This recipe is everything you love about classic ground beef tacos baked into an easy casserole, then topped with lettuce, tomato, and shredded cheddar
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided, plus more for the baking dish
1 pound lean ground beef
1 medium white or yellow onion, diced
1 medium red bell pepper, cored, seeded, and diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
15 ounces tomato salsa
1 1/2 cups shredded mild cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese, divided
1 cup chopped romaine lettuce
1 medium tomato, diced
Greek yogurt or sour cream, for serving
Instructions
Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat the oven to 350℉. Coat a 9x13-inch baking dish with oil; set aside.
Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large, high-sided skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the beef and cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the meat to a plate, then drain any fat from the skillet.
Reduce the heat to medium, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil, and heat until shimmering. Add the onion, pepper, and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally until softened, about 5 minutes. Return the beef to the pan and stir in the beans. Add the tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper, and stir to combine. Cook for 2 minutes.
Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the salsa and 3/4 cup of the cheese. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread into an even layer. Sprinkle with the remaining 3/4 cup cheese.
Bake until the cheese is melted and casserole is heated through, about 20 minutes. Let sit for 5 minutes before serving. Top with lettuce and tomato, and serve with Greek yogurt or sour cream.
