Easy Dorito Casserole: A Family-Favorite Dinner

Dive into the ultimate comfort food with this incredibly easy Dorito casserole. It combines seasoned ground beef, a creamy sauce, and cheesy layers, all topped with crispy, savory Doritos. This recipe delivers big flavor and a satisfying crunch in every bite, making it a perfect quick and satisfying meal for any night of the week. Get ready to add this cheesy, crunchy delight to your dinner rotation!

Why You’ll Love This Dorito Casserole

• Quick Weeknight Solution: Prepare this delicious Dorito casserole in under an hour, making dinner a breeze even on busy evenings.
• Kid-Friendly Flavors: The familiar taste of Doritos and seasoned beef makes this a guaranteed hit with children and picky eaters.
• Crowd-Pleaser: This Dorito casserole is perfect for potlucks, game day gatherings, or any time you need to feed a hungry crowd.
• Simple Ingredients: You only need a handful of common pantry staples for this incredibly flavorful dish.
• Customizable: Easily adapt the ingredients to suit your family’s preferences or what you have on hand.

Ingredients for Dorito Casserole

Gather these simple ingredients to create your next favorite Dorito casserole:

• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 pound ground beef (90% lean recommended)
• 1/2 cup onion, finely diced
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1 1/2 cups red salsa
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar and Monterey Jack blend)
• 4 cups Doritos chips (Nacho Cheese flavor)
• 1/2 cup tomatoes, diced
• 1/4 cup green onions, sliced
• Cooking spray
• Optional toppings: sour cream, cilantro, olives, jalapeños

Notes & Substitutions

For the ground beef, using 90% lean helps reduce excess grease, meaning less draining. You can learn more about tips for cooking with ground beef and how to manage fat content. If you use a higher fat content, simply drain off the extra fat before adding other ingredients. Feel free to experiment with other Doritos flavors like Cool Ranch or Spicy Nacho to change up the taste profile. Any shredded cheese blend works well here; a Mexican blend or even just sharp cheddar would be delicious. You can use homemade salsa for a fresher taste, or a good quality jarred salsa for convenience.

Equipment Needed

You will need a few basic kitchen tools to make this delightful Dorito casserole:

• Large skillet: Essential for browning the ground beef and sautéing the onions.
• Baking dish: A 2–3 quart dish is perfect for this recipe.
• Spatula: For stirring and breaking up the meat.
• Measuring cups and spoons: To ensure accurate ingredient proportions.

How to Make Dorito Casserole (Step-by-Step)

Making this flavorful Dorito casserole is super simple. Just follow these easy steps:

First, preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly coat a 2–3 quart baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Next, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 4–5 minutes, or until it’s just browned, using a spatula to break up the meat into crumbles. Add the finely diced onion to the skillet and cook for another 3–4 minutes until it becomes translucent and tender.

Stir in the entire packet of taco seasoning and the red salsa. Let the mixture simmer for 3–4 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. This creates the delicious base for your Dorito casserole.

Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the sour cream until it’s fully incorporated and the mixture is creamy.

Now it’s time to layer! Lightly crush the Doritos chips into roughly 1/2-inch pieces. Spread one-third of the crushed chips evenly over the bottom of your prepared baking dish. Spoon half of the meat mixture on top of the chips, then sprinkle one-third of the shredded cheese over the meat.

Repeat this layering process: add another one-third of the chips, followed by the remaining meat mixture, and then another one-third of the cheese.

Finally, top with the remaining chips, then the last layer of cheese. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil.

Bake the covered Dorito casserole for 30 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and starting to turn golden brown.

Once baked, sprinkle the diced tomatoes and sliced green onions over the hot casserole. Serve warm with optional toppings like extra sour cream, fresh cilantro, or olives for added flavor. Enjoy your satisfying and crunchy Dorito casserole!

