Doritos Casserole Recipe

Introduction

This Doritos Casserole is a comforting and flavorful dish that combines seasoned ground beef, beans, melted cheese, and crunchy Doritos for a fun twist on a classic casserole. It’s quick to prepare and perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.

The image shows a close-up of a cheesy, layered casserole being served with a spatula. The top layer is bright orange melted cheese mixed with crunchy yellow corn chips, sprinkled with small pieces of green onion. Below that is a mix of cooked ground meat and soft diced tomatoes in a creamy sauce, with some beans visible in the middle. The base layer is made up of more corn chips mixed with bits of meat and cheese. The casserole sits in a clear dish on a white marbled surface, and some melted cheese stretches as the portion is lifted. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • ½ cup onion, diced
  • 1 ounce taco seasoning
  • 1 (10 ounce) can Rotel tomatoes with green chilis
  • 1 (16 ounce) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 1 (16 ounce) shredded colby jack cheese
  • 1 (16 ounce) bag Doritos Nacho Cheese chips

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a 9 x 13 casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray.
  2. Step 2: Cook the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it up with a spatula until browned. Drain any excess grease.
  3. Step 3: Stir in the diced onions and red bell peppers. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until they soften.
  4. Step 4: Add the taco seasoning and the can of Rotel tomatoes with green chilis. Cook for another 2 to 3 minutes to blend the flavors.
  5. Step 5: Stir in the drained pinto beans and sour cream. Remove the skillet from the heat.
  6. Step 6: Break the Doritos chips into smaller pieces, taking care not to crush them too finely.
  7. Step 7: Spread one-third of the broken Doritos evenly over the bottom of the prepared casserole dish. Layer half of the beef mixture on top, then sprinkle with one-third of the shredded cheese.
  8. Step 8: Add another one-third of the Doritos over the cheese, top with the remaining beef mixture, and then sprinkle with another one-third of the cheese. Finish with the remaining chips and cheese.
  9. Step 9: Cover the casserole with foil and bake for 25 minutes until heated through and cheese is melted.
  10. Step 10: Optional: add extra toppings such as diced green onions for added freshness and crunch.
  11. Step 11: Serve warm and enjoy your cheesy, crunchy Doritos casserole.

Tips & Variations

  • For extra spice, add a diced jalapeño when cooking the peppers and onions.
  • Swap the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
  • Use a mix of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese instead of colby jack for a different flavor.
  • Try adding corn or black beans for added texture and flavor variety.
  • If you prefer less crunchy chips, add them just before serving instead of baking.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave until hot, or warm the entire casserole in a 350 degrees F oven covered with foil for about 15-20 minutes. To keep chips crispy when reheating, add fresh chips on top after warming.

How to Serve

A glass baking dish holds a layered hot dish starting with a bottom layer of cooked ground meat mixed with light brown beans, topped with orange, crispy corn chips scattered unevenly over the meat layer. Melted yellow and white cheese covers the chips, adding a gooey texture that blends with the crunchy chips. Small pieces of bright green chopped scallions are sprinkled on top, adding fresh color contrasts. The dish sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the casserole a few hours in advance and keep it covered in the refrigerator. Add the chips just before baking to prevent them from getting soggy.

What can I use instead of Doritos if I want a healthier option?

You can substitute baked tortilla chips or whole grain corn chips for a lighter alternative, though the flavor and crunch will be slightly different.

Print

Doritos Casserole Recipe

This Doritos Casserole is a flavorful and comforting baked dish combining seasoned ground beef, beans, and cheese layered with crunchy Doritos chips. Perfect for a family dinner or game day, it offers a delicious twist on traditional casseroles with spicy Rotel tomatoes and a cheesy, crunchy topping.

  • Author: Sana
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
  • Category: Casserole
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • ½ cup onion, diced
  • 1 ounce taco seasoning
  • 1 (10 ounce) can Rotel tomatoes with green chilis
  • 1 (16 ounce) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 1 (16 ounce) bag Doritos Nacho Cheese chips

Dairy

  • 1 (16 ounce) shredded colby jack cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat and prepare dish: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a 9 x 13 casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
  2. Cook the ground beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, breaking it up with a spatula, until browned. Drain any excess grease to keep the dish from becoming too oily.
  3. Sauté vegetables: Add the diced onions and diced red bell peppers to the skillet with the beef. Cook for 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  4. Add seasoning and tomatoes: Stir in the taco seasoning and the can of Rotel tomatoes with green chilis, cooking for another 2-3 minutes to blend the flavors.
  5. Mix beans and sour cream: Add the drained pinto beans and sour cream to the skillet mixture, stirring well. Remove the skillet from the heat once combined.
  6. Prepare the chips: Break the Doritos chips into medium-sized pieces; avoid crushing them too finely to preserve texture.
  7. Layer the casserole – first layer: Spread one-third of the broken Doritos chips evenly on the bottom of the casserole dish. Then top with half of the ground beef mixture followed by one-third of the shredded Colby Jack cheese.
  8. Layer the casserole – second and third layers: Add the next one-third of the Doritos chips over the cheese, then top with the remaining ground beef mixture and another one-third of the cheese. Finally, spread the remaining Doritos chips and shredded cheese evenly on top.
  9. Bake the casserole: Cover the dish with foil to keep moisture in and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
  10. Add toppings and serve: Optionally garnish with extra toppings like diced green onions. Serve warm for the best taste.

Notes

  • For extra crunch, remove the foil during the last 5 minutes of baking.
  • You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for beef to lighten the dish.
  • If you prefer less spice, use mild Rotel tomatoes or omit the canned tomatoes and add fresh diced tomatoes instead.
  • This casserole can be prepared a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator before baking.
  • Leftovers reheat well in the microwave or oven.

Keywords: Doritos casserole, ground beef casserole, taco casserole, cheesy casserole, party dish, Tex-Mex casserole

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