– 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey)
– 1 packet taco seasoning
– 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
– 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
– 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
– 1 can (10 oz) enchilada sauce
– 2 cups tortilla chips, crushed
– 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
– 1 cup diced bell peppers (optional)
– 1 cup chopped onion (optional)
– 1 cup sliced black olives (optional)
– 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
– Sour cream (for serving, optional)
Creating this delicious Crockpot Taco Casserole is straightforward. Here are the step-by-step instructions to follow:
1. Prepare the Ingredients: Gather all the ingredients listed. If using fresh vegetables, wash, peel, and chop them as necessary.
2. Brown the Meat: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned. Drain excess fat.
3. Add Seasoning: Stir in the taco seasoning to the cooked meat. Follow package instructions, typically adding some water and stirring for a minute or two.
4. Layer the Ingredients: In your crockpot, layer the following:
– Half of the crushed tortilla chips
– Half of the seasoned meat mixture
– Half of the black beans
– Half of the corn
– Half of the diced tomatoes
– Half of the enchilada sauce
– Half of the cheese
5. Repeat Layers: Repeat the layering process with the remaining ingredients in the same order: crushed tortilla chips, meat mixture, black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, enchilada sauce, and cheese.
6. Cook It: Cover the crockpot with the lid and set it to cook on low for 4 to 6 hours or high for 2 to 3 hours.
7. Check for Doneness: About 30 minutes before the cooking time is up, check that the cheese is melted and bubbly.
8. Serve It Up: Once cooked through, turn off the crockpot. Spoon out the casserole into bowls or plates.