Pro Tips for Success

Achieve the perfect chip texture by crushing Doritos into bite-sized, roughly 1/2-inch pieces, avoiding fine crumbs. To prevent soggy Doritos, ensure the meat mixture is not too watery, and don’t layer the chips too far in advance of baking. Evenly distribute each layer of chips, meat, and cheese to ensure every spoonful of this Dorito casserole has a balanced flavor and texture. For making ahead, assemble the casserole but keep the final layer of chips separate. Add them right before baking to maintain maximum crunch.

Serving Suggestions, Storage, and Variations

Serve your delightful Dorito casserole with a simple green salad or a side of steamed vegetables for a complete meal. A dollop of extra sour cream or a sprinkle of fresh cilantro also makes a great addition.

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, microwave individual portions until warm, or cover the casserole loosely with foil and bake at 350°F until heated through.

Delicious Variations

• Spice It Up: Use a hot salsa or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the meat mixture to elevate the spice level of your Dorito casserole.
• Add More Bulk: Incorporate a can of drained and rinsed black beans or corn to the meat mixture for extra fiber and texture.
• Protein Swap: Substitute ground turkey or shredded chicken for the ground beef to change the protein.
• Veggie Boost: Sauté diced bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms with the onions for added nutrients and flavor.

Nutrition Information

This Dorito casserole recipe provides a balanced meal with a good source of protein and essential nutrients. The serving size is approximately one cup.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• How long does Dorito casserole last?
  You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Always ensure it cools completely before storing.

• Can I prepare Dorito casserole in advance?
  Yes, you can assemble the meat mixture and cheese layers ahead of time. Add the Doritos just before baking to keep them from getting soggy.

• Is Dorito casserole freezer-friendly?
  While the meat and cheese base can be frozen, freezing the chips is not recommended as they lose their crunch when thawed. It’s best made fresh.

Conclusion

This easy Dorito casserole truly is a family favorite for good reason! It’s the perfect blend of savory beef, creamy sauce, and irresistible cheesy, crunchy Doritos. Simple to prepare and packed with flavor, it delivers a satisfying meal that everyone will love, especially on busy weeknights. Give this recipe a try tonight and watch it become a staple in your home. We’d love to hear what you think, so please leave a comment and rate the recipe!

Easy Dorito Casserole: A Family-Favorite Dinner

A simple and delicious casserole featuring seasoned ground beef, salsa, sour cream, and crunchy Doritos, baked with cheese until bubbly and golden. Perfect for a family dinner.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 600

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 pound ground beef 90% lean
• 1/2 cup onion finely diced
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1 1/2 cups red salsa
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 cups shredded cheese cheddar and Monterey Jack
• 4 cups Doritos chips nacho cheese flavor
• 1/2 cup tomatoes diced
• 1/4 cup green onions sliced
• cooking spray
• taco toppings such as sour cream, cilantro, for serving (optional)

Equipment

• baking dish (2-3 quart)
• large pan
• Spatula
• foil

Method

 

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and coat a 2-3 quart baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and coat a 2-3 quart baking dish with cooking spray.
3. Add the finely diced onion to the pan and cook for 3-4 minutes more, until it becomes translucent.
4. Stir in the taco seasoning and red salsa, then simmer the mixture for 3-4 minutes.
5. Remove the pan from heat and stir in the sour cream until combined.
6. Lightly crush Doritos and spread one-third of them over the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
7. Layer half of the meat mixture over the chips, followed by one-third of the shredded cheese.
8. Repeat the layering with another third of the chips, the remaining meat mixture, and another third of the cheese.
9. Add the final layer of chips, then top with the remaining cheese, and cover the baking dish with foil.
10. Bake for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and lightly browned.
11. Sprinkle diced tomatoes and sliced green onions over the hot casserole, then serve with optional taco toppings.

Notes

This casserole is highly customizable; feel free to add black beans, corn, or different vegetables. For a spicier kick, use hot salsa or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the meat mixture. Serve with your favorite taco toppings like guacamole, jalapeños, or extra cilantro.