Cheesy Taco Bake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

Cheesy Taco Bake

Teresa Ambra

Okay, I have a super delish recipe for you today. Cheesy Taco Bake combines the best of tacos with something like a Tamale Pie, except the crust is on the bottom instead of on the top. And, instead of a cornbread crust this one is made with Bisquick and cilantro. The beef filling includes Fiesta corn, salsa, and Homemade Taco Seasoning. Cheddar cheese is melted on top and then sour cream, chopped tomatoes and even shredded lettuce or pico de gallo can be used as garnish. The flavors are wonderful and fully satisfying.

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I initially planned on making this for a potluck at our church in November, but after making Baked Pizza Pasta and remaking my original Taco Bake for it, I decided not to include this recipe, too. Instead, I ended up making it for us the next day. Granted, my husband’s not a great cilantro lover, but I am! I can’t get enough of the stuff. There’s a double dose of cilantro in the Bisquick crust and also on top with the toppings. Plus, if you enjoy good homemade salsa or guacamole they’re great sides for this dish. If you need to make this gluten free, Bisquick also offers a gluten free version.

I’ve actually made Cheesy Taco Bake twice. I made it again for a potluck at our church earlier last month when we had a “make your own taco” night. I thought this would be a nice addition for those who didn’t want to make tacos but wanted plenty of taco taste. This dish was completely cleaned out–almost to the last crumb! No kidding. It was extremely well received.

If you enjoy cheesy Tex-Mex dishes, you’ll love Cheesy Taco Bake. Especially if you add lots of great toppings like fresh cilantro, diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, sour cream, more salsa or guacamole. Yes, you’ll be swooning for sure.

Cheesy Taco Bake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | amazing #Tex-Mex entree with a #Bisquick & Cilantro crust, filled with #beef #corn and #salsa and topped with #cheese.

Cheesy Taco Bake is a wonderful Tex-Mex entree. You can serve it plain, or with salsa, sour cream, extra cheese, cilantro and diced tomatoes.

Cheesy Taco Bake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | amazing #Tex-Mex entree with a #Bisquick & Cilantro crust, filled with #beef #corn and #salsa and topped with #cheese.

The Bisquick crust with cilantro is awesome!

Cheesy Taco Bake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | amazing #Tex-Mex entree with a #Bisquick & Cilantro crust, filled with #beef #corn and #salsa and topped with #cheese.

Cheesy Taco Bake is really easy to make, too.

Here’s what I did.

Cheesy Taco Bake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | amazing #Tex-Mex entree with a #Bisquick & Cilantro crust, filled with #beef #corn and #salsa and topped with #cheese.

I used these ingredients. I made my own Homemade Taco Seasoning.

Cheesy Taco Bake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | amazing #Tex-Mex entree with a #Bisquick & Cilantro crust, filled with #beef #corn and #salsa and topped with #cheese.

Combine Bisquick, cilantro and water. Stir until well mixed.

Cheesy Taco Bake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | amazing #Tex-Mex entree with a #Bisquick & Cilantro crust, filled with #beef #corn and #salsa and topped with #cheese.

Grease a 9×13″ glass baking dish. Spread BisquCheesy Taco Bake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | amazing #Tex-Mex entree with a #Bisquick & Cilantro crust, filled with #beef #corn and #salsa and topped with #cheese.

Brown ground beef in a large skillet. Add salsa, Fiesta corn and Taco Seasoning.

Cheesy Taco Bake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | amazing #Tex-Mex entree with a #Bisquick & Cilantro crust, filled with #beef #corn and #salsa and topped with #cheese.

Stir to combine and heat through.

Cheesy Taco Bake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | amazing #Tex-Mex entree with a #Bisquick & Cilantro crust, filled with #beef #corn and #salsa and topped with #cheese.

Spread beef mixture over top of Bisquick layer.

Cheesy Taco Bake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | amazing #Tex-Mex entree with a #Bisquick & Cilantro crust, filled with #beef #corn and #salsa and topped with #cheese.

Bake at 400 about 30-35 until done.

Cheesy Taco Bake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | amazing #Tex-Mex entree with a #Bisquick & Cilantro crust, filled with #beef #corn and #salsa and topped with #cheese.

Add cheddar cheese and bake an additional 5-10 minutes until cheese melts.

Cheesy Taco Bake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | amazing #Tex-Mex entree with a #Bisquick & Cilantro crust, filled with #beef #corn and #salsa and topped with #cheese.

