Easy Layered Taco Bake
This layered Taco Bake is a simple and quick weeknight meal with layers of tortillas, ground beef and salsa con queso!
A Simple, Taco-Inspired Dinner
One food item I always seem to have in my pantry or in my fridge are flour tortillas. They are good for so many things. Tortillas can be made into so many different types of snacks for kids (and grownups). You can cut them up and fry them or bake them. You can make cinnamon chips, quesadillas, tortilla pizzas. The possibilities are endless and easy on the wallet too.
I’ve made this quite a few times already. It’s fast, delicious and easy clean up. So good! I’m making it again as I type!
– Shauna
Tips For Making Layered Taco Bake
- Flour tortillas work best in this but if you absolutely must have corn tortillas, then you can certainly switch it out.
- Ground turkey and chicken can be substituted for the ground beef.
- Try making your own Taco Seasoning for this recipe!
- If you like this recipe, you should give these Navajo Tacos a try!
- A springform pan makes this easy to remove but an 8-inch round baking pan will work as well.
- This meal is delicious served with Spanish style rice
- If you are very sensitive to spices, you can certainly use a regular cheese dip instead of the salsa con queso.
Ingredients Needed: (See Recipe Card Below For The Full Recipe
- ground beef – you can use ground chicken or turkey as well.
- taco seasoning – grab a store bought packet of seasoning or if you like to control the ingredients, try making a Homemade Taco Seasoning.
- water – you are going to use the amount given on the back of your particular taco seasoning packet. It can vary by brand. If you are using my homemade taco seasoning, I would use 3/4 water.
- flour tortillas (8-inch size) – you could use corn tortillas but they would need to be the larger size. They are a little harder to find near me. Sometimes the packaging will say “Super Size” or “King Size”.
- salsa con queso – this is another ingredient you can grab from the store or make your own.
- shredded Mexican cheese blend – use any cheese you like here. I think Pepper Jack cheese would be great for a little kick of heat.
How To Make Taco Bake
Brown and crumble ground beef. Drain excess grease.
Stir in taco seasoning and water (following directions on back of seasoning packet.) Once the taco meat is ready, turn off heat and add in 1/2 cup salsa con queso. Give it a good stir, until thoroughly combined.
Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Spray an 8-inch round baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Layer the bottom of the pan with a flour tortilla.
I like to use a springform pan just to make it a bit easier to get out after it is finished baking. But this taco bake is pretty easy to slice up and serve even without the springform pan. Now add about 1/3 of the ground beef taco filling on the the first layer.
Then add 1/3 of the shredded cheese.
Continue until you are done with all the layers: another tortilla, more taco mixture, more cheese.
Bake at 350F degrees for about 15-20 minutes. Until cheese is melted and edges are slightly golden brown.
Allow to cool for a couple of minutes. Then slice and serve. I like mine with some sour cream and diced tomatoes on top.
Craving More Recipes?
- Crock Pot White Queso Dip
- Taco Rice
- Taco Bell Mexican Pizza
- Taco Bell Enchiritos
- Taco Bell Chili Cheese Burritos
- Easy White Chicken Enchiladas (For Two)
- Crock Pot Taco Meat
- Crock Pot Taco Soup
- Taco Bubble Up
- Arroz Con Pollo
- White Chicken Enchiladas
- Tamale Pie
- Cornbread Taco Bake
- Taco Potatoes
Originally published: August 2013
Updated photos and republished: January 2022
Easy Layered Taco Bake (+Video)
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- water as called for on back of seasoning packet (usually 3/4 cup water)
- ½ cup salsa con queso (see notes below)
- 3 (8-inch) flour tortillas (usually called 'soft taco' size)
- 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend (divided use)
Instructions
- Brown and crumble 1 pound ground beef. Drain excess grease.
- Add in 1 packet taco seasoning and water as called for on back of seasoning packet (usually 3/4 cup) following directions on back of seasoning packet.
- Once the taco meat is ready, turn off heat and add in 1/2 cup salsa con queso. Give it a good stir until thoroughly combined.
- Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Spray an 8-inch round baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- Layer the bottom of the pan with one of the 3 (8-inch) flour tortillas.
