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slow cooker ground beef taco casserole - featured image

Slow Cooker Ground Beef Taco Casserole


  • Author: SOFIA
  • Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x

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
  • 23 cups sturdy tortilla chips, broken in half
  • Optional: Avocado, sour cream, fresh cilantro, jalapeños

Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. Stir in taco seasoning and 1/4 cup water. Simmer for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Transfer the beef mixture to a 6-quart slow cooker. Add black beans, corn, and salsa. Stir to combine.
  4. Scatter cream cheese cubes over the top. Do not stir yet.
  5. Cover and cook on LOW for 3-4 hours (or HIGH for 2 hours) until cream cheese is melted and flavors meld.
  6. Stir in half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Sprinkle tortilla chips on top, then sprinkle remaining cheddar over the chips.
  7. Cover and let sit for 5-10 minutes until cheese melts and chips soften slightly but retain some crunch.
  8. 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