Cheesy Beef and Sweet Potato Taco Casserole Recipe

Cheesy Beef and Sweet Potato Taco Casserole Recipe

This Cheesy Beef and Sweet Potato Taco Casserole is a hearty and cheesy recipe, which is made with seasoned ground beef, sweet potatoes, and layers of crunchy tortilla chips. It’s the ultimate comfort food, a crowd-pleasing, all-in-one meal perfect for a family dinner.

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Cheesy Beef and Sweet Potato Taco Casserole Ingredients

A classic Tex-Mex combination for a satisfying and flavorful bake.

  • 2 Medium-large Sweet Potatoes, peeled
  • 1 lb. Lean Ground Beef
  • 1 Large Onion, Diced
  • 3 cloves Garlic, Minced
  • 1 Large Red Bell Pepper, Diced
  • 1 cup Frozen Corn Kernels
  • 1 can (15 Oz.) Black Beans, Rinsed and Drained
  • 1 can (14.5 Oz.) Diced Fire-roasted Tomatoes, undrained
  • 2 cups Chunky Salsa
  • 2 tsp. Chili Powder
  • 2 tsp. Ground Cumin
  • 1 tsp. Smoked Paprika
  • 1 tsp. Dried Mexican Oregano
  • 1/4 tsp. Cayenne Pepper
  • Kosher Salt and Black Pepper, to taste
  • Thick Corn Tortilla Chips, as needed
  • 8 oz. Shredded Mexican Cheese Blend
  • 4 oz. Shredded Pepper Jack Cheese

For Serving (optional):

  • Sliced Green Onion and Chopped Cilantro
  • Salsa, Guacamole, Sour Cream

How To Make Cheesy Beef and Sweet Potato Taco Casserole

A step-by-step guide to this easy, layered, one-dish dinner.

  1. Prep Oven and Sweet Potatoes: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish. Peel the sweet potatoes and either spiralize them (chopping the long strands) or dice them into small cubes.
  2. Make the Beef and Vegetable Filling: In an extra-large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef with the diced onion. When the beef is almost cooked through, stir in the garlic and cook for 2 more minutes. Stir in the red pepper, corn, and the prepared sweet potato.
  3. Simmer the Filling: Add the black beans, undrained tomatoes, salsa, and all the spices (chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, cayenne, salt, pepper) to the skillet. Reduce the heat to medium and cook for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sweet potato has softened.
  4. Layer the Casserole: Spread 2 cups of the beef and sweet potato mixture in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Top with a layer of slightly overlapping tortilla chips. Spoon half of the remaining beef mixture over the chips, then sprinkle with half of the Mexican cheese blend and half of the pepper jack cheese.
  5. Finish Layering and Bake: Add another layer of tortilla chips, followed by the rest of the beef mixture, and finally the remaining cheeses.
  6. Bake and Serve: Cover the pan loosely with foil and bake for about 30 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the casserole is hot throughout. Remove the foil, place the pan under the broiler, and broil for a minute or two until the cheese is browned and bubbly. Let it rest for a few minutes, then top with green onion and cilantro and serve with your favorite taco toppings.
Cheesy Beef and Sweet Potato Taco Casserole Recipe
Cheesy Beef and Sweet Potato Taco Casserole Recipe

Recipe Tips

For the most delicious and perfectly baked taco casserole.

  • How do I keep the tortilla chips from getting soggy? Layering is key. The initial layer of the beef mixture on the bottom protects the first layer of chips from getting too soft. Using thick, sturdy corn tortilla chips also helps them hold their texture. The top layer of chips under the cheese will get nice and crispy.
  • Can I make this ahead of time? Yes, this is a great make-ahead meal. You can prepare the beef and sweet potato filling completely and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to eat, simply assemble the layers in the baking dish and bake.
  • Can I use a different kind of meat? Absolutely. Lean ground turkey or ground chicken would be a great, lighter substitute for the ground beef. You could also use shredded rotisserie chicken.
  • What if I don’t have a spiralizer? No problem! Simply dicing the sweet potato into small, uniform cubes works perfectly. You will just need to simmer the filling for a little longer to ensure the sweet potato cubes are tender before assembling the casserole.

