Description
This hearty, layered casserole combines seasoned ground beef, crunchy Doritos and melted cheese into a single skillet bake that screams comfort food. It’s an effortless weeknight dinner that captures all the flavors of a taco night with virtually no cleanup.
Ingredients
1 pound lean ground beef
½ cup diced onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 packet (1 ounce) taco seasoning
⅔ cup water
2 cups crushed nacho cheese Doritos (about half a standard bag)
1½ cups shredded Mexican-style blend cheese
½ cup diced tomatoes (canned or fresh)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
Sour cream, sliced jalapeños or diced avocado for serving (optional)
Instructions
Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In an ovenproof skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef along with the diced onion until the beef is no longer pink and the onion is soft. Stir in the minced garlic and cook until fragrant. Pour in the taco seasoning and water, stirring to coat the meat and bring to a simmer. Cook until most of the liquid has evaporated.
Remove the skillet from heat and gently fold in the crushed Doritos, allowing some chips to remain intact for texture. Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top, followed by the diced tomatoes. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly, about twenty minutes.
Take the casserole out of the oven and let it rest for five minutes so it firms up slightly. Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired and serve hot with sour cream, jalapeños or avocado on the side.
Notes
For extra depth of flavor, swap half of the meat for chorizo or add a spoonful of chipotle in adobo to the meat mixture. If you prefer a thicker bake, stir one tablespoon of tomato paste into the taco meat before layering in the chips. Leftover casserole can be reheated in the oven at 325°F for ten minutes or in the microwave with a splash of water to restore creaminess.