Name: Layered Taco Bake with Ground Beef Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef; 1 packet taco seasoning; 3/4 cup water (or as directed on seasoning packet); 1/2 cup salsa con queso; 3 (8-inch) flour tortillas; 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend (divided)

There's something wonderfully satisfying about a dish that combines all those bold taco flavors in one easy, cheesy, layered casserole. This Layered Taco Bake with Ground Beef Recipe is exactly that—comfort food with a Mexican twist, perfect for busy weeknights or casual get-togethers.

A round tortilla is fully covered with a layer of cooked ground meat mixed with melted yellow and white cheese, creating a marbled yellow and white texture on top. The edges of the tortilla are slightly crisp and browned from the cooked meat and cheese mixture. Behind the tortilla, there are two small white bowls placed on a white marbled surface: one bowl contains finely shredded pale yellow cheese, and the other holds diced red tomatoes. A clear glass bottle is partially visible on the left, and a striped blue and white cloth is underneath the tortilla and bowls. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Layered Taco Bake with Ground Beef Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Layered Taco Bake with Ground Beef Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Layered Taco Bake with Ground Beef Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Layered Taco Bake with Ground Beef Recipe has quickly become one of my go-to meals when I want something hearty but fuss-free. The beauty lies in the layers of seasoned beef, creamy queso, and melted cheese all nestled between soft tortillas—it’s just bursting with flavor and texture every bite.

Simple but Delicious: You only need a handful of ingredients to pull this together, yet it tastes like it took hours.
Family Friendly: Everyone from kids to adults will enjoy this – it hits that perfect balance of cheesy, meaty, and mildly spiced.
Perfect Make-Ahead Meal: You can easily prep it in advance and bake when ready – ideal for busy evenings.
Comfort Food with a Kick: The addition of salsa con queso gives that little extra creaminess and subtle heat that makes it memorable.

Ingredients & Why They Work

The ingredients come together like a party on your plate — seasoned beef, creamy queso salsa, melty cheese, and soft tortillas. Each one plays a key role in balancing the flavors and textures so that every forkful feels like a satisfying layered bite.

Flat lay of one pound of fresh ground beef, a small white ceramic bowl of bright red chunky salsa con queso, three soft 8-inch white flour tortillas stacked neatly, a small white ceramic bowl filled with a colorful shredded Mexican cheese blend, a small white ceramic bowl with clear water, and one packet of taco seasoning displayed as an opened kraft paper sachet alongside, all arranged with perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Ground beef: The base protein adds heartiness and soaks up all the taco seasoning flavors beautifully.
Taco seasoning: Brings the signature southwestern spices that make this dish unmistakably taco night.
Water: Helps the seasoning blend distribute evenly and keeps the beef juicy.
Salsa con queso: Adds creamy, cheesy heat – if you’re sensitive to spice, feel free to swap in a milder cheese dip.
Flour tortillas: These act as the “layers” – soft, pliable, and perfect for absorbing the beef and cheese juices without falling apart.
Mexican cheese blend: Melts and binds everything together with that classic oozing cheese pull we all adore.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this Layered Taco Bake with Ground Beef Recipe is how easy it is to tweak to your tastes. I like to switch up the cheeses or add a layer of beans for extra protein, but the basics give you a winning meal every time.

Variation: Once, I swapped out the salsa con queso for a mild green chile queso dip and added fresh cilantro on top – it gave the bake a nice fresh bite I loved.
Make it vegetarian: To go meatless, replace ground beef with seasoned lentils or sautéed mushrooms – both soak up the seasoning wonderfully.
Spice it up: If you like heat, throw in chopped jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce between layers for a fiery kick.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Layered Taco Bake with Ground Beef Recipe

A slice of food with two layers of a golden brown textured base, covered with ground meat mixed with melted light orange cheese, topped with a dollop of white cream and small diced red tomato pieces scattered on and around it, placed on a white plate with a white marbled surface in the background; two small clear glass bowls filled with shredded yellow cheese and diced tomatoes sit slightly blurred behind the plate photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Brown and season the ground beef perfectly

Start by browning 1 pound of ground beef in a hot skillet, breaking it up with your spatula as you go. Drain off any excess grease (this keeps the bake from getting greasy). Then stir in the taco seasoning along with the water amount called for on the packet (usually about ¾ cup). Simmer until the mixture thickens and the beef is optimally seasoned. This step is key — well-seasoned, moist beef is the heart of the dish.

