Spicy Nacho Bake
If you enjoy Tex-Mex casseroles, you’re sure to love this Spicy Nacho Bake. The filling includes ground beef, chili beans, diced tomatoes, black beans, corn and taco seasoning between layers of Nacho Cheese Doritos and Cheddar cheese. It’s a scrumptious recipe and not so difficult to toss together either.
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I had a Tex-Mex night for friends back in early March. I served this dish as the entree. I added Beefy Taco Dip and my Chunky Homemade Guacamole for appetizers, Southwestern Layered Salad and Chunky Maple Applesauce for the side dishes, and an East Texas Mexican Cornbread for the bread. Others brought appetizers and dessert. What a night of wonderful food!
This recipe is very similar to my Taco Bake recipe that’s gone viral on Pinterest with over 1 million pins! Spicy Nacho Bake has a little more in the filling and substitutes Nacho Cheese Doritos for the Tortilla Chips in the recipe. But it’s very similar in content and layering. If your family enjoys Tex-Mex entrees, this Spicy Nacho Bake is one you’ll want to give a try.
I’ve made this recipe in early March and again at the end of April. The first batch of pictures were not especially good. It was very dark that day and I didn’t get any really decent selections. When I made the recipe the second time, I made some substantial changes. I added a pound of cheddar cheese! I put cheese between the layers and not just on top of the casserole. I also removed about half of the Nachos so the casserole would turn out more meaty and cheesy and not dried out from too many chips.
My husband told me those changes were so good and to not change it again because that addition (and subtraction) were perfect corrections to the original Taste of Home recipe. We enjoy cheesy Tex-Mex dishes that are not dry, so this improved version of Spicy Nacho Bake should really wet your whistle!
Spicy Nacho Bake is delightful.
My husband even enjoyed the leftovers reheated with a little extra cheese on top.
This Tex-Mex entree takes about an hour to prepare and cook.
If you enjoy Tex-Mex dinners, this one is sure to please!
Here’s what I did.
I used these ingredients.
In a Dutch oven over medium heat, crumble lean ground beef.
Use a hamburger chopper to cut beef down into small pieces while frying.
Add onions and green pepper.
Continue frying until beef is no longer pink and vegetables are tender.
Add diced tomatoes, chili beans, black beans, corn and tomato sauce.
Add Taco Seasoning. I used Homemade Taco Seasoning. I can whip it up in about 2 minutes and it’s a lot healthier than anything in the packets.
Stir to combine. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and cook about 30 minutes. Mixture will be thin.
Layer Nacho Cheese Doritos in the bottom of a 9×13″ glass baking dish.
Spoon a layer of filling over top.
Add two cups of Cheddar Cheese.
Add another layer of Nacho Cheese Doritos.
Top with remaining filling.
Top with another layer of two cups of cheese. I think I used Monterey Jack and Colby cheese here.
Top with final layer of Nacho Cheese Doritos.
Spread two cups of Cheddar Cheese, Taco cheese, Fiesta Cheese, or any other cheddar blended cheese on top.
Bake 15 minutes at 350 degrees.
If desired, sprinkle servings with extra cheddar cheese and green onions.
Spicy Nacho Bake is terrific for a Tex-Mex dinner.
“Spicy” is relative. You can make this recipe spicier or less spicy, depending on how you like it!
This layered casserole is so fun to eat!
Here’s the recipe.
SPICY NACHO BAKE
(Recipe adapted from Taste of Home, Annual Recipes, 2008, pg. 150)
Spicy Nacho Bake
Equipment
- 1 large Dutch oven with lid
- 1 9×13" glass baking dish
- 1 hamburger chopper to cut the beef down in small pieces while frying
- 1 sharp knife to cut vegetables
- 1 cutting board
- measuring cups
- measuring spoons
Ingredients
- 1 lb. 93% lean ground beef
- 1 large onion chopped
- 1 large green bell pepper chopped
- 28 oz. can diced tomatoes undrained
- 15.5 oz. can hot chili beans or mixed chili beans
- 15 oz. can black beans rinsed and drained
- 11 oz. can whole kernel corn or Mexi-corn or Southwestern Corn
- 8 oz. can tomato sauce
- 1 packet Taco Seasoning or homemade taco seasoning
- 13 oz. bag spicy Nacho Cheese Doritos (see note below)
- 5 cups sharp Cheddar cheese shredded (see note below)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350º.
- Grease a 9×13” glass baking dish; set aside.
- In a Dutch oven, brown the beef, onion and bell pepper over medium heat.
- Cook until beef is no longer pink.
- Use a hamburger chopper to chop the ground beef into small pieces while frying.
- Drain off any grease.
- Stir in tomatoes, beans, corn, tomato sauce and taco seasoning.
- Bring ingredients to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for about 30 minutes. (Mixture will be thin).
- Layer 3 cups of Doritos chips in the bottom of baking dish.
- Spoon 4 2/3 cups beef mixture over top of Dorito chips.
- Sprinkle beef mixture with 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese.
- Repeat layers once.
- Top casserole with 3 cups of Nacho Doritos Chips.
- Top with 2 cups of cheese.
- Bake, uncovered at 350º for 15-20 minutes, or until casserole is golden brown.
- Garnish casserole with sliced green onions, if desired.
Notes
Recipe adapted from Taste of Home.
© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen
Nutrition
Doritos, cheddar cheese and a tasty Tex Mex-style filling is ready to serve in about an hour.
Every bite is ooey, gooey, cheesy good!
Time to dig in!
Spicy Nacho Bake is like eating Nachos but in casserole form. So delicious!
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