Doritos Taco Casserole
This Doritos Taco Casserole recipe is layers of seasoned ground beef, Doritos, shredded cheese, lettuce, tomato and catalina dressing! A huge family favorite!
A FUN TACO SALAD CASSEROLE
This Doritos Taco Casserole is always a huge hit no matter where I take it. It is layers of flavorful goodness that no one can resist. It Is easily customizable to your family’s tastes. I promise though that wherever you take this casserole, you will come home with an empty dish!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
I go crazy with toppings on this because I love it all. I definitely put a dollop of sour cream on top. I also love sliced jalapeños, guacamole and salsa!
If you’d like, you can have your family to add their own toppings. Put the shredded lettuce, shredded cheese, tomatoes, sour cream, etc. in bowls and everyone can add their favorites! Or, if everybody prefers the same toppings, add the toppings before scooping and serving.
Instead of Catalina dressing, you can substitute with Russian or French dressing. Or you can also skip the dressing altogether and just drizzle a little taco sauce or salsa on top.
Sure. Ground beef can be swapped for ground chicken or ground turkey. Impossible meat could also be used. This is also really delicious if made with my Crock Pot Taco Meat.
Drained canned black beans or pinto beans can be added. If not eating it all in one sitting, I would wait to add the lettuce, tomatoes and cheese on top so it doesn’t get all soggy or gross.
You could totally make this with Cool Ranch Doritos if you like that flavor or even the spicy Doritos.
Store in a covered container for up to 3 days. Just keep in mind that the Doritos will get soggy and lose their crispiness. I do not recommend freezing – it just does not hold up well to refreezing then re-heating.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)
- ground beef– check out the FAQ section above for other meat ideas to try
- diced onion
- taco seasoning– use store bought or make your won homemade Taco Seasoning
- water
- cream of chicken soup– this adds creaminess to the casserole. If you don’t have any on hand, you can make your own homemade cream of chicken soup, or just omit it altogether.
- shredded cheddar cheese
- shredded monterey jack cheese
- Doritos- I used Nacho Cheese chips, but you can use the Cooler Ranch Doritos. Feel free to crush these up very finely if that makes it easier to eat.
- tomato
- lettuce
- Catalina dressing
HOW TO MAKE DORITOS TACO CASSEROLE:
Brown beef and onion in skillet, drain off any fat.
Add taco seasoning mix and water. Bring to a boil, then turn down heat and allow to simmer for 5-8 minutes. Turn off heat. Then stir in cream of chicken soup.
Preheat oven to 350f degrees. In a 9×13-inch pan, layer ingredients as listed: crushed Doritos, taco meat and about 2/3 of the shredded cheese.
Bake for 15 minutes (until cheese is fully melted)
Remove from oven and top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes and remaining shredded cheese. Drizzle with Catalina dressing.
Serve with any of your additional favorite taco toppings. Cook’s Note: You can skip adding the lettuce, tomato, cheese and Catalina dressing topping and just put them in some serving bowls and let everyone top the casserole how they like.
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Originally published: November 2017
Updated photos and republished: September 2024
Doritos Taco Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ cup diced onion
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- ⅔ cup water
- 10.75 ounce can cream of chicken soup
- 8 ounce package shredded cheddar cheese
- 8 ounce package shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 10.5 ounce bag Doritos, crushed
- 1 tomato, finely diced
- 1 head Romaine or iceberg lettuce, finely shredded
- 16 ounce bottle Catalina dressing
- additional toppings: sour cream, guacamole, salsa, jalapeños, sliced olives
Instructions
- Brown beef and onion in skillet, drain off any fat.
- Add taco seasoning mix and water. Bring to a boil, then turn down heat and allow to simmer for 5-8 minutes. Turn off heat. Stir in cream of chicken soup until combined well.
- Preheat oven to 350F degrees. In a 9 x 13-inch pan, layer ingredients as listed: crushed Doritos, taco meat and 2/3 of the shredded cheese.
- Bake uncovered for about 15 minutes (until cheese is fully melted)
- Remove from oven and top with finely shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes and remaining shredded cheese.
- Drizzle with Catalina dressing. Serve with any of your additional favorite taco toppings.
Video
Notes
- Please refer to my FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions) and ingredient list above for other substitutions or for the answers to the most common questions.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Can’t wait to try this! May I substitute shredded chicken? LOVE your recipes!
I made this and loved it but I made one change. I was skeptical about the Catalina dressing so I put the dressing on half and taco sauce on the other half. The side with the taco sauce, in my opinion, was better. This is definitely a recipe that I will keep in my repertoire.
This sounds super yummy but what could be a substitute for Catalina dressing? I do not like Catalina dressing lol thanks!
This is ABSOLUTELY THE BEST!!!! My husband says this should be one of our weekly meals… 12 year old grandson who is a very picky eater ate 2 HELPINGS!!!!
This was a hit in my house! Delicious! I’ll be making this again soon!
I made this today. My 3 children, all of whom love Doritos, enjoyed it.
I love hearing when the kiddos like a recipe! Thanks so much Brad!!
I make this as a taco salad and have for DECADES! I discovered it when we lived on the Air Force Academy grounds and another woman brought it to a cook out. I don’t add any soup mixes, just the taco mix to the meat. I get rave reviews whenever I make it.
Oh yes! I have that recipe too for Dorito Taco Salad. This is more of a casserole recipe so it’s a bit heartier. 🙂 https://www.thecountrycook.net/dorito-taco-salad/
I ate this very thing tonight what a co-wink-a-dink. Well, we do Taco Tuesdays and hardly ever miss on those. Anyways, I just wanted to add that we use the Nacho Cheese Tortilla Chips from Trader Joe’s. Let me just say (I am a Doritos fan 15 years strong) that I am officially done with Doritos. These chips are far better and “healthier” than Doritos without the MSG!
What type/brand of Catalina do you prefer? I don’t keep Catalina on hand so I would like to use the one you do. Cant wait to try this recipe and your recipes are the best. Thank you!
I have made taco salad like this for years but instead of Catalina dressing I mix equal parts mayo and salsa. I brown the burger and add the beans and dressing. Cut up a head of lettuce, add shredded cheese , crushed doritos and tomato stir in burger dressing and eat while warm.
Dear Crystal,
We have made taco salad with nacho doritos for many years too. For the dressing, people absolutely love this, mix Buttermilk Ranch, Wishbone zesty Italian, and Dorothy Lynch (Nebraska).
Can’t wait to try this. Grandkids will love it!
This looks excellent..right up my family’s alley for their taste buds !
Thank you Robyn!!
Pssssh. Anyone who has a problem with Doritos has a problem with me. This sounds great!
Haha! Love ya Mary!