This makes about 8 large servings.

Cheesy Taco Bake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | amazing #Tex-Mex entree with a #Bisquick & Cilantro crust, filled with #beef #corn and #salsa and topped with #cheese.

Beef, corn, salsa and lots of cheese make for one scrumptious main dish.

Cheesy Taco Bake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | amazing #Tex-Mex entree with a #Bisquick & Cilantro crust, filled with #beef #corn and #salsa and topped with #cheese.

While we preferred to serve this with sour cream, cilantro, tomatoes and extra cheese, you can also serve this plain.

Here’s the recipe.

CHEESY TACO BAKE

(Recipe adapted from Sweet Little Bluebird; source: adapted from Betty Crocker)

Cheesy Taco Bake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

Cheesy Taco Bake

Teresa Ambra
Cheesy Taco Bake is outstanding. This amazing Tex-Mex entree has a Bisquick and cilantro crust, a beef, corn and salsa layer, then it's topped with cheddar cheese & your favorite toppings. So Easy and delicious that it will soon become your favorite week-night meal!
4.02 from 57 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Beef
Cuisine Tex-Mex
Servings 12
Calories 357 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 9x13" glass baking dish
  • 1 large mixing bowl
  • 1 wooden spoon
  • 1 large skillet
  • 1 hamburger chopper to break the meat up into small pieces while frying
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups bisquick
  • 2 tbsp. fresh cilantro minced
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 2 lbs. 90% lean ground beef
  • 1 pkg. Homemade Taco Seasoning or one taco seasoning packet
  • 16 oz. jar chunky salsa
  • 11 oz. can Fiesta corn or Mexicorn, drained
  • 2 cups sharp Cheddar cheese or Monterey Jack-Colby Cheese blend
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup shredded lettuce
  • 1/2 cup tomatoes diced
  • 1/2 cup olives sliced

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 400°.
  • Combine Bisquick, cilantro and water and stir to combine until moistened.
  • Spread into a 9x13” greased glass baking dish.
  • Brown beef and drain.
  • Chop the beef down with a hamburger chopper into small pieces while frying.
  • Remove from heat.
  • Add taco seasoning, salsa and corn.
  • Stir to combine and spread into baking dish on top of Bisquick layer.
  • Bake at 400° about 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center shows the Bisquick layer is done.
  • Remove from oven.
  • Spread with cheddar cheese.
  • Bake an additional 5-10 minutes until cheese melts.
  • Serve individual servings with sour cream, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes and sliced olives, as desired.

Notes

Recipe source: adapted from Betty Crocker.
 
© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen

Nutrition

Calories: 357kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 23gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 74mgSodium: 861mgPotassium: 486mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 675IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 208mgIron: 3mg
Keyword beef, casserole, cheese, ground beef, main dish, Tex Mex
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

 

[b]Cheesy Taco Bake[/b]
Recipe Type: Beef
Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Author: Teresa Ambra adapted from [url href=”http://www.sweetlittlebluebird.com/2014/09/cheesy-taco-bake.html” target=”_blank”]Sweet Little Bluebird[/url]; source: adapted from [url href=”http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/beef-taco-bake/3b084cca-a13d-4f61-8ffd-844057a96907″ target=”_blank”]Betty Crocker[/url]
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 8
This amazing entree has a Bisquick and cilantro crust, a beef, corn and salsa layer then topped with cheddar cheese. Easy and delicious.
Ingredients
  • 2 cups Bisquick
  • 2 tbsp. fresh cilantro, minced
  • ¾ cup water
  • 2 lbs. 90% lean ground beef
  • 1 pkg. [url href=”http://cantstayoutofthekitchen.com/2012/09/03/homemade-taco-seasoning/” target=”_blank”]Homemade Taco Seasoning[/url]
  • 16-oz. chunky salsa
  • 11-oz. can Fiesta corn or Mexicorn, drained
  • 2 cups sharp Cheddar cheese or Monterey Jack-Colby Cheese blend
  • Sour cream
  • Toppings of your choice (sour cream, lettuce, tomatoes, olives, etc.)
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400°.
  2. Combine Bisquick, cilantro and water and stir to combine until moistened.
  3. Spread into a 9×13” greased glass baking dish.
  4. Brown beef and drain.
  5. Remove from heat.
  6. Add taco seasoning, salsa and corn.
  7. Stir to combine and spread into baking dish on top of Bisquick layer.
  8. Bake at 400° about 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center shows the Bisquick layer is done.
  9. Remove from oven.
  10. Spread with cheese.
  11. Bake an additional 5-10 minutes until cheese melts.
  12. Serve with sour cream and any toppings of your choice.
Cheesy Taco Bake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | amazing #Tex-Mex entree with a #Bisquick & Cilantro crust, filled with #beef #corn and #salsa and topped with #cheese.

