Description
Crispy roasted potatoes topped with seasoned ground beef, melty cheese, and all your favorite taco fixings. This family-friendly Tex-Mex casserole is budget-friendly, full of flavor, and perfect for a satisfying main course.
Ingredients
Potatoes
- 4 medium russet potatoes (or 6–8 small), diced into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Beef Mixture
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade blend)
- 1/4 cup water
Cheese and Toppings
- 2 cups shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- Optional toppings: sour cream, salsa, guacamole, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, jalapeños, green onions, cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Potatoes: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Toss the diced potatoes with olive oil, chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated. Spread them in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
- Roast Potatoes: Roast the potatoes in the oven for 25–30 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time to ensure even crisping and golden edges.
- Cook Ground Beef: While the potatoes roast, heat a skillet over medium-high heat and brown the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Once cooked through, drain any excess fat to keep the dish flavorful but not greasy.
- Season Beef: Stir in the taco seasoning and 1/4 cup water into the browned beef. Let it simmer for 2–3 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the meat well.
- Assemble the Casserole: Remove the roasted potatoes from the oven. Sprinkle half of the shredded cheese evenly over the potatoes. Layer the seasoned beef evenly over the cheese, then sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
- Melt Cheese: Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbling.
- Serve: Remove from oven and serve hot with your favorite taco toppings such as sour cream, salsa, guacamole, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, jalapeños, green onions, and cilantro for a delicious and satisfying meal.
Notes
- You can swap ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- For a shortcut, substitute diced potatoes with tater tots or hash browns.
- A skillet version is possible by cooking seasoned potatoes in a large cast iron pan, topping with cheese and beef, then melting the cheese under the broiler.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Casserole
- Method: Oven-Baked
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex, American
