If you re looking for a Tex-Mex twist on comfort food that s perfect for busy weeknights or casual get-togethers, the Taco Bubble-Up Casserole Recipe is a game changer. I absolutely love how this dish layers bold taco flavors with gooey cheese and fluffy biscuit pieces, creating a cozy casserole that everyone reaches for seconds of.
When I first tried this Taco Bubble-Up Casserole Recipe, I was amazed by how simple it was to throw together but still felt special enough for company. Whether you re feeding a hungry family or bringing a dish to a potluck, it works beautifully thanks to quick prep and familiar, crowd-pleasing ingredients.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Speedy Prep: You can have this casserole assembled in under 20 minutes, perfect for busy nights.
- Family-Friendly Flavors: The taco-inspired ingredients make it a hit with kids and adults alike.
- Flexible Ingredients: It s easy to customize with different toppings and spice levels.
- One-Dish Wonder: Everything cooks together in one pan, meaning less cleanup and more time to enjoy.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Taco Bubble-Up Casserole Recipe adds something special-from the savory seasoned beef to the zesty enchilada sauce, and of course the fluffy biscuits that bubble up beautifully when baked. Shopping for good-quality spices and cheese will definitely elevate the dish.
- Lean ground beef: I prefer 90% lean to keep things juicy without too much grease.
- Taco seasoning: Using a store-bought packet makes this recipe ultra-easy, but you can also mix your own for a fresher flavor.
- Salsa: Go for your favorite kind, mild or spicy, to control the heat.
- Mild red enchilada sauce: This adds rich flavor and keeps the casserole moist-don t skip it!
- Cheddar cheese: Shredded is best for melting evenly; sharp cheddar brings a nice tang.
- Green onions: They add a fresh bite and lovely color contrast.
- Large canned biscuits: These create the signature “bubble-up” texture and soak up the taco flavors beautifully.
- Assorted taco toppings: I love fresh lettuce, diced tomato, sour cream, and extra salsa to finish it off.
Variations
One of the best parts about this Taco Bubble-Up Casserole Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. I often experiment with different cheeses or toss in black beans and corn for extra texture and nutrition. Feel free to personalize it to match your tastes or dietary needs-you really can t go wrong.
- Meat-free version: Swap the ground beef for cooked lentils or a plant-based crumble, and it s still super tasty.
- Spicy kick: Add chopped jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce if you like a little heat; my family loves this twist.
- Cheese variations: Try pepper jack, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend for a different flavor profile.
- Green sauce swap: Use green enchilada sauce instead of red for a fresh, slightly tangier taste.
How to Make Taco Bubble-Up Casserole Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Beef and Mix in Sauces
Start by heating a large skillet over medium heat and browning the ground beef until it s no longer pink. I usually drain the excess grease to keep the casserole from getting too oily. Then, stir in your salsa, taco seasoning, and mild red enchilada sauce right into the pan, letting everything simmer together for a couple of minutes so the flavors meld nicely.
Step 2: Add Cheese, Scallions, and Biscuit Pieces
Remove the skillet from heat and mix in half of your shredded cheddar cheese and thinly sliced green onions. Then comes the fun part: cut each large canned biscuit into eight pieces-this is what bubbles up to create that amazingly soft texture-and stir them gently into the beef mixture. Be careful not to overmix to keep some biscuit pieces intact.
Step 3: Bake to Gooey Perfection
Transfer the entire mixture to your sprayed 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly. Pop it into a 375°F oven and bake for 20 minutes. After that, take it out and sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese on top before baking for another 5 minutes until the cheese is perfectly melted and bubbly. It s best to watch the cheese closely so it doesn t burn.
Step 4: Garnish and Serve
Once out of the oven, I love to sprinkle extra sliced green onions and pile on fresh taco toppings like shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, and a dollop of your favorite salsa. This gives the casserole a bright, fresh finish that balances the rich flavors baked in.
Pro Tips for Making Taco Bubble-Up Casserole Recipe
- Don t Overmix the Biscuits: To keep soft, fluffy biscuit pockets, gently fold them in rather than stirring rigorously.
- Balance Moisture: If your salsa or sauces are very watery, reduce a bit to avoid soggy casserole.
- Use Sharp Cheddar: It melts well but adds enough punch to complement the taco seasonings.
- Let It Rest: After baking, let the casserole sit for 5 minutes to set up; this makes serving cleaner and easier.
How to Serve Taco Bubble-Up Casserole Recipe
Garnishes
I m a big fan of topping this casserole with crunchy shredded lettuce, juicy diced tomatoes, a dollop of cool sour cream, and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro if I have it on hand. A squeeze of lime or a few sliced jalapeños can really brighten up the dish and add a little zing, making every bite exciting.