Cheesy Taco Bake is a festive dish that’s great for any occasion.

Cheesy Taco Bake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | amazing #Tex-Mex entree with a #Bisquick & Cilantro crust, filled with #beef #corn and #salsa and topped with #cheese.

Every bite of Cheesy Taco Bake is mouthwatering.

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Taco Bake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is a super easy 7-ingredient dinner recipe. We love this #casserole. #Tex-Mex #glutenfree

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Frito Pie | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this easy 6-ingredient #recipe is absolutely terrific. The casserole has #TexMex flavors with layers of #beef mixed with #chili, #Fritos & lots of #cheese. #glutenfree #CincoDeMayo

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Tijuana Torte | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this fabulous #TexMex #casserole is absolutely mouthwatering. It's layered with flour #tortillas, a #beef mixture & lots of #cheese. Terrific for company dinners. #CincoDeMayo
Cheesy Taco Bake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

Cheesy Taco Bake

Teresa Ambra
Cheesy Taco Bake is outstanding. This amazing Tex-Mex entree has a Bisquick and cilantro crust, a beef, corn and salsa layer, then it's topped with cheddar cheese & your favorite toppings. So Easy and delicious that it will soon become your favorite week-night meal!
4.02 from 57 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Beef
Cuisine Tex-Mex
Servings 12
Calories 357 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 9×13" glass baking dish
  • 1 large mixing bowl
  • 1 wooden spoon
  • 1 large skillet
  • 1 hamburger chopper to break the meat up into small pieces while frying
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups bisquick
  • 2 tbsp. fresh cilantro minced
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 2 lbs. 90% lean ground beef
  • 1 pkg. Homemade Taco Seasoning or one taco seasoning packet
  • 16 oz. jar chunky salsa
  • 11 oz. can Fiesta corn or Mexicorn, drained
  • 2 cups sharp Cheddar cheese or Monterey Jack-Colby Cheese blend
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup shredded lettuce
  • 1/2 cup tomatoes diced
  • 1/2 cup olives sliced

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 400°.
  • Combine Bisquick, cilantro and water and stir to combine until moistened.
  • Spread into a 9×13” greased glass baking dish.
  • Brown beef and drain.
  • Chop the beef down with a hamburger chopper into small pieces while frying.
  • Remove from heat.
  • Add taco seasoning, salsa and corn.
  • Stir to combine and spread into baking dish on top of Bisquick layer.
  • Bake at 400° about 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center shows the Bisquick layer is done.
  • Remove from oven.
  • Spread with cheddar cheese.
  • Bake an additional 5-10 minutes until cheese melts.
  • Serve individual servings with sour cream, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes and sliced olives, as desired.

Notes

Recipe source: adapted from Betty Crocker.
 
© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen

Nutrition

Calories: 357kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 23gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 74mgSodium: 861mgPotassium: 486mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 675IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 208mgIron: 3mg
Keyword beef, casserole, cheese, ground beef, main dish, Tex Mex
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

32 Comments

  • 30 Authentic Mexican Ground Beef Recipes – Comfortable Food

    October 2, 2023 at 5:28 am

    […] 30. Cheesy Taco Bake […]

  • Anonymous

    October 29, 2022 at 2:38 pm

    Just made this and it was a hit. Thinking it would also be great with a cornbread base. Any suggestions?

    1. Teresa

      October 31, 2022 at 7:27 am

      Absolutely! Why don’t you try one of my cornbread recipes? The southern-style cornbread would be good, but I would probably cut way back on sugar and honey. I would definitely add the cilantro with it but not the water. You may even try adding additional browned ground beef (see my sausage cornbread recipe for ideas and directions). Then just follow the rest of the recipe as in the first one. This is a great idea. I’ll have to try it that way myself!

  • Anonymous

    February 2, 2022 at 7:28 am

    Can you make a day ahead of time and bake later???

    1. Teresa

      February 3, 2022 at 3:32 am

      I’m afraid the crust layer would get kind of mushy and not hold up.