- Now add about 1/3 of the ground beef taco filling on the the first layer.
- Then add 1/3 of the 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend.
- Continue until you are done with all the layers: another tortilla, more taco mixture, more cheese.
- Bake at 350F degrees for about 15-20 minutes until cheese is melted and edges are slightly golden brown.
- Allow to cool for a couple of minutes. Slice and serve. Top with desired toppings.
Video
Notes
- If the salsa con queso is too spicy for you, just use a regular cheese dip.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Just made this and wow, it was so good. I always love trying new recipes, especially ones that are quick and easy. This recipe is both!
I make this all the time. My family loves it. I buy the cheesy taco mix instead of the con queso. I also add re fried beans to the meat mixture to make it a bit more hearty.
I made this last night and it was fabulous! Thank you 😀
Hello, I made this last night and it was fabulous! Living in the UK I didn't have access to a jar of chile con queso and there is no Velveeta like product over here but after some research I found an easy recipe for the cheese sauce. Hubby is taking the one slice left into work for his lunch today. Thank you!
I just made this recipe, but doubled it and made it with ground turkey, and added in black brand and Mexican corn. I can't wait for my husband to get home so we can eat! It looks delicious!
Awesome recipe, I made this 2nite, but used ground chicken, added a can of Rotel and corn
This Taco Bake looks wonderful. Photos are fantastic. This recipe is easy, fast and delicious. Thanks for sharing.
I made this last night for my boyfriend and I for dinner, Its such a simple recipie. I did change it a little by adding some salsa and onions between the layers, and sour cream and lettuce on top which turned out very good. Thanks for a delicious and quick dinner idea, we enjoyed it a lot!
Thanks so much for this recipe! I made it with cheese whiz since the kiddos don't like spice but added a tiny bit of salsa. It was amazing! I also wanted to point out that if you are on a budget or want to stretch out your meat, you can either add a can of refried beans or a can of bean and bacon soup. When I cook this I use 1 lb burger and one can of either mentioned above, it is enough to make 2 dishes with it. Oh, and they freeze well also. 🙂 Thanks again!
I made this for lunch (and my dinner at work). It was so super easy to make!! A very delicious dish. I cut it into 6 slices. One slice was enough, so, of course, I had a second slice. Very filling. Thank you for a delicious taco recipe!!
My daughter was just asking for Tacos the other day. I think I'll surprise her with this. So much easier serving, for me anyway, for a family of five and much less mess!
I made this for dinner last night, and it was delicious! My entire family loved it and insists we add it to our regular dinner rotation. I made the Spanish Rice to go along with it, and we all loved that as well. Thanks you for the delicious recipes!
Just made, minus the queso (I didn't have it), and it was a huge hit with my kids! They want to have it again tomorrow! Oh I also used homemade taco seasoning. Thanks for the super easy recipe. Next time I want to try it with the queso, sounds sooo good!
This recipe is fantastic!
I just made this tonight, and it really was easy, fast, and delicious. It even won over my roommate who has the palate of a 4-year-old.
Definitely a thumbs up.
I just saw this on Pinterest and looks like something my picky kids would eat. They love tacos and taco salad.
I can't eat flour tortillas due to Celiac Disease. Do you think corn tortillas would work?
Just served this and my entire family (including 1 and 4 year old picky eaters) loved it! Thank you for this great recipe that will now enter the usual rotation. I substituted turkey and added canned corn for an extra veg; perfect with a side salad.
Made this tonight and it was wonderful!!!!
Mmm! I just made this with a few substitutions: ground turkey with some dried minced onions, poultry seasoning, and chili powder. I had no taco seasoning, and my heartburn would have been out of control with the original. The outcome was delicious! It was the perfect balance of heat and flavor. It was a little too cheesy for my husband, but the kids (19 months and 4 years old) and I devoured it.
Gina – thank you for leaving me a comment! So happy you liked it!
Mexican food is my favorite so i knew i had to try this! It was sooooo good! Will most definately be making this alot at my house- thanks for sharing!!'
