Nacho Casserole

 

🌮✨ Nacho Casserole — Cheesy, Crunchy, and Crowd‑Pleasing

Layers of beef, beans, cheese, and crunchy chips baked into bubbly perfection — this Nacho Casserole is basically a fiesta in a pan!

Let’s be honest: nachos are already one of the greatest inventions of all time. They’re crunchy, cheesy, saucy, and endlessly customizable. But what if you could take all that nacho goodness and turn it into a hearty, family‑friendly casserole? Enter Nacho Casserole — the dish that combines the fun of nachos with the comfort of a baked dinner.

This recipe is:

• Cheesy and gooey — two kinds of cheese for maximum melt factor.
• Crunchy and saucy — layers of Doritos meet enchilada‑salsa sauce.
• Hearty and filling — ground beef + beans = protein power.
• Family‑friendly — picky eaters usually can’t resist.
• Perfect for gatherings — potlucks, game nights, or Taco Tuesday.

💬 Reader prompt: Are you team “extra cheese, please” or team “pile on the toppings”?

I have had bronchitis this past weekend and so there was a lot of watching of the Food Network! lol! It’s a great place to get inspiration!  I caught the last part of the Pioneer Woman’s show and she was making a version of this casserole. My husband got a little excited and I realized this would be perfect since school is starting!

 

 

🥕 Nutritional Facts & Fun

• Ground Beef: Protein + iron.
• Black Beans: Fiber + plant protein.
• Cheese: Calcium + melty happiness.
• Bell Peppers (optional add‑in): Vitamin C + crunch.
• Doritos: Flavor + fun (sometimes joy is the best nutrient).

💬 Reader prompt: Do you sneak veggies into casseroles, or keep them classic?

👩‍🍳 Cooking Tips

• Chip Trick: Layer chips just before baking so they stay crunchy.
• Cheese Melt: Use freshly shredded cheese for the best gooey texture.
• Make Ahead: Assemble up to 24 hours in advance; bake when ready.
• Spice Level: Use hot salsa for a kick, or mild for family‑friendly.
• Serving Suggestion: Pair with Mexican rice or a simple side salad.

🔄 Recipe Variations

• Chicken Nacho Casserole: Swap beef for shredded chicken.
• Veggie Version: Use sautéed zucchini, corn, and peppers instead of meat.
• Breakfast Twist: Add scrambled eggs and chorizo.
• Low‑Carb: Replace chips with roasted cauliflower florets.
• Extra Cheesy: Add queso dip between layers.

💬 Reader prompt: Which version would your family devour first — chicken, veggie, or breakfast?

🧒 Kid Tips

• Let kids sprinkle cheese on each layer (they’ll feel like chefs).
• Serve with mini bowls of toppings so they can “decorate” their own slice.
• Cut casserole into squares for easy hand‑held portions.
• Call it “Taco Lasagna” to make it sound extra fun.

🛒 Grocery Hacks

• Ground Beef: Buy family packs and freeze extras in 1‑lb portions.
• Cheese: Shred blocks yourself — cheaper and melts better.
• Chips: Use store‑brand nacho chips to save money.
• Beans: Rinse canned beans to reduce sodium.
• Salsa: Buy in bulk jars — it doubles as dip and sauce base.

💬 Reader prompt: Do you always keep salsa in your fridge, or only buy it for taco night?

🎯 Reader Challenge

This week, I challenge you to make Nacho Casserole and serve it with your own twist. Maybe it’s extra spicy, maybe it’s loaded with veggies, maybe it’s topped with guacamole. Post your creation with #LouLouGirlsNachoNight so we can all drool together.

🥪 Leftover Remix

• Nacho Casserole Burritos: Wrap leftovers in tortillas.
• Nacho Soup: Stir into broth for a cheesy taco soup.
• Nacho Quesadillas: Sandwich between tortillas with extra cheese.
• Nacho Breakfast Hash: Top scrambled eggs with reheated casserole.
• Nacho Pizza: Spread on flatbread, top with cheese, and bake.

