Dorito Casserole

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With ingredients like seasoned ground beef, black beans, diced tomatoes and chilies, and lots of cheese, there’s no shortage of flavor in this Dorito Casserole recipe. A family favorite that’s ready in just 45 minutes!

Serving Dorito casserole from a baking dish

We love Doritos in my house. The boys love making sure there’s at least a bag in the house. I’ve incorporated them into recipes before – like Dorito taco salad, taco pasta salad, and Dorito chicken tenders. They’re a great way to add flavor and texture to dishes, which is exactly what they do today in this Dorito casserole recipe. It’s a twist on a basic taco casserole and one of our current favorite dinners.

Why You’ll Love This Dorito Casserole Recipe

This casserole has been a huge hit with the whole family. Here are a few reasons why.

  • Easy! This is probably my favorite thing about the casserole since I’m the one who usually makes it. It’s just a matter of cooking the ground beef, stirring in the other ingredients, and layering them in the baking dish. So simple!
  • Great flavor. Peppers, onion, diced tomatoes and chilies, and taco seasoning infuse the ground beef mixture with lots of flavor. Not to mention the Doritos and, of course, lots of cheese!
  • Super filling. Ground beef and black beans help make this Dorito casserole filling without it being too heavy. You could even add some quinoa for extra protein and more heartiness.
  • Make ahead. This casserole actually freezes very well. I often make two at a time so I can keep one in the freezer for a future dinner. Full make ahead instructions are below.
Ingredients needed to make Dorito casserole

What You’ll Need

This Dorito taco casserole is made with many of your favorite taco ingredients, plus Doritos. You can find the exact measurements in the recipe card below.

  • Ground beef – I like to use a leaner ground beef, such as 80/20, which still has lots of flavor without tons of extra grease.
  • Onion & red bell pepper – Add flavor to the beef mixture.
  • Garlic
  • Taco seasoning – You can use my homemade taco seasoning or grab a packet at the store.
  • Beef broth – Using beef broth with the taco seasoning enhances the savory flavor in the taco meat. You can use water if preferred.
  • Diced tomatoes & green chilies – Rotel or similar. Adds a bit of heat to the casserole.
  • Black beans – Drain and rinse before using.
  • Sour cream
  • Doritos – I used regular nacho Doritos. You’ll want the large bag. Keep in mind that store brands of similar chips don’t typically have as much flavor as name-brand Doritos.
  • Shredded cheddar cheese

How to Make a Dorito Casserole

This casserole comes together in a few easy steps. You can find the printable version of the instructions in the recipe card below.

  • Cook the beef. Cook the ground beef until browned, crumbling it with a spatula. Drain excess fat.
  • Add the other ingredients. Add the onion, pepper, and garlic to the skillet. Cook for 5 minutes then stir in the taco seasoning and beef broth. Simmer for about 2 minutes to allow it to thicken. Stir in the Rotel and the black beans. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
  • Assemble the casserole. Spread half of the crushed Doritos in the bottom of the baking dish. Spoon the beef mixture evenly on top. Spread the sour cream over the beef then sprinkle with half of the cheese. Add another layer of the crushed Doritos and top with the remaining cheese.
  • Bake. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  • Cool. Remove the casserole from the oven. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Add your favorite toppings and enjoy!
A plate of Dorito casserole

Tips & Variations

Here are a few useful tips for making your Dorito casserole, as well as a few ways to customize it.

  • Don’t crush the Doritos too much. While you want small pieces of chips, you don’t want crumbs or tiny pieces. Having some larger pieces helps add texture to the casserole. To crush them, just open the bag and then squeeze the chips a few times with your hands or run a rolling pin over the bag 2-3 times.
  • Try other Dorito flavors. I used the classic nacho cheese flavor when I made this but you can absolutely experiment with other flavors. Cool Ranch would taste great and the spicy version would definitely add a bit of heat to the recipe.
  • Incorporate other ingredients. Consider adding a cup of corn kernels or chopped jalapeños to the beef mixture for added texture and flavor. You can also mix in cooked rice or quinoa for an even heartier dish.
  • Experiment with different cheeses. Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or a Mexican cheese blend can add a unique twist to the flavor profile.
  • Make it spicy. For a spicy Dorito casserole, grab a bag of the spicy chips, use spicy taco seasoning or sprinkle in some cayenne pepper, and add diced jalapenos to the mixture. You could also use spicy Rotel.
A fork diving into a plate of Dorito casserole topped with salsa

Topping Ideas

I love to finish this dish off by adding a few fresh toppings before serving. Here are a few ideas:

  • Chopped cilantro
  • Sliced green onions
  • Diced avocado
  • Guacamole
  • A squeeze of lime juice (to brighten the dish)
  • Jalapeno slices
  • Pico de gallo or salsa
  • Sour cream
A plate of Dorito taco casserole topped with sour cream, salsa, and cilantro

Can I Make This Ahead?

Yes, this Dorito casserole actually makes a great make-ahead freezer meal.

It can be frozen before baking. Simply assemble the casserole, cover tightly with foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to cook, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and bake as directed.

How To Store & Reheat Leftovers

  • Fridge. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Reheat. To reheat, place portions in the microwave or heat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through.

More Easy Casserole Recipes To Try

Dorito Casserole feature
5 from 2 votes

Dorito Casserole

With ingredients like seasoned ground beef, black beans, diced tomatoes and chilies, and lots of cheese, there's no shortage of flavor in this Dorito Casserole recipe. A family favorite that's ready in just 45 minutes!
Servings: 6 to 8 people
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 45 minutes

Ingredients
  

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  • In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef. Cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spatula. Drain any excess fat.
  • Add the chopped onion, bell pepper, and garlic to the skillet with the ground beef. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until the vegetables are softened.
  • Stir in the taco seasoning and beef broth, mixing well to combine. Let it simmer for about 2 minutes to thicken slightly.
  • Stir in the can of diced tomatoes with green chilies and the black beans. Allow the mixture to cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
  • In a 9×13 inch baking dish, spread half of the crushed Doritos as the bottom layer. Spoon the beef mixture over the Doritos evenly.
  • Spread the sour cream over the beef layer. Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese over the sour cream.
  • Add another layer of the remaining crushed Doritos, followed by the remaining 1 ½ cups of shredded cheddar cheese.
  • Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  • Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. For extra flavor, top with salsa and sour cream, and garnish with fresh cilantro. Enjoy!

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Nutrition

Calories: 783kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 49g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 124mg | Sodium: 766mg | Potassium: 726mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1489IU | Vitamin C: 32mg | Calcium: 552mg | Iron: 4mg

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5 from 2 votes

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4 comments on “Dorito Casserole”

  1. 5 stars
    Me and my daughters made this for dinner and it was delicious. Everyone loved it. I added fresh cut tomatoes and shredded lettuce on the top with sour cream and salsa.