Doritos Casserole Recipe

Introduction

This Doritos Casserole is a flavorful and comforting dish perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings. Combining seasoned ground beef, beans, cheese, and crunchy Doritos, it’s a fun twist on a classic casserole that everyone will love.

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. Break it up with a spatula and cook until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
3. Step 3: Stir in the diced onions and red bell pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes until softened.
4. Step 4: Add taco seasoning and the can of Rotel tomatoes with green chilis. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring to combine.
5. Step 5: Stir in the drained pinto beans and sour cream. Remove the skillet from heat.
6. Step 6: Break the Doritos chips into smaller pieces, but not too small to keep some crunch.
7. Step 7: Spread 1/3 of the broken Doritos in the bottom of the casserole dish. Top with half of the beef mixture, then 1/3 of the shredded cheese.
8. Step 8: Add another 1/3 of the Doritos chips on top of the cheese. Spread the remaining beef mixture over the chips, then sprinkle with another 1/3 of cheese.
9. Step 9: Finish with the remaining Doritos and cheese evenly spread on top.
10. Step 10: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes until heated through and cheese is melted.
11. Step 11: Optionally, garnish with diced green onions or your favorite toppings. Serve warm.

Tips & Variations

• For extra spice, add chopped jalapeños or use spicy taco seasoning.
• Swap pinto beans for black beans for a slightly different flavor and texture.
• Use a mixture of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese if colby jack is not available.
• For a lighter version, use reduced-fat cheese and swap sour cream for Greek yogurt.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place in an oven-safe dish covered with foil and warm at 350 degrees F until heated through, or microwave until warm. The casserole may lose some crunch over time but will still be delicious.

How to Serve

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 refrigerate it before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking straight from the fridge.

Can I substitute the Doritos with another chip?

Absolutely. Tortilla chips or another flavored chip can be used if you prefer, though Doritos add a distinctive cheesy flavor and crunch.

Doritos Casserole Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 127 reviews

• Author: Charlotte
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6–8 servings 1x

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Description

This Doritos Casserole is a flavorful, cheesy, and satisfying baked dish that combines seasoned ground beef, diced vegetables, beans, and creamy sour cream layered with crunchy Doritos chips and melted Colby Jack cheese. Perfect for a comforting family dinner with a fun twist on traditional casseroles.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Vegetables

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• ½ cup onion, diced

Seasonings and Cans

• 1 ounce taco seasoning
• 1 (10 ounce) can Rotel tomatoes with green chilis
• 1 (16 ounce) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed

Dairy and Chips

• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 (16 ounce) shredded Colby Jack cheese
• 1 (16 ounce) bag Doritos Nacho Cheese chips

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Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) and spray a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
2. Cook Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spatula until fully browned. Drain excess grease to keep the dish from being too oily.
3. Sauté Vegetables: Add diced onions and red bell peppers into the skillet with the beef and cook for 2-3 minutes until the vegetables soften slightly.
4. Add Seasoning and Tomatoes: Stir in taco seasoning and the can of Rotel tomatoes with green chilies. Cook the mixture for another 2-3 minutes to blend flavors.
5. Combine Beans and Sour Cream: Add drained pinto beans and sour cream to the skillet, stirring well to combine all ingredients. Remove the skillet from heat.
6. Prepare Doritos: Break the Doritos chips into medium-sized pieces, ensuring they are not crushed too finely to maintain some crunch.
7. Assemble Layers: Spread one-third of the broken Doritos evenly over the bottom of the casserole dish. Layer half of the beef mixture over the chips, then sprinkle one-third of the shredded cheese on top.
8. Repeat Layers: Add another third of the broken Doritos chips over the cheese, top with the remaining beef mixture, and sprinkle with another third of the shredded cheese.
9. Finish Layering: Spread the remaining Doritos chips on top, then finish with the last third of the shredded cheese to ensure a cheesy crust when baked.
10. Bake: Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
11. Optional Garnish: Remove from oven and optionally top with diced green onions or other preferred toppings for added freshness and flavor.
12. Serve: Serve the casserole warm for a delicious, crunchy, and cheesy meal.

Notes

• Do not crush the Doritos into too fine pieces; medium chunks ensure the right crunchy texture.
• Use Colby Jack cheese for its excellent melting qualities and mild flavor, but you can substitute with a Mexican cheese blend if preferred.
• For extra heat, add jalapeños or hot sauce to the beef mixture.
• Drain the ground beef well to avoid excess grease making the casserole soggy.
• This casserole can be made ahead and refrigerated before baking. Just increase bake time slightly if baking from cold.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Casserole
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: Doritos casserole, cheesy casserole, ground beef casserole, layered casserole, easy dinner, Tex-Mex casserole