💬 Reader prompt: Would you rather turn leftovers into burritos or quesadillas?

 

 

Nacho Casserole

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Ingredients

• Sauce:
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 10-ounce can enchilada sauce
• 1 jar of salsa
• 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Meat:
• 2 pounds ground beef
• 3 to 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 can black beans, drained
• Half of a 15-ounce bag nacho cheese-flavored chips, such as Doritos
• 1 1/2 cups shredded pepper jack cheese
• 1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
• Toppings:
• 1 1/2 cups shredded lettuce
• 1 1/2 cup tomatoes, diced
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup sliced black olives
• 3 green onions, sliced

Instructions

1. Sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the vegetable oil and flour. Cook, whisking, until it begins to bubble; let it bubble for 1 minute. Pour in the enchilada sauce, salsa, chicken broth, cumin and some salt and pepper. Raise the heat and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer while you prepare the meat.
2. Meat: Brown the ground beef with the garlic and onions in a large skillet over medium-high heat, 5 to 8 minutes. Drain the fat and stir in the beans, cumin and salt to combine. Stir the meat into the simmering sauce and shut off the heat.
3. Casserole: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease one 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
4. Break up the chips by crushing the bag slightly with your hands. Make sure not to over crush the chips; you're looking for pieces, not crumbs. Mix together the cheeses in a medium bowl.
5. Pour the broken chips in the prepared baking dish. Top with a quarter of the beef mixture and 2/3 cup of the cheese. Repeat, adding another layer of chips, beef mix and cheese. Finish by adding the remaining chips to the top of the casserole. Top with 2/3 cup cheese.
6. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and continue to bake until bubbly, another 15 to 20 minutes.
7. For the toppings: Top the cooked casserole with the shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream and sliced black olives and green onions before serving.

🔢 Calorie Count (Per Serving, Serves 8)

• Calories: ~480
• Protein: 27g
• Carbs: 32g
• Fat: 28g
• Fiber: 5g
• Sodium: 780mg

💭 Final Thoughts

This Nacho Casserole is proof that comfort food can also be fun food. It’s cheesy, crunchy, saucy, and versatile enough to be a weeknight dinner or a party centerpiece. Plus, it’s the kind of recipe that makes everyone smile — and isn’t that the best kind of cooking?

Here’s the thing about casseroles — they’re never just casseroles. They’re the sound of chips crunching under layers of cheese, the smell of garlic and onions sizzling in the pan, the comfort of knowing dinner is going to be a hit.

And this Nacho Casserole? It’s a keeper. It’s bold, it’s cheesy, it’s the perfect balance of crunchy and gooey. It’s the kind of recipe that makes you feel like you’ve unlocked the secret to turning snack food into a full‑blown dinner win.

But what I love most is how recipes like this bring us together. Food has that magic — it’s not just about eating, it’s about sharing. It’s about swapping tips, laughing over cheese pulls, and building little traditions that make life tastier.

So here’s my challenge to you: make this casserole, share it with your people, and then tell me your twist. Did you add chicken? Did you sneak in jalapeños? Did you double the cheese just because you could? (No judgment — I’d be first in line for that version.)

💬 Reader prompt: Should we do a “Casserole Series” next? I’m dreaming up enchilada casserole, pizza casserole, and maybe even a breakfast tater tot casserole.

Until then, may your chips stay crunchy, your cheese melty, your salsa spicy, and your kitchen filled with laughter, love, and second helpings. Because at the end of the day, recipes like this

aren’t just about feeding bellies — they’re about feeding moments. They’re about gathering around the table, scooping out big cheesy portions, sneaking an extra chip from the pan, and creating memories that linger long after the plates are cleared.

So go ahead — bake up this Nacho Casserole, invite your people over, and let the fiesta begin. And when you do, don’t forget to share your twist with us — because the best recipes are the ones that evolve with every kitchen they touch.

Did you try our Nacho Casserole recipe? What did you think? Did you love it? We would love to hear from you! Please leave us a comment below or tag us on Instagram!

 

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