Step 2: Stir in salsa con queso for creamy flavor

Once you take the skillet off the heat, mix in ½ cup of salsa con queso. This adds that rich, cheesy creaminess and a touch of spice that elevates the whole bake. If you find it too spicy, don’t hesitate to swap in a milder cheese sauce—your flavor preference is what matters!

Step 3: Layer your tortillas, beef mixture, and cheese

Now it’s time to assemble! Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly spray an 8-inch round baking pan with nonstick spray to prevent sticking. Lay down one flour tortilla as the base, then spread about one-third of the beef mixture evenly over the top. Sprinkle one-third of the shredded Mexican cheese blend on the beef. Repeat these layers two more times—tortilla, beef, cheese—finishing with cheese on top.

Step 4: Bake and enjoy!

Bake your layered creation at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly with just a hint of golden edges. Let it cool for a few minutes before slicing—it helps everything set up and avoids any cheesy oozing mess. Trust me, that waiting is worth it!

Top Tip

After making this Layered Taco Bake with Ground Beef Recipe multiple times, I’ve found a few tricks that make it even better and foolproof for sharing with you.

Drain well: Always drain your beef after browning—it keeps the bake from being greasy and helps the seasoning and queso flavors shine.
Don’t skip resting: Let the bake sit for 5-10 minutes after coming out of the oven so the layers settle. It makes slicing neater and servings less messy.
Use soft tortillas: Flour tortillas labeled “soft taco size” work best—too big or thick, and the ratio gets off; too small, and layers fall apart.
Customize cheese blend: I’ve had great luck mixing sharp cheddar with Monterey Jack for extra flavor depth—feel free to try your favorite combos!

How to Serve Layered Taco Bake with Ground Beef Recipe

Garnishes

I love topping each slice with a dollop of sour cream, some freshly chopped tomatoes, and a sprinkle of chopped green onions or cilantro. Avocado slices or a squeeze of lime add a nice refreshing contrast too. These garnishes brighten up the rich, cheesy layers.

Side Dishes

For sides, I usually go with a simple Mexican rice or a crisp green salad with lime vinaigrette. Sometimes a side of black beans or corn chips rounds out the meal perfectly without complicating it.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist at parties, I’ve made mini versions using smaller tortillas in a muffin tin, turning this into hand-held taco bites. Another time, I served it family-style with all the toppings laid out on the table—everyone loved building their own taco bake plates!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I cover leftovers tightly with foil or plastic wrap and keep them in the fridge. This bake reheats well and tastes great for 2-3 days, perfect for quick lunches or second dinners.

Freezing

I’ve frozen unbaked layered taco bakes by wrapping the pan securely with foil and plastic wrap. When you’re ready, just thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as usual—this makes meal prep a breeze.

Reheating

I reheat leftovers covered with foil in a 350°F oven for about 15 minutes or until warmed through, which helps maintain the cheesy melty goodness without drying out. Microwaving works too but can make the tortillas a bit chewy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas?

You can, but corn tortillas tend to be less flexible and might break or get too crisp when baked, so I recommend warming them up first to make them pliable or sticking with flour tortillas for best layering results.

What can I substitute for salsa con queso?

If salsa con queso is too spicy or you can’t find it, use any cheese dip or even a simple blend of cream cheese mixed with salsa. The goal is creaminess with a bit of flavor, so get creative with what you have!

Final Thoughts

I hope this Layered Taco Bake with Ground Beef Recipe becomes as much a staple in your kitchen as it is in mine. It’s the kind of comforting, flavorful dish that feels like a warm hug on a plate, straightforward enough to make anytime but special enough to impress family and friends. So grab those tortillas and get ready to layer up deliciousness—your next favorite dinner awaits!