Everyone needs a taco casserole in their life. This is my recipe. This vegetarian taco bake is always a crowd-pleaser. Serve with chips or soft taco shells.
If you are ever responsible for feeding more than just yourself (which is most of us, I suppose) this is one of those recipes you need in your life. It's easy and quick and you can assemble it ahead of time. Feed a crowd. Feed the family for dinner. Let the family feed themselves for dinner. Leftovers are just as awesome.
My mom used to make something similar when my brother and I were teenagers. She would make it on Friday nights, and it always meant Mom and Dad were going out for dinner so we were on our own.
Seriously a genius move, Mom.
So much better than pizza. And dinner was made and the kitchen was cleaned before we even got home from school.
So smart.
And us kids that we won the jackpot. We got to have chips for dinner!
What is a Vegetarian Taco Bake
This is a simple layered casserole with all the taco flavours.
Start with seasoned black beans:
some cream cheese:
some veggies...
more cheese and veggies
make it pretty if you want.... and maybe some more cheese π
That's it. Throw the whole thing into the oven and bake until bubbly.
It's just a bunch of easy layers. And if you are careful, you can get a good quantity of vegetables in too.
I always top the baked casserole with a few more fresh veggies when I serve it like fresh diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, avocado and green onions.
How to serve
It's football season around here, this is one of those recipes you want to have on hand when you have an unexpected crowd... or an expected crowd that is hungry. And since it is completely a prep ahead casserole, you prep and set it aside so it's ready when they are hungry. This is my favourite thing to do on a Sunday when I want to keep the boys out of the kitchen while I get ready for my week. A no mess, no hassle, dinner.
Serve with soft taco shells and more taco toppings and everyone can help themselves with soft tacos. Salsa and sour cream on the side.
Serve as a make-your-own super nacho night, or taco salad night. Again get, all those toppings out and serve with a big bowl of chips and shredded lettuce and your guests can build their own nacho salad plate.
Serve as a dip. Simply, easy, with just some tortilla chips on the side.
Variations and substitutions
I like to keep this vegetarian and I have a thing for black beans, but you can change things up:
- Change up the beans, use canned refried beans instead of black beans. Since canned refried beans are already salted and seasoned, you can layer them right into the casserole. Don't add anything. Skip step #1
- Or use pinto beans instead of black, or a combination of black and pinto beans. Treat pinto beans as in Step #1
- Add a layer of ground taco meat between the beans and the cheese. Or instead if the beans. My lentil taco "meat" works great here. But you can also you your favourite vegetarian ground filling like Beyond Meat. Or of course use ground chicken, turkey or extra lean ground beef. In all cases, brown the meat in a skillet first with some Taco Seasoning.
- Make it saucy, in a skillet, heat the beans (or ground meat or alternative noted above) and add a small can of diced tomatoes like Rotel. Simmer for 7-10 minutes or until the mixture has thickened.
- Mix up the veggies: diced, pre-cooked sweet potato is so good. Add more red or green peppers or even a layer of grilled onions.
TIPS: The secret to this easy taco bake is a good Taco Seasoning. I often make my own. But if you don't have time, just grab a Taco Seasoning packet next time you are in the grocery store, like this one.
This recipe is gluten-free if served with gluten-free corn tortillas and chips.
π Recipe
Vegetarian Taco Bake
Ingredients
- 2 15oz cans of black beans rinsed and drained, no salt added beans
- 1 fat clove of garlic minced or crushed
- 1 jalepeno finely diced
- Β½ red onion, chopped about 1 cup
- 1 tablespoon cilantro chopped
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Β½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon Taco Seasoning like Clubhouse, reduced sodium
Layers:
- 8 oz brick cream cheese, reduced fat
- ΒΌ cup fat-free greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoon Taco Seasoning
- 1 cup frozen corn
- ΒΎ cup salsa
- 2 cup shredded cheese (tex mex, cheddar, etc)
- Β½ cup diced red peppers
- Β½ cup black olives
Toppings:
- green onions
- fresh diced tomatoes
- avocado
- lettuce
Instructions
- Combine black beans, garlic, jalepeno, red onion, cilantro, honey salt and 1 tablespoon of Taco seasoning in a large bowl. Mash some beans with a fork. Spread on the bottow of 9x12 casserole dish2 15oz cans of black beans, 1 fat clove of garlic, 1 jalepeno, Β½ red onion, chopped, 1 tablespoon cilantro, 1 tablespoon honey, Β½ teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon Taco Seasoning
- In a small bowl mix together cream cheese, yogurt, 2 tablespoons of Taco seasoning. Dollop on top of black beans in the casserole dish. Sprinkle frozen corn and fresh salsa over top.8 oz brick cream cheese, reduced fat, ΒΌ cup fat-free greek yogurt, 2 tablespoon Taco Seasoning, 1 cup frozen corn, ΒΎ cup salsa
- Cover casserole with 2 cups shredded cheese and sprinkle with red peppers and black olives2 cup shredded cheese (tex mex, cheddar, etc), Β½ cup diced red peppers, Β½ cup black olives
- Bake @ 350 uncovered for 30-35 minutes or until cheese is melted and casserole is bubbly round the edges.
- Remove from oven. Add additional toppings, your choice - green onions, chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes, fresh cilantro and avocado. Serve with lime wedges, chips or soft corn or flour tortillas.green onions, fresh diced tomatoes, avocado, lettuce
Allison says
Yum, this sounds so tasty. I can't wait to make it for our next football game day party!
Food Meanderings says
After seeing this I realize yes, I too need a taco casserole in my life! And mostly because I am responsible for feeding more than myself. Thanks π
Sabrina says
Oooh this is seriously one of my new family-friendly favourites!my kids love taco night and I live that itβs a healthy meatless meal and that it is a great potluck dish. Thanks!!!