Side Dishes
This recipe stands perfectly on its own, but I often serve it with a simple side of Mexican rice or a crisp green salad. Refried beans or a bowl of tortilla chips with guacamole also complement the star flavors beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For gatherings, I like to serve this in a pretty ceramic dish and let everyone customize their portions with a colorful taco bar of toppings. Another fun idea is to bake it in individual ramekins for personal servings – it feels extra special and helps with portion control.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After the casserole cools, I usually cover it tightly with foil or plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator. It keeps well for up to 3 days, which means you ve got plenty of tasty lunches or dinners waiting to be reheated.
Freezing
I ve successfully frozen this Taco Bubble-Up Casserole Recipe by assembling it in a freezer-safe dish and wrapping it well. When ready, thaw overnight and bake as directed. Just note that the biscuits can become a bit softer after freezing, but the flavor stays spot on.
Reheating
To reheat, I cover the casserole loosely with foil and warm it in a 350°F oven until heated through, about 15-20 minutes. Avoid microwaving if you can, as the biscuit pieces don t retain their texture as well, but it does work in a pinch.
FAQs
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Can I make the Taco Bubble-Up Casserole Recipe vegetarian?
Absolutely! You can replace the ground beef with plant-based crumbles, cooked lentils, or black beans. Just make sure to season it well with the taco seasoning and other ingredients to keep all those classic flavors.
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What if I don t have canned biscuits?
If canned biscuits aren t available, you can try cubed refrigerator biscuit dough or even small chunks of crescent roll dough. The idea is to have soft, pillowy dough pieces that bake into tasty bite-sized pockets.
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Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the mixture the day before and keep it refrigerated until ready to bake. Just add the cheese topping right before baking to ensure it melts perfectly and stays fresh.
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How spicy is the casserole?
The spice level is mild by default, thanks to the mild enchilada sauce and choice of salsa. If you prefer more heat, feel free to add jalapeños, spicier salsa, or hot sauce to taste.
Final Thoughts
This Taco Bubble-Up Casserole Recipe has become a staple in my kitchen because it s reliable, delicious, and downright fun to eat. I love how it combines all those taco flavors with a comforting texture that feels special but isn t fussy. Give it a try on your next busy night-you ll love how quickly it comes together and the smiles it brings around the table!
Print
Taco Bubble-Up Casserole Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
Description
This Taco Bubble-Up Casserole is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish combining seasoned ground beef, cheese, and biscuits baked together and topped with classic taco garnishes. Perfect for a family dinner or casual gathering, it delivers all the delicious elements of a taco in a comforting, bubbly casserole form.
Ingredients
Meat and Seasoning
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 ounce envelope taco seasoning
- 2/3 cup salsa
- 1 can (10 ounces) Mild Red Enchilada Sauce
Cheese and Vegetables
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions, divided
Base and Toppings
- 8 cans large canned biscuits
- Assorted taco toppings such as lettuce, tomato, salsa, and sour cream
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius) to get it ready for baking the casserole.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook Ground Beef: In a large pan over medium heat, brown the 1 pound of lean ground beef until fully cooked and no longer pink. Drain off any excess grease to reduce fat.
- Add Seasoning and Sauces: Stir in ⅔ cup salsa, 1 can (10 ounces) Mild Red Enchilada Sauce, and 1 ounce envelope of taco seasoning into the cooked beef, mixing well to combine flavors.
- Add Cheese and Onions: Add half of the shredded 2 cups cheddar cheese and half of the ½ cup thinly sliced green onions to the beef mixture and stir until evenly incorporated.
- Prepare Biscuits: Cut each of the 8 canned large biscuits into eight pieces, then add them to the beef mixture. Gently mix everything together without crushing the biscuit pieces.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the combined mixture evenly into the prepared 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it out smoothly.
- Bake Initial Stage: Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 20 minutes to allow the biscuits to cook through and the flavors to meld.
- Add Remaining Cheese: Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese on top evenly.
- Bake Final Stage: Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven and garnish with the remaining sliced green onions and your favorite taco toppings such as lettuce, tomato, salsa, and sour cream. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- To reduce fat, use lean ground beef or substitute with ground turkey.
- You can customize the taco toppings based on preference, adding avocado, jalapeños, or olives.
- Cooking times may vary depending on your oven; ensure the biscuits are cooked through before serving.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the canned biscuits with gluten-free biscuit dough.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of casserole (approx. 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
