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A bowl of chili topped with shredded cheese and herbs, filled with black beans, corn, and ground meat, surrounded by crispy tortilla chips—a comforting dish inspired by classic taco casserole recipes.
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5 from 3 votes

Crockpot Taco Casserole: A Comfort Food Classic with a Homemade Touch

When it comes to crowd-pleasing meals that are easy to make and loaded with flavor, nothing beats a Crockpot Taco Casserole. It’s the ultimate comfort food with layers of seasoned meat, beans, corn, crispy tortilla chips, and melty cheese. Whether you’re hosting a game night, feeding a hungry family, or just want leftovers for days, this dish has you covered. Plus, with homemade taco seasoning and fresh tortilla chips, you’re in for an extra treat!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time4 hours
Total Time4 hours 20 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Keyword: casserole, comfort, crockpot, taco
Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients

For the Casserole:

  • 1 lb ground beef or turkey
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
  • 2 cup tortilla chips (or make your own, instructions below)
  • 2 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, Mexican blend, or your favorite)
  • 1 cup salsa

For Homemade Taco Seasoning:

  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
  • ¼ teaspoon dried oregano

For Homemade Tortilla Chips:

  • 6 small corn tortillas
  • Oil for frying (vegetable, canola, or avocado oil)
  • Sea salt, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon granulated onion
  • ½ teaspoon granulated garlic

Instructions

  • Combine all the taco seasoning ingredients in a small bowl. Mix well, and store in an airtight container if you’re making it ahead. This seasoning blend is fresh, aromatic, and way better than store-bought!
  • Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef or turkey and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess grease, then sprinkle the homemade taco seasoning over the meat. Stir to coat evenly, cooking for an additional 2 minutes to bring out the flavors.
  • Transfer the seasoned meat to your crockpot. Add the black beans, corn, and salsa. Stir everything together until evenly combined. Spread a layer of tortilla chips on top of the mixture. Then, sprinkle a generous amount of shredded cheese over the chips. Repeat the layers if desired, ending with cheese on top.
  • Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 4 hours. This allows the flavors to meld together while the cheese melts into gooey perfection.
  • For Frying:Cut the corn tortillas into wedges.Heat about 1 inch of oil in a skillet to 350°F. Fry the tortilla wedges in batches until golden and crispy.Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with sea salt while still warm.For Baking:Preheat the oven to 375°F.Brush both sides of the tortilla wedges lightly with oil. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet.Bake for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy and golden. Sprinkle with salt.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 420kcal