Doritos Locos Taco Casserole

Doritos Locos Taco Casserole

8 servings
At one point in history Taco Bell removed their Doritos Locos Tacos from their menu. But, after the uproar from the community they swiftly put it back on. So, I decided to turn the Doritos Locos Tacos into a casserole and let me tell you it is wildly delicious! The best way to serve this after you make your masterpiece is topped with shredded lettuce, tomatoes, Taco Bell hot sauce, sour cream, and you are going to turn it into a taco salad. Even though there are doritos baked into this casserole instead of serving it with a fork, give a side of doritos to scoop up this taco casserole salad and oh baby it is good!! Make it!

Ingredients

  • olive oil
    1 tbsp
  • ground chuck
    1 ½ lb
  • a yellow onion

    chopped

    ½
  • garlic cloves

    chopped

    4
  • packet of taco seasoning
    1 oz
  • can fire roasted tomatoes
    14.5 oz
  • can rotel diced tomatoes and green chilis
    10 oz
  • cans tomato sauce
    2
  • water
    ½ c
  • salt
    ¼ tsp
  • cracked black pepper
    ½ tsp
  • cream cheese

    softened

    8 oz
  • sour cream
    8 oz
  • cooked white rice
    4 c
  • taco seasoning
    1 ½ tbsp
  • whole nacho cheese doritos
    3 c
  • freshly shredded colby jack cheese
    8 oz
  • freshly shredded cheddar cheese
    4 oz
  • for serving: shredded lettuce

    tomatoes, sour cream, hot sauce

Directions

  1. 1

    Heat up a pan with olive oil and add in the ground beef. Break up the beef using a wooden spoon or meat masher and then add in the onions and garlic. Saute that on a medium high heat until the meat is brown. Once the meat is brown, use a paper towel and mop up most of the excess oil in the pan, leaving about 2 tbsp of oil in the pan. Then, shake in the packet of taco seasoning and saute that in with the ground beef.

  2. 2

    Next, pour in the can of fire roasted tomatoes, Rotel, both cans of tomato sauce, and fill one of the empty cans of tomato sauce with a ½ cup of water, swish the water around to get the excess tomato sauce out, and pour that into the pan as well. Next add in salt and cracked black pepper and stir everything together. Now bring the pan to a boil, then lower it to a simmer, and let that simmer for about 10 - 15 minutes.

  3. 3

    While that's simmering, in a large measuring cup or bowl, add in cream cheese, sour cream, cooked white rice, and 1 ½ tbsp taco seasoning. Mix that together until fully combined and set it aside.

  4. 4

    Now it's time to assemble the casserole! Grease a large deep dish baking dish and begin layering:- Layer 1: Thin layer of the meat sauce - Layer 2: Half the creamy rice mixture - Layer 3: Take half of the Doritos, roughly crush them up, and sprinkle them over the top (don't crush them to small or they will become mushy) - Layer 4: Half of the freshly shredded colby jack cheese - Layer 5: More of the meat sauce - Layer 6: The rest of the creamy rice mixture - Layer 7: Freshly shredded cheddar cheese - Layer 8: The rest of the meat sauce - Layer 9: The rest of the Doritos, roughly crush them up, and sprinkle them over the top (don't crush them to small or they will become mushy) - Layer 10: The rest of the freshly shredded colby jack cheese

  5. 5

    Bake it in the oven at 350°F for about 25 - 30 minutes. If the casserole starts getting too browned on top, spray a piece of aluminum foil with non-stick cooking spray, and place it spray side down loosely over the casserole to cover it.

  6. 6

    Once it's done, garnish it with some shredded lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, and hot sauce. Enjoy!

Doritos Locos Taco Casserole

Doritos Locos Taco Casserole

60 min8 servings1278 cal

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About this Recipe

Remember when Taco Bell briefly removed their beloved Doritos Locos Tacos? The outcry was real! If you’ve been missing that signature crunchy, cheesy, beefy goodness, get ready, because this Doritos Locos Taco Casserole brings all those iconic flavors right to your dinner table in an exciting new format. It's wildly delicious and a true family favorite.

What makes this casserole truly special is how it captures the essence of the Doritos Locos Taco while making it incredibly satisfying as a main course. You’ll find layers of seasoned ground chuck, a rich tomato base with fire-roasted tomatoes and Rotel, creamy elements from sour cream and cream cheese, fluffy white rice, and of course, plenty of melted Colby Jack and cheddar cheese. But the real game-changer? Nacho Cheese Doritos baked right into the casserole, providing that irresistible crunch and distinctive flavor.

Expect a symphony of textures and flavors with every bite. This casserole delivers savory, seasoned beef and a tangy tomato sauce, balanced by creamy, melted cheese and the tender bite of white rice. The genius lies in the integrated Doritos, which soften slightly while still providing a delightful, cheesy crunch throughout, elevating it beyond a standard taco casserole. It’s a hearty, comforting dish that’s perfect for a weeknight meal or feeding a crowd at a party.

Feel free to customize this dish to your liking. While Nacho Cheese Doritos are essential for the classic "Locos Taco" experience, you could experiment with a different Doritos flavor if you're feeling adventurous. For a richer cheese pull, consider adding a touch more Colby Jack or Monterey Jack. If you prefer a bit more heat, a pinch of cayenne pepper in the beef mixture would be fantastic.

The best way to serve this masterpiece is to transform it into a taco salad. Top generous scoops with fresh shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, a dollop of sour cream, and a drizzle of your favorite Taco Bell hot sauce. And here’s a pro tip: instead of a fork, serve a side of extra Nacho Cheese Doritos to scoop up every last bit of this incredible taco casserole salad. Oh baby, it is good!

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