Name: Layered Taco Bake with Ground Beef and Cheese 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 (as called for on back of seasoning packet); 1/2 cup salsa con queso; 3 (8-inch) flour tortillas (soft taco size); 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend, divided use

There’s something incredibly comforting about this Layered Taco Bake with Ground Beef and Cheese Recipe—it’s like all your favorite taco flavors wrapped up in a cozy casserole. The layers of seasoned beef, melty cheese, and soft tortillas make it a hands-down winner for family dinners or quick weeknight meals.

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 and Cheese Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Layered Taco Bake with Ground Beef and Cheese Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Layered Taco Bake with Ground Beef and Cheese Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I still remember the first time I made this layered taco bake—it was such a hit with everyone around the table. It’s not only delicious but also super simple to throw together, which is why it quickly became a go-to meal in my kitchen.

Effortless layering: The layers give you the perfect mix of flavors and textures in every bite without complicated prep.
Customizable: You can easily adjust spices, cheese, or toppings to suit your family’s taste buds.
Great for leftovers: It reheats beautifully without losing any of its fresh flavors or gooey texture.
Simple ingredients: No fancy or hard-to-find items here—just classic pantry staples that you probably already have.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Layered Taco Bake with Ground Beef and Cheese Recipe plays a specific role to create a perfectly balanced dish. From the seasoned beef to the creamy cheese, here’s why these components work so well together and what I watch for when shopping.

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 star of the dish, providing hearty protein and rich flavor; choose 80/20 for juiciness without excess grease.
Taco seasoning: Adds that classic bold Mexican flavor; I recommend using a good-quality packet or homemade blend for freshness.
Water: Enhances the seasoning to create a saucy consistency that keeps the bake moist and flavorful.
Salsa con queso: This cheesy, slightly spicy dip mixed into the beef adds creaminess and a touch of heat. If it’s too spicy for you, regular cheese dip works just fine.
Flour tortillas: Soft and pliable, they create the perfect layers that soak up flavors but still hold their structure after baking.
Shredded Mexican cheese blend: Melts beautifully to bind the layers and add gooey, cheesy goodness throughout.

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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

This Layered Taco Bake with Ground Beef and Cheese Recipe is super forgiving and fun to customize. I often switch up the types of cheese or sneak in extra veggies, and guess what? It still turns out amazing every time.

Variation: One time, I added some sautéed green chilies and black beans into the beef mixture, and it gave the bake a fantastic smoky twist that my family loved.
Dietary swaps: For a lighter version, swap ground beef with ground turkey or chicken. Or use corn tortillas instead of flour if you want gluten-free.
Extra heat lovers: Stir in some chopped jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to kick the spice level up a notch.
Vegetarian option: Replace ground beef with seasoned lentils or a plant-based taco meat substitute. Keep the layering the same to maintain that cozy bake feel.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Layered Taco Bake with Ground Beef and Cheese 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 the beef to perfection

Start by heating a skillet over medium heat and adding your pound of ground beef. Use a spatula to break it apart and cook until it’s nicely browned and no pink remains—this usually takes about 6 to 8 minutes. I like to drain any excess grease here to keep the bake from getting too oily.

Step 2: Season and add salsa con queso

Sprinkle in the taco seasoning packet and pour in the water as directed on the package. Stir everything together and let it simmer until the sauce thickens—usually around 3 to 5 minutes. Once you turn off the heat, stir in the salsa con queso to add creaminess and a burst of cheesy flavor.

Step 3: Layer your bake

Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease an 8-inch round baking pan with nonstick spray. Lay one flour tortilla flat at the bottom of the pan. Spoon about a third of the beef mixture evenly over the tortilla, then sprinkle a third of your shredded cheese on top. Repeat the layers twice more—tortilla, beef, cheese—until you’ve used everything up.

Step 4: Bake and enjoy

Place the layered taco bake in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes, until the cheese melts and the edges start to turn golden brown. Let it cool for a few minutes before slicing—it helps everything hold together and makes serving much easier.

Top Tip

I’ve made this Layered Taco Bake with Ground Beef and Cheese Recipe dozens of times, and a few tricks really make a difference. These tips will help you nail perfect texture and flavor every time without any stress.

Drain your beef well: Excess grease can make the bake soggy, so be sure to drain well after browning your meat.
Don’t skip the rest after baking: Letting it cool for just 5 minutes makes slicing neat and keeps the layers intact.
Use fresh cheese: Pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that sometimes affect melt quality, so I prefer shredding my own for that perfect gooeyness.
Even spreading: Make sure to spread your beef and cheese evenly between layers so every slice has a balanced flavor explosion.

How to Serve Layered Taco Bake with Ground Beef and Cheese Recipe

Garnishes

I always top my slices with a dollop of sour cream and diced tomatoes—nothing beats the freshness they add. Sometimes I’ll also sprinkle chopped cilantro or add sliced jalapeños if we’re craving a little kick.

Side Dishes

Pair this bake with a simple side salad dressed with lime vinaigrette or a scoop of Mexican-style rice. For extra crunch, I like serving tortilla chips on the side to scoop up any cheesy goodness that falls out.

Creative Ways to Present

For potlucks or casual dinners, I’ve presented this bake as individual portions in mini cast iron skillets—guaranteed crowd-pleaser and easy to serve! Another fun idea is layering in colorful tortillas (like spinach or tomato) for a festive twist.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I cover the bake tightly with foil or plastic wrap and keep leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheating slices in the oven helps maintain that fresh-from-the-oven texture better than the microwave.

Freezing

This recipe freezes wonderfully. I usually make the bake fully assembled, wrap it tightly in foil and plastic wrap, then freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw in the fridge overnight and bake as usual.

Reheating

To reheat, place your portion on a baking sheet and warm at 350°F for 10-15 minutes or until heated through and the cheese is melty again. This brings back the fresh-baked texture way better than microwaving.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas?

Absolutely! Corn tortillas work well and add a slight different texture. Just soften them slightly before layering to prevent cracking during baking.

What can I substitute for salsa con queso if I can’t find it?

You can easily swap salsa con queso with a regular cheese dip or even a smooth shredded cheese sauce. If you want less heat, a mild cream cheese spread mixed with a little salsa works great too.

How do I prevent the bake from getting soggy?

Drain the cooked ground beef thoroughly and avoid using too much liquid during seasoning. Also, letting the bake rest for a few minutes after baking helps the layers set and prevents sogginess when slicing.

Can I add vegetables to this Layered Taco Bake?

Definitely! Chopped bell peppers, onions, or even corn add great flavor and texture. I like sautéing them first to soften before adding to the beef mixture to keep the bake from getting watery.

Final Thoughts

This Layered Taco Bake with Ground Beef and Cheese Recipe remains one of my favorite easy dinners to whip up—comfort food that feels homemade and fun. I hope you’ll give it a try and see just how simple it is to create layers of savory, cheesy goodness that everyone at your table will love as much as mine do.