Hearty Cheesy Ground Beef Casserole with Secret Hacks
This hearty and cheesy ground beef casserole incorporates secret ingredients like taco seasoning and cream of mushroom soup for a boost of flavor. It's an easy-to-make, satisfying meal perfect for a family dinner.
Equipment
- 9x13 inch baking dish
- large skillet or Dutch oven
Ingredients
Key Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning mix Hack #1: or 2 tablespoons of your favorite homemade blend
- 1 can (10.75 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup Hack #2
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes undrained
- 1 cup frozen corn no need to thaw
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese divided
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese divided
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add ground beef and cook until browned, draining excess grease.
- Add chopped onion to the skillet and cook for 5 minutes until softened, then stir in minced garlic for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in taco seasoning and cook for 1 minute, then add cream of mushroom soup and milk, stirring until smooth.
- Stir in diced tomatoes and frozen corn, bring to a gentle simmer for 2-3 minutes, then season with salt and pepper.
- Pour the beef mixture into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle with half of the cheddar and mozzarella cheeses.
- Bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle with the remaining cheddar and mozzarella cheeses.
- Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to help it set.
Notes
For an extra crispy topping, mix a few breadcrumbs with a little melted butter and sprinkle over the cheese before the final bake. If you prefer a milder flavor, reduce the amount of taco seasoning or use a mild blend. This casserole is also great for meal prepping; simply divide into individual portions after cooling and store in the refrigerator or freezer.