  • Anonymous

    April 30, 2021 at 2:49 pm

    I made my own bisquick

    1. Teresa

      May 6, 2021 at 8:01 am

      Great, I hope it turned out well for you.

  • Denise

    June 17, 2020 at 7:54 pm

    Cheesy taco bake was great !

    1. Teresa

      June 18, 2020 at 5:31 am

      So glad you liked it, Denise. Have a great week.

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    April 23, 2020 at 11:55 pm

    […] Cheesy Taco Bake By Can’t Stay Out of the […]

  • Megan

    October 15, 2019 at 4:18 pm

    I substituted 1# of beef for a can of refried beans, it was delicious!

    1. Teresa

      October 16, 2019 at 10:39 am

      Hi, Megan. So glad it turned out well for you that way. Thanks for sharing!

  • Cheesy Taco Bake – Holyrecipes.co.uk

    September 3, 2019 at 5:05 pm

    […] Jump To Recipe >> cantstayoutofthekitchen.com […]

  • Casie

    May 13, 2018 at 6:02 pm

    Can this be frozen for future? Would you bake before?

    1. Teresa

      May 14, 2018 at 6:27 am

      Hi, Casie. I think you can bake this and freeze it (without the toppings on top). I’ve never tried it before. I think you can possibly assemble it and freeze it that way too. Then defrost before baking or reheating. My only concern would be if you bake it twice that it might dry out the bottom crust layer. I would probably give it a try and see how it turns out.

  • Lori

    March 28, 2018 at 2:59 pm

    with the biscuit base, can it be cooked, then reheated? or will the biscuit base get soggy?

    1. Teresa

      March 29, 2018 at 6:23 am

      Hi, Lori. I think I’ve reheated this before and it turned out fine.

      1. Laurel Drover

        February 13, 2019 at 1:37 pm

        Can you use pancake mix instead of Bisquick?

        1. Teresa

          February 13, 2019 at 2:33 pm

          Hi Laurel, I’ve never tried it, but it might work fine.

    2. Racheal

      December 12, 2019 at 12:33 pm

      Do I have to use cilantro with bisquick

      1. Teresa

        December 12, 2019 at 1:12 pm

        Hi Racheal, no, but it sure tastes better with it rather than without it.

  • R. Wayne

    February 20, 2018 at 3:47 pm

    Why is there no PRINT option?

    1. Teresa

      February 20, 2018 at 4:43 pm

      Hi Wayne, Scroll down to the recipe card and you’ll see the blue printer icon on the top right hand corner. It says, “print recipe” right under the icon.

  • Brittany

    July 8, 2017 at 6:00 pm

    Wow I can’t wait to make this recpie. I love Mexican food. I saved this recpie to my Pinterest board what’s for dinner.

    1. Teresa

      July 8, 2017 at 8:20 pm

      Hope you enjoy it, Brittany.

  • Quick & Easy Weeknight Meals #10 – Mommy's Not Perfect

    April 26, 2016 at 7:47 pm

    […] Cheesy Taco Bake – We really liked this. I have a few changes I’m going to make to the recipe so stay tuned for a post for that. It’s good as-is but we think it could be better with a few tweaks. […]

  • Cheesy Mexican Cornbread Bake – Mommy's Not Perfect

    April 22, 2016 at 8:03 pm

    […] week we made the Cheesy Taco Bake I shared in Quick & Easy Weeknight Meals #9. We liked it but thought it could be improved so we […]

  • Quick & Easy Weeknight Meals #9 – Mommy's Not Perfect

    April 22, 2016 at 8:02 pm

    […] finally, there’s this Cheesy Taco Bake from Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen. I might either leave the Bisquick out or look for an alternative. Or, I might just put it in and […]

  • Anonymous

    April 1, 2016 at 8:14 pm

    I just made this and it’s delicious. Thank you so much for posting this the family loved it.

    1. Teresa

      April 2, 2016 at 8:17 pm

      Thanks so much. I thought it was delicious too. So glad your family liked it and hope you make it again. 🙂

  • Kim @The Baking ChocolaTess

    January 9, 2016 at 9:09 am

    It’s only 10:00 a.m. and this looks really good! Gotta make this for Superbowl Sunday! 😉

    1. Teresa

      January 9, 2016 at 10:03 am

      Hi, Kim. I think you’ll love it! Serve with any side you like – guacamole, salsa. Yum. 🙂

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