What To Serve With Taco Casserole

This all-in-one dish is a complete meal, but toppings are a must!

This hearty casserole has all the food groups covered. It’s fantastic served with all your favorite taco fixings:

  • A big dollop of sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
  • A scoop of fresh guacamole or sliced avocado
  • Your favorite salsa or pico de gallo
  • A simple side salad with a lime vinaigrette

How To Store Cheesy Beef and Sweet Potato Taco Casserole

This casserole makes for fantastic leftovers.

  • Refrigerate: Store any leftovers, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  • Reheat: For the best results, reheat individual portions in the microwave. The tortilla chips inside will be soft, but the flavor will still be delicious.

Cheesy Beef and Sweet Potato Taco Casserole Nutrition Facts

An estimated guide per serving.

  • Calories: 550 kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 50 g
  • Protein: 30 g
  • Fat: 28 g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Is this casserole very spicy?

The 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper and the pepper jack cheese provide a mild to medium level of heat. You can easily adjust the spice level by using more or less cayenne, or by using all Mexican blend cheese instead of pepper jack for a milder version.

Can I make this vegetarian?

Yes, this is easily adapted to be a vegetarian meal. Simply omit the ground beef and add an extra can of black or pinto beans, or some sautéed mushrooms to the filling for a hearty, plant-based version. Be sure to use a vegetable broth if your salsa is not liquid enough.

Do I need to drain the fire-roasted tomatoes?

No, do not drain them. The liquid from the can of tomatoes is an important component of the sauce for the filling, helping everything to meld together and keeping the casserole moist.

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Cheesy Beef and Sweet Potato Taco Casserole Recipe

Recipe by MarryCourse: DinnerCuisine: Tex-MexDifficulty: Easy
Servings

10

servings
Prep time

20

minutes
Cooking time

50

minutes
Calories

550

kcal

A hearty and cheesy one-dish meal with all the flavors of your favorite tacos, featuring layers of a savory ground beef and sweet potato filling, crunchy tortilla chips, and a bubbly, melted cheese topping.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. lean ground beef

  • 2 medium-large sweet potatoes, peeled and spiralized or diced

  • 1 large onion & 3 cloves garlic, diced/minced

  • 1 can black beans, 1 can fire-roasted tomatoes, 1 cup frozen corn

  • 2 cups chunky salsa

  • 2 tsp chili powder, 2 tsp cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika

  • Thick corn tortilla chips

  • 8 oz. Mexican cheese blend & 4 oz. pepper jack cheese, shredded

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13-inch dish.
  • In a large skillet, brown the ground beef with the onion and garlic.
  • Stir in the bell pepper, corn, and sweet potato. Then add the beans, undrained tomatoes, salsa, and all spices. Simmer for about 15 minutes, until the sweet potato is tender.
  • Spread 2 cups of the beef mixture in the prepared dish. Top with a layer of tortilla chips.
  • Layer with half the remaining beef mixture and half the cheeses. Repeat with another layer of chips, the final beef mixture, and the remaining cheeses.
  • Cover loosely with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
  • Uncover and broil for 1-2 minutes until the cheese is browned and bubbly.
  • Let rest for a few minutes, then garnish and serve with your favorite taco toppings.

Notes

  • Spiralizing the sweet potato helps it cook very quickly in the filling. If you dice it, ensure the cubes are small and cook until tender.
  • Using thick, restaurant-style tortilla chips will help them hold their texture better within the casserole.
  • The beef and vegetable filling can be made up to 3 days in advance, making for a quick assembly on a busy night.
  • Don’t be shy with the toppings! Sour cream, guacamole, and extra salsa elevate this casserole to the next level.

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