Cheesy Taco Potato Casserole – A Crowd-Pleasing Dinner Idea Will Love

This Taco Potato Casserole blends all your favorite Tex-Mex flavors into one warm, satisfying, and easy-to-make dish. Layers of tender potatoes, seasoned lean beef, melted cheese, and creamy sauce make it the ultimate crowd-pleasing dinner. Perfect for meal prep or weeknight dinners, this lighter version keeps comfort at the center while staying balanced.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Hearty & Satisfying: Comforting layers of taco-seasoned meat and tender potatoes.
Wholesome Ingredients: Made with lean ground beef, light cheese, and simple pantry staples.
Meal Prep Friendly: Makes delicious leftovers and stores well.
Family Approved: Mild heat and classic flavors everyone will enjoy.

Ingredients

Main Casserole

• 1 lb lean ground beef (or ground turkey)
• 4 medium russet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1 cup diced tomatoes (canned or fresh)
• 1/2 cup light sour cream
• 1/2 cup low-fat shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 packet low-sodium taco seasoning
• 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk (or skim milk)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Chopped cilantro or green onion, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Prep the Oven and Potatoes

• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
• Lightly grease a 9×9-inch baking dish.
• Thinly slice the potatoes and set aside.

Cook the Meat

• In a skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and cook onions until softened (about 3–4 minutes).
• Add ground beef and cook until browned.
• Drain excess fat, stir in taco seasoning and diced tomatoes, and cook for another 2 minutes.

Layer the Casserole

• In the baking dish, arrange half the potato slices in an even layer.
• Top with half of the beef mixture.
• Spread a thin layer of sour cream and drizzle a bit of milk.
• Repeat with remaining potatoes, beef, sour cream, and milk.
• Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly on top.

Bake

• Cover with foil and bake for 35 minutes.
• Uncover and bake another 10–15 minutes, or until potatoes are tender and cheese is bubbly.

Serve

• Let cool for 5 minutes.
• Garnish with chopped cilantro or green onion if desired.
• Serve warm.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving, Approximate)

Calories: 290
Carbs: 27g
Protein: 22g
Fat: 11g
Fiber: 4g
Sugar: 3g

Tips for Success

• Slice Potatoes Evenly: For even cooking, keep potato slices uniform and thin.
• Add Veggies: Bell peppers or corn add extra color and nutrition.
• Make it Spicy: Add chopped jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the beef mixture.
• Dairy-Free Option: Use non-dairy cheese and sour cream alternatives if needed.

Why This Recipe Works

• Flavorful and Balanced: Taco spices and creamy layers bring excitement to a classic casserole.
• Easy to Adapt: Swap proteins or toppings to suit your tastes.
• One-Pan Simplicity: Everything bakes together—less cleanup, more time to enjoy.
• Satisfying Without Overdoing It: Lightened ingredients still deliver full flavor and comfort.

Taco Potato Casserole delivers the best of both worlds—hearty and cheesy like a comfort food should be, but made with lighter ingredients and wholesome additions. It’s the perfect family-friendly weeknight dinner or make-ahead meal that everyone will request again.