A family-friendly, deconstructed taco casserole made with seasoned ground beef, crushed tortilla chips, cheese and simple taco toppings — all baked together for an easy weeknight meal.
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef with the chopped onion until beef is no longer pink and onion is softened, about 6–8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
Stir in the taco seasoning and diced tomatoes. Cook for 2–3 minutes until mixture is heated through and well combined. Taste and adjust salt if necessary.
Place half of the crushed tortilla chips in the prepared baking dish. Spread the beef mixture evenly over the chips, then sprinkle with half of the shredded cheddar cheese.
Top with the remaining crushed chips and finish with the remaining cheese.
Bake in the preheated oven for 18–22 minutes, until cheese is melted and casserole is bubbly.
Remove from oven and let rest 5 minutes. Dollop sour cream on top if using and sprinkle with sliced green onions before serving.
Serve warm, scooping portions so each serving has chips, beef and cheese together. Leftovers can be refrigerated up to 3 days.
Notes
For a lighter version, substitute ground turkey and reduced-fat cheese. Add black beans or corn for extra fiber and bulk.