Crunchy, cheesy, and loaded with flavor, this Dorito Casserole is quick to assemble and downright addictive! Load it up with all your favorite taco toppings and everyone will be coming back for seconds.
This Dorito Casserole recipe came together when I was trying to clean out the kitchen… I had ground beef, veggies, and a bag of my kids’ favorite chips.
I tossed it all together in a casserole dish, and dinner was done! My kids went crazy for it and didn’t even notice all the hidden veggies. I also love how much protein I was able to pack on their plates.
Cheesy, beefy, and loaded with crunchy Doritos, it’s perfect for weeknight dinners, but also works great for potlucks or watching the big game. It really doesn’t get much better than this!
“This taco casserole with Doritos was so delicious, my family inhaled it and everyone went back for seconds. The chips stayed crunchy and the seasonings were perfect – we gave it a 10/10! We had the leftovers for lunch, I heated it in the microwave 40 seconds on high and sprinkled leftover Doritos on top. It was even more delicious, perfect dinner/leftover meal.” — Brittany, home cook, homesteader, and recipe tester.
Key Ingredient Notes
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Ground Beef: You can use any kind of ground meat you prefer. I like using lean ground beef to avoid excess grease. If you opt for something like ground chuck, make sure to drain it well once browned to avoid a soggy casserole.
- Fiesta Nacho Cheese Soup: You should be able to find this at your local supermarket in the canned soup aisle! My Walmart always has it in stock. It’s the key to the creamy and cheesy texture.
- Corn: Fresh, frozen, or even canned corn will work just fine. If using canned corn, drain it well first.
- Nacho Cheese Doritos: I’ve never used another flavor of Doritos for this recipe, but go for it! (If you love Doritos as much as I do, make my favorite Dorito taco salad)!
- Cheddar Cheese: You could swap this for something like a Mexican blend or Pepper Jack cheese for added spice.
- Bell Pepper: Use a red/orange/yellow bell pepper for a sweeter/milder flavor. For a more pungent bell pepper flavor, use a green one.
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How To Make Dorito Casserole
Visit the printable recipe card below for full directions.
Don’t crush the chips too fine. You want them big enough to hold texture, but not turn to mush in the casserole. I crush them lightly into bite size pieces.
Brown and drain the meat. Cooking your ground beef thoroughly and draining excess grease keeps the casserole from becoming soggy.
For a softer bell pepper, sauté it with the onion and ground beef. I like my bell pepper to keep a little of its texture, but if you prefer it more tender, cook it earlier in the process.
Layer strategically. Alternate Doritos, meat mixture, and cheese so every bite gets a balance of crunch, flavor, and gooeyness.
Let it rest. After baking, let the casserole cool for a few minutes. It holds together better and is easier to serve.
Add all your favorite toppings before serving. These don’t just add to the presentation, they add flavor too! We like to do sour cream, tomatoes, and cilantro. Guacamole or fresh Pico de Gallo are also always great additions.
Variations To Try
- Make It Spicy: Use a hot taco seasoning or add hot sauce, crushed red pepper flakes, or chopped jalapeños to create some heat.
- Top With More Chips: Add a handful of extra Doritos on top before baking for a crunchy finish.
- Big Game Day Bake: Double the recipe and bake two 9×13 casserole dishes for parties.
- Use Rotel: If you happen to have Rotel on hand, use two cans (well drained) in place of the fire roasted tomatoes and green chiles.
Storage and Make Ahead Options
For maximum crunch, this Dorito Casserole is best assembled and enjoyed fresh. However, we still really enjoy the leftovers, we just add more freshly crushed Doritos on top before serving!
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. To reheat, microwave individual portions or warm the whole casserole (covered with foil) in a 350°F oven until hot throughout.
Want to prep ahead? Cook the meat filling in advance and store it in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to assemble the casserole. Do not fully prep the casserole ahead of time as the chips will become soggy.
Dorito Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef, or any ground meat of your choice
- ½ cup chopped yellow onion
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained
- 1 (14.5 oz) can fire roasted diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 (10.75 oz) can Fiesta Nacho Cheese Soup
- 1 cup corn, fresh, frozen, or canned (drain it!)
- 1 (4 oz) can diced green chiles
- ½ cup chopped red bell pepper
- ½ cup chopped green bell pepper
- 1 oz taco seasoning packet, hot or mild
- 9 ¼ oz bag of Nacho Cheese Doritos, crushed
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Optional Toppings
- 1 cup chopped tomatoes, or Pico de Gallo
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup guacamole
- 3 tablespoons freshly chopped cilantro
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Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13 casserole dish with non-stick spray and set aside.
- In a large skillet, add the ground beef and onions. Cook for 7 to 10 minutes, until the juices run clear. Drain any excess grease to prevent the casserole from becoming soggy.
- Add the black beans, fire-roasted tomatoes, nacho cheese soup, corn, green chiles, peppers, and taco seasoning. Cook, stirring often, for 3 minutes. Remove from the heat.
- In the prepared baking dish, layer 1/2 of the Doritos in the bottom of the baking dish. Top the Doritos with 1/2 of the meat mixture. Then top the meat mixture with 1/2 of the cheese. Repeat the steps again, ending with a layer of cheese.
- Bake in the oven for 15 minutes, until heated through and the cheese is melted. Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Top with desired toppings and serve immediately!
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Notes
Nutrition
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More Tex-Mex Dinner Recipes To Try
- Taco Mac and Cheese – Easy comfort food dinner made in one-pot.
- Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti – Chicken, bacon, and cheese are all baked in pasta perfection!
- Mexican Chicken Casserole – Corn tortillas layered with cheese, chicken, refried beans and more.
- Crockpot Chicken Tacos – Incredibly flavorful with only 4 ingredients.
- Walking Tacos – A no-mess meal that’s perfect for parties or potlucks.
- Slow Cooker Cheesy Taco Pasta – Feeds an army and makes great leftovers!
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