Stir in taco seasoning and water. Simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Step 4: Add the drained Rotel, drained corn, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and one cup of shredded cheese to the skillet with the beef. Stir until combined and heated through.
- Step 5: Spread about half of the crushed Doritos evenly across the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Step 6: Pour the warm beef and cheese mixture over the Dorito layer in the baking dish and spread evenly.
- Step 7: Sprinkle the remaining crushed Doritos over the beef mixture, then sprinkle the remaining cup of shredded cheese over the top.
- Step 8: Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Step 9: If desired, sprinkle chopped green onions over the top after removing from the oven. Let rest for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
Substitutions & Additions: Try ground turkey or shredded rotisserie chicken. Swap cream of chicken soup for cream of mushroom or cheddar. Add black beans, diced bell peppers, or frozen peas. Spice it up with red pepper flakes or 'Hot' Rotel. Experiment with different chips like Cool Ranch or tortilla chips, though texture may vary.
Tips for Success: Drain ground beef, Rotel, and corn well to avoid a watery casserole. Crush Doritos to a mix of fine crumbs and small pieces for the best texture. Baking uncovered helps prevent the top layer of Doritos from getting soggy.
Prep Ahead: Brown the beef and mix it with the sauce ingredients a day ahead and store in the fridge. Assemble with Doritos and cheese just before baking.
Storage: Cool completely, cover tightly, and refrigerate for 3-4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or larger amounts covered in a 300°F (150°C) oven. Freezing is not recommended as Doritos become very mushy.
Serving Suggestions: Serve with a simple green salad, steamed broccoli, or taco toppings like salsa, guacamole, or extra sour cream.