Description

Doritos Casserole is a fun and easy-to-make comfort food that combines the crunch of Doritos with a creamy, cheesy filling. This dish layers seasoned ground beef or chicken with canned soups, melted cheese, and everyone’s favorite tortilla chips, creating a flavorful and hearty meal that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or potluck. The casserole is baked until golden and bubbly, with a crispy top layer of Doritos that adds an irresistible texture to every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

2 teaspoons olive oil
1 pound lean ground beef
½ small yellow onion, diced
1 ounce packet taco seasoning
15 ounce can fire roasted tomatoes
15 ounce can light red kidney beans
10 ounce can diced tomatoes and chilies (Rotel)
1 cup sour cream
2 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
5 cups Nacho Cheese Doritos tortilla chips, crushed
Optional garnish: cilantro, green onions, black olives (Use your favorite taco toppings)

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375°F.

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Cook the ground beef until no pink remains.

Add the diced onions and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.

Stir in the taco seasoning, fire roasted tomatoes, tomatoes and chilies, and beans. Heat through.

Mix in the sour cream and remove from heat.

In a 9×13” casserole dish lightly sprayed with cooking spray, layer 2 cups of crushed Doritos.

Spoon half of the meat mixture over the Doritos, then sprinkle with 1 cup of cheese.

Repeat with another layer of the meat mixture and cheese.

Top with a final layer of lightly crushed Doritos and a sprinkle of cheese.

Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes until lightly browned on top.

Garnish as desired and serve with your favorite taco toppings.

Notes

Customizable Protein: You can use ground beef, chicken, or even a vegetarian option like black beans or plant-based meat. This recipe is highly versatile, making it easy to adapt to your preferences.
Doritos Flavor Options: While Nacho Cheese Doritos are the classic choice, feel free to experiment with Cool Ranch, Spicy Nacho, or even Flamin’ Hot Doritos for a different flavor profile.
Vegetarian Option: For a meatless version, replace the ground beef with beans, such as black beans or pinto beans, and increase the vegetables for a hearty, plant-based casserole.
Prevent Sogginess: To keep the Doritos crunchy, make sure to add the top layer of chips just before baking. Avoid assembling the casserole too far in advance, as the chips may lose their crispness.
Serving Suggestions: Pair this casserole with a light side salad, Mexican rice, or refried beans for a complete meal. You can also offer toppings like sour cream, guacamole, or salsa for extra flavor.
Make-Ahead: You can assemble the casserole up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake. Just add the final Doritos topping right before placing it in the oven.
Leftover Tips: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat and maintain the crunch, use the oven or toaster oven rather than the microwave.