Description
A hearty, cheesy, and easy weeknight dinner that requires zero active cooking time. This slow cooker casserole combines ground beef, beans, salsa, and cream cheese for a flavorful meal that feeds a crowd.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20 fat ratio)
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 packet taco seasoning (1 oz)
- 1.5 cups salsa (chunky preferred)
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn (frozen or canned)
- 8 oz cream cheese, cut into cubes
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2–3 cups sturdy tortilla chips, broken in half
- Optional: Avocado, sour cream, fresh cilantro, jalapeños
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and diced onion, breaking up the beef with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned and onion is soft (5-7 minutes). Drain excess grease.
- Stir in taco seasoning and 1/4 cup water. Simmer for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Transfer the beef mixture to a 6-quart slow cooker. Add black beans, corn, and salsa. Stir to combine.
- Scatter cream cheese cubes over the top. Do not stir yet.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 3-4 hours (or HIGH for 2 hours) until cream cheese is melted and flavors meld.
- Stir in half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Sprinkle tortilla chips on top, then sprinkle remaining cheddar over the chips.
- Cover and let sit for 5-10 minutes until cheese melts and chips soften slightly but retain some crunch.
- Serve immediately topped with optional garnishes like sour cream, avocado, and cilantro.
Notes
Do not skip browning the beef for better flavor. Use sturdy, restaurant-style tortilla chips to prevent them from turning to mush. For a vegetarian version, swap beef for extra beans and sautéed mushrooms. This recipe does not freeze well due to the dairy and chips.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3-4 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 800
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 25
Keywords: slow cooker, ground beef, taco casserole, weeknight dinner, easy recipe, comfort food, cheesy, family dinner