Saw this on Pinterest and am so glad I came across it. I'm fixing this tonight (with Mexican rice & refried beans) for the second time in two weeks. Thanks for posting this…it's definitely going into our rotation! Its even better the next day!!! Thanks again!!!
Amanda! Yay! So glad you liked it!!
Anon. – I would say this serves maybe 4 people (1 serving a piece). It really just depends on how big of a slice everyone wants. It may just feed 2-3 depending on how many servings everyone would want.
how many servings did this make? I want to try tomorrow (just cooking for one) and use my leftover corn tortillas (6") and halve the ingredients and hopefully make two of these, one for leftovers, what do you think?
This looks alot like stacked enchiladas which I absolutely love. Was just wondering could you use shredded chicken instead of ground beef or even better use ground turkey in place of ground beef.
Thank you so much everyone for all the lovely comments!!
Freddy – I don't see why not! 🙂
Any suggestions for substituting something to replace the ground beef for vegetarians?
I’m not a vegetarian, but I’d suggest black beans (pre-cooked) or refried beans. I add beans in with my beef or pork anyways. Or you could add tomatoes, jalapenos, zucchini, and/or whatever veggie strikes your fancy. ☺
How about refried beans or black beans? I've see veggie burgers do maybe something like that? Just a couple of thoughts I'm not vegetarian. But I've use refried beans before when money was tight.
Of course! Use Morningstar meatless crumbles! Yum!
This reminds me of the Mexican Pizza at Taco Bell which I love to eat..yummy…thank you. Janice
Thanks for sharing this at Church Supper, Brandie! I know "my" Alex would love it! Have a blessed week & come back soon ~EMM
Great recipe, Brandie! You can really tap into some creativity with the kids, too. If you've got small,omelet size pans, they could create their own. Thanks for the inspiration.
Can this be made without the queso? I have everything on hand except that!
Made this last night, it was a hit with the family. Great flavor and real easy to make. It's a keeper.
I made this too, following the recipe exactly, and my husband and I just loved it! This is definitely a keeper for my family and friends 🙂
Any and all Tex-mex food, YUM! My kids taught me to be creavtive with tortilla's.
Mmmm, this looks SO GOOD! Thank you for sharing!
ANOTHER AWESOME RECIPE AND YES I AM SHOUTING! So easy to make and this will probably replace tacos in my house. Yum yum!
What a fantastic easy recipe!!! I can't wait to try it…my family will love it.
What a fabulous recipe, this looks absolutely delicious!! 🙂
I saw this yesterday on FB and knew I had everything except the queso already at home. A quick stop at my local market and I was set. Whipped together really quickly and an easy, flavorful meal was on the table in no time. Thank you so much for this, it was a total hit and will become a staple in my house!
Thank you for letting us know how it turned out. There are so many comments like “looks good” or “I have to try this”. I wish those that have t made it yet would wait until they try it to comment so we don’t have to wade through all the unhelpful comments. Or maybe there could be an area I could go to to see just those that have actually made the recipe. Just saying.
I'll be right over! This is definitely my 'cuppa tea'…or tortilla! ;-} I LOVE Mexican – love the ease of making it and the perfect flavors.
Thank you so much for all the lovely comments!! Jen – I really appreciate you coming back to let me know how this recipe turned out for you!! It really makes my day to hear that!
Can't wait to try this! I love recipes like these!
Yummy- looks good!!! barb
It's like a tortilla lasagna!
That looks fantastic. I make a very similar dish and it is always popular at my house.
I can imagine how this tastes just by looking at the images. Yum, excellent job! 🙂
I will be trying this too! It looks fun and delicious!
Yum. That looks like delicious, cheesy goodness!
Mmm, looks delicious! 🙂 I love almost anything baked, why not tacos?
This looks great. I will definitely try this one.
I must try this, it looks good and a easy way to get my girls to like mexican food! Thanks for sharing!! 🙂
Now that baseball season has started for my son and most games are played in or around the dinner hour, this recipe will be perfect for me! I can make this in the morning before I leave for work and throw it in the oven when I get home. You may have just saved a family and a marriage! LOL!
That looks good! I might have to add that on to the menu for next week, along with that meatball sub casserole recipe. Yummo.