Crockpot Taco Casserole

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Our Crockpot Taco Casserole recipe is a hearty and easy-to-make dish that combines the convenience of a slow cooker with the irresistible flavors of your favorite taco night. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or hosting a casual dinner party, this recipe is a surefire crowd-pleaser.

Made with lean ground turkey, refried beans, corn, salsa and spices then blended with cheese and topped with your favorite taco toppings. The beauty of this recipe is its simplicity – just toss the ingredients into your trusty slow cooker, set it, and forget it until dinnertime.

spoon scooping taco casserole from crockpot

Crockpot meals are one of our favorite cooking methods for busy individuals or families. Best of all, they are super convenient and often require minimal prep. It is the best feeling when you walk through the door after a long day to a hot, ready-to-eat meal on the counter. It makes hectic weeknights or weekends a breeze! Serve with this delicious Mexican flan if you’re looking for a dessert option.

Whether you are new or a seasoned pro, let this taco casserole be your inspiration to continue cooking delicious and nutritious meals in the crockpot!

Other easy crockpot recipes include Crockpot Ranch Pork Chops and Crockpot Butternut Squash Soup.

cheese, ground turkey, fritos, lettuce, tomato, beans, corn, olives, salsa and taco seasoning on countertop

We are excited to partner with Pick ‘n Save and Metro Market, a store we’ve proudly supported for years. When shopping in-store or online for pickup, I find that their Kroger and Simple Truth brands ensure quality and savings, adding an extra layer of assurance for families. Create Kids Club values wholesome choices and delicious meals, and our collaboration creates an ideal platform for affordable, quality living.

Table of Contents

Ingredients

1 pound ground turkey or beef
1 packet gluten-free taco seasoning
1/2 cup water
15 ounces refried beans
15 ounces black beans drained
15 ounces corn nuggets drained
16 ounces salsa
2 cups shredded Mexican cheese divided
1 cup Fritos
Optional: shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, black olives for garnish

ground meat and taco seasoning in saute pan

corn, salsa, refried beans and black beans in crockpot

Recipe Instructions

In a skillet, brown the ground turkey over medium heat. Stir in the taco seasoning and water. Stir until thickened.

In the bottom of the crockpot add the refried beans, black beans, corn, and salsa. Stir in the ground turkey. Cover.

taco meat, corn and black beans in crockpot

Cook for 2-4 hours on high or 6-8 hours on low.

Stir 1 cup of cheese into the casserole. Sprinkle the other cup on top. Cover and let the cheese melt, about 5 minutes. Add the Fritos on top of the melted cheese.

Garnish with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and black olives or your favorite taco toppings.

shredded cheese on meat mixture in crockpot

hand placing lid on slow cooker filled with meat and cheese

Taco Casserole Topping Suggestions

If looking for options beyond lettuce, tomatoes and olives, consider sliced avocado, taco sauce, hot sauce, guacamole and sour cream.

Cilantro, chopped jalapenos, lime juice, pickled red onions, and radishes are unique taco toppings that add a burst of flavor. These are especially fun to incorporate if you have an adventurous eater at home.

What To Serve with Crockpot Casserole

This easy taco casserole recipe is a flavorful dish that can be served as is. You can add variety and color to the meal by offering an array of taco toppings.

If on the search for side dishes, consider:

Mexican Rice or Spanish Rice for a heartier dish
Homemade guacamole and Pico de Gallo for lighter options
Our Canned Corn Salad for a refreshing side that balances the richness of the casserole
Homemade gluten-free tortillas to turn into crockpot tacos
Velveeta cheese sauce for a creamy addition

Many times, we will serve this dish with additional Fritos on the side. The kids love to scoop the casserole with the corn chips instead of using utensils.

taco casserole in crockpot with taco toppings

Recipe Tips and Tricks

Choose chili cheese or spicy jalapeno Fritos instead of the original flavor for variety. Crushed tortilla chips or corn chips are also great alternatives to Fritos.
We have also skipped over the chips and scooped the casserole into tortilla shells for a fun twist on Taco Tuesday.
Add an additional can of beans for a vegetarian version and omit the ground meat.
If you have a picky eater or child struggling to eat enough vegetables, consider adding chopped bell peppers into the meat mixture.
Make a batch of homemade taco seasoning instead of using a packet of seasoning.
Add a splash of hot salsa, hot sauce or chopped jalapenos to the crockpot for a spicy version.

spoon in a slow cooker scooping taco casserole

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make taco casserole ahead of time?

Yes, this dish can be prepared ahead of time. You can assemble in the slow cooker insert then refrigerate overnight. The next morning, place the insert filled with ingredients into the base. Another option would be to cook a large batch of taco meat ahead of time. You can then use it in this recipe and other Gluten-Free Ground Beef Recipes during the week.

Do you have to precook the ground beef?

Yes, we highly recommend spending the time to precook the ground beef before adding to the slow cooker. Otherwise, the ground beef might have an unappealing texture and taste.

How do I prevent the chips from getting soggy?

To maintain the crispiness of the chips, layer on top instead of on the bottom of the casserole. You can also add extra chips on the side for added crunch. When serving as leftovers, add new chips to the top.

Can I make taco casserole dairy-free?

Yes, swap the cheese for a dairy-free alternative or skip the cheese altogether. You will also want to verify the chips you pick do not contain milk ingredients.

How long does it take to cook taco casserole in the crockpot?

Cook for 2-4 hours on high or 6-8 hours on low.

What is the best way to clean a crockpot?

Make the cleanup process easier by following these steps to successfully clean the crockpot. First, allow the slow cooker to cool then remove any remaining food. Soak the crockpot insert by filling with warm, soapy water. Next, use a soft sponge or cloth to wipe it clean. Allow the crockpot to dry completely before storing. To make cleaning even easier, consider using a slow cooker liner.

Storage & Reheating Instructions

Allow the casserole to cool to room temperature before storing. If you still have a large batch left, consider diving it into smaller portions. This prevents the entire casserole from being reheated multiple times.
Once cool, transfer to airtight container(s) and store this taco casserole recipe in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
If you want to freeze this casserole, wrap the leftovers in plastic wrap then place in a resealable container. Store leftovers for up to 3 months.
To reheat, place in a preheated 350°F oven until it’s heated through, and the internal temperature is 165°F. You can also microwave in 30-second increments until hot.
If expecting leftovers, store the Fritos separately and layer before reheating the casserole either in the oven or microwave. This way, you can maintain their crunchiness.

Kids In The Kitchen

Cooking tips and suggestions for kids making this recipe.

It is very important to drain both the beans and corn for this recipe to prevent a watery casserole. Ask for help when using a can opener. Drain by dumping the ingredients into a colander over the sink. Hold the colander over the sink until the dripping stops. Gently shake the colander to remove any excess liquid then pour the ingredients into the pan with the cooked meat.
To brown the ground meat, carefully add to a hot sauté pan. Break into large chunks then let it cook for 2-3 minutes. Continue to break and cook until there is no more pink. Remember to prevent the oven to 350°F before you start browning the ground meat.
Once you add the Fritos and other toppings to this taco casserole recipe, do not place the lid back on the slow cooker. This will make the chips soggy and warm the other chilled ingredients. Instead, serve right away.

Other Tex-Mex Recipes

CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.

The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.

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