This Taco Bake is hearty, cheesy, and so delicious! 🤤
It’s the perfect make-ahead meal you can pop in the oven about 45 minutes before dinner.
I also love serving this for a potluck because it feeds a crowd, travels well, and the leftovers are amazing! 🙌✨
🧡 Taco Bake (Great Freezer Meal!)
Servings: 8 to 10
🛒 Ingredients
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2 Tablespoons olive oil
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1 Tbsp butter
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1 pound ground beef
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1 medium yellow onion, diced
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1 package taco seasoning
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½ teaspoon kosher salt
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¼ teaspoon black pepper
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3 Tablespoons tomato paste
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16 ounce jar salsa
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15 ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed (optional)
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2 cups Mexican blend shredded cheese (divided)
👩🍳 Directions
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Preheat oven to 350°F.
Spray a 9×13 or 3-quart baking dish with nonstick spray and set aside. -
Heat a large deep skillet over medium-high heat
(or use the Instant Pot on “Sauté,” which I love!) 😄
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Add olive oil and onions and sauté until tender, about 3–4 minutes.
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Add ground beef and cook, crumbling with a wooden spoon, until browned and mostly cooked, about 4–5 minutes.
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Beef should be fully cooked and brown at this point.
Drain any fat and return to the skillet. -
Stir in taco seasoning, salt, pepper, tomato paste, salsa, and beans (if using).
Cook for 1–2 minutes. -
Turn off the heat and stir in 1 cup of shredded cheese 🧀.
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Transfer mixture to the prepared baking dish and top with the remaining 1 cup of cheese.
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Bake for about 25 minutes, until hot and bubbly and cheese is melted ✨.
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Top with chopped tomatoes, cilantro, sliced olives, and serve!
🌟 Favorite Toppings & Serving Ideas
I love serving this with:
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Shredded lettuce 🥬
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Sour cream
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Guacamole 🥑
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Cilantro
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Chopped tomatoes 🍅
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Extra shredded cheese 🧀
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Taco sauce 🌶️
Let everyone build their own:
✅ Hard or soft tacos
✅ Nachos
✅ Taco salad over lettuce
So fun and customizable!
❄️ Freezer Instructions (Make Ahead!)
To freeze:
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Cook the beef mixture and place it in the baking dish.
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Omit the final 1 cup of cheese on top.
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Cool completely, then cover tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil.
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Freeze for up to 3 months.
To bake from frozen:
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Thaw overnight in the refrigerator until completely thawed.
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Remove plastic wrap and foil.
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Let sit on the counter for 20 minutes.
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Top with the remaining 1 cup of cheese.
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Bake at 350°F for 45–55 minutes, until hot, bubbly, and melted.
✨ Perfect for weeknights, meal prep, potlucks, and cozy family dinners!
