Taco Bake (Easy Taco Casserole)

Taco Bake

6-8 large tortillas

2 lb. ground beef

½ cup taco seasoning (roughly 2 store-bought packets)

½ cup water

1 can (14 oz) black beans, drained

2 cups chunky salsa

2 cups nacho cheese sauce

8 oz shredded Mexican cheese blend

Handful of crumbled tortilla chips

½ cup sliced black olives

½ cup sliced pickled jalapeños

Freshly minced cilantro for garnish

Add the ground beef to a skillet over medium heat and brown and crumble. Drain off excess fat if needed. Add the taco seasoning and water and cook meat in sauce for 2-3 minutes or until it is thoroughly incorporated. Mix in the beans and salsa and stir to combine.

Preheat oven to 375F and grab a 13x9 baking dish.

Cut tortillas in half and use the straight edges to line the sides of the baking dish so that you have a single layer of tortillas as a base. Add half the taco meat mixture. Add another layer of tortillas followed by half the cheese sauce and shredded cheese. Add the crushed tortilla chips followed by the other half of the meat. Add a final layer of tortillas followed by the rest of the cheese sauce and shredded cheese. Garnish with olives and jalapenos and bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and bubbling around the edges.

Let rest for 15 minutes then serve with fresh cilantro and optionally some sour cream and hot sauce.