Description
This Beefy King Ranch Casserole is a flavorful Tex-Mex inspired layered dish featuring seasoned ground beef, creamy soups, cheese, and crunchy tortilla chips, baked to bubbly perfection. Perfect for a hearty family dinner, it combines savory spices with a rich cheesy sauce for a comforting casserole experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Seasoning
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 (1-oz) package taco seasoning
- â…” cup water
Soups and Sauce
- 1 (10.5-oz) can Unsalted Cream of Chicken Soup
- 1 (10.5-oz) can Unsalted Cream of Mushroom Soup
- 2 Tbsp dried minced onion flakes
- 1 (10-oz) can Rotel tomatoes
- 1 (8-oz) jar Cheez Whiz
- dash Tabasco
- dash Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
Assembly and Toppings
- Tortilla chips (crushed, enough to cover 9×13-inch pan)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat the oven to 350ºF (175ºC) and lightly spray a 9×13-inch casserole pan with cooking spray. Set aside to prepare the ingredients.
- Cook the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until there is no pink remaining. Drain any excess fat from the pan. Stir in the taco seasoning packet and â…” cup water. Allow the mixture to simmer for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until most of the water has been absorbed and the beef is well seasoned.
- Prepare the Creamy Sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, dried minced onion flakes, Rotel tomatoes, Cheez Whiz, Tabasco, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir the mixture continuously until it is thoroughly blended and heated through. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat once well combined.
- Assemble the Casserole Layers: Spread a layer of crushed tortilla chips evenly on the bottom of the prepared casserole dish. Distribute half of the cooked taco meat evenly over the chips. Pour half of the creamy Rotel mixture over the meat layer. Sprinkle half of the shredded cheddar cheese on top. Repeat this layering sequence with the remaining taco meat, the rest of the creamy sauce, the remaining cheddar cheese, and finish with shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
- Bake: Place the assembled casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese is melted and slightly golden. Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- For a spicier casserole, add more Tabasco or replace the taco seasoning with a spicier variety.
- Unsalted soups are used to control sodium; adjust salt to your preference.
- Crushing the tortilla chips finely helps create a better base but avoid crushing into powder.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated thoroughly before serving.
- You can substitute Cheez Whiz with processed cheese food or Velveeta for a similar effect.
