Irresistible Doritos Casserole with Ground Beef in 40 Minutes

Oh my gosh, you HAVE to try this Doritos casserole with ground beef—it’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser that turns ordinary weeknight dinners into something ridiculously fun! I first made this for my nephew’s birthday party (when he begged for “something with chips AND meat”), and now it’s our go-to for potlucks, game nights, or those “I don’t feel like cooking” evenings. The magic happens when crunchy Doritos meet savory beef and melty cheese—it’s like a taco salad and nachos had the most delicious baby. Best part? It comes together in about 10 minutes of prep. Trust me, even the pickiest eaters will beg for seconds!

Why You’ll Love This Doritos Casserole with Ground Beef

This isn’t just another casserole—it’s a flavor explosion that checks ALL the boxes:

• Weeknight superhero: Ready in under 40 minutes start-to-finish (yes, even with my chaotic kitchen counters!)
• Kid-approved magic: My niece calls it “rainbow nachos” because of the colorful chips—no veggie bribes needed
• Customizable canvas: Swap in Cool Ranch Doritos, add beans, or go wild with toppings like diced avocado
• Potluck legend: I bring this to gatherings with a Sharpie-labeled dish because everyone asks for the recipe

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Ingredients for Doritos Casserole with Ground Beef

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this crazy-good casserole (measurements matter—I learned that the hard way when I eyeballed the Doritos once!):

• 1 lb ground beef (80/20 lean/fat) – The fat adds flavor, but drain it well after browning
• 1 bag (9.75 oz) Doritos, nacho cheese flavor – Crush half for the base, save the rest for topping
• 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup – Don’t dilute it—straight from the can!
• 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies – Undrained for that perfect saucy texture
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese – I use sharp for extra punch
• 1/2 cup sour cream – Full-fat gives the creamiest results
• 1/2 cup milk – Any kind works, I use 2%
• 1 tsp taco seasoning – My homemade blend or store-bought
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder – The secret flavor booster
• 1/4 tsp black pepper – Freshly cracked if you’re fancy

Ingredient Substitutions & Notes

No stress if you’re missing something! Try these easy swaps:

• Use ground turkey instead of beef for a lighter version
• Cream of mushroom soup works if you’re out of chicken
• Gluten-free? Grab GF Doritos and cream soup
• Spice lovers—add a diced jalapeño to the tomato mix!

How to Make Doritos Casserole with Ground Beef

Okay, let’s get cooking! This Doritos casserole comes together faster than you can say “cheesy goodness.” Here’s exactly how I layer it up for maximum flavor:

1. Heat that oven: Preheat to 350°F (no peeking—I forgot once and had to wait 10 extra minutes!).
2. Brown the beef: Crumble the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Cook until no pink remains (about 5-7 minutes). Key step: Drain that excess fat—I use a wooden spoon to hold the meat while tilting the pan.
3. Season it right: Stir in the taco seasoning, garlic powder, and black pepper. Your kitchen should smell amazing now!
4. Mix the saucy stuff: In a bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, diced tomatoes (with their juices!), sour cream, and milk until smooth.
5. Crunchy base layer: Grease a 9×13″ baking dish, then crush half the Doritos right in the bag (so satisfying!) and spread them evenly.
6. Beef layer: Spoon the seasoned ground beef over the chips, pressing lightly.
7. Sauce it up: Pour the creamy mixture over the beef, using a spatula to spread it to the edges.
8. Cheese blanket: Sprinkle shredded cheddar evenly—I sometimes sneak extra because… cheese.
9. Top with crunch: Crush the remaining Doritos and scatter them over the cheese for that signature texture.
10. Bake to perfection: 25 minutes is the sweet spot—you’ll know it’s ready when the edges bubble and the top turns golden.

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Pro Tips for the Best Doritos Casserole

After making this dozens of times (my friends won’t let me stop!), here are my golden rules:

• Let it rest 5 minutes before serving—those layers need to settle!
• For extra heat, mix in diced jalapeños with the tomatoes
• Use a mix of Monterey Jack and cheddar for next-level meltiness
• Leftover tip: Store chips separately to maintain crunch

Serving Suggestions for Doritos Casserole

This casserole shines brightest with simple sides that balance its richness. My family always pairs it with a crisp romaine salad (doused in ranch, obviously) and fresh guacamole for scooping. For portion sizes, I cut it into 6 generous squares—though my husband always sneaks back for “just one more corner piece.” Game day? Add bowls of salsa and sour cream for DIY topping stations!

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Storing and Reheating Doritos Casserole

Here’s the scoop on keeping your Doritos casserole tasting fresh (because leftovers are half the fun!): Store cooled portions in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days—though mine never lasts that long. For longer storage, freeze individual slices wrapped in foil for 1 month. When reheating, skip the microwave (soggy chips = sad day) and use the oven at 350°F until heated through. Pro tip: Sprinkle fresh chips on top after reheating for that signature crunch!

Doritos Casserole with Ground Beef Nutritional Info

Now, let’s be real—this isn’t diet food, but everything in moderation, right? Based on my exact ingredients, each hearty serving (about 1/6 of the dish) comes out to roughly 420 calories, with 24g fat (9g saturated) and 18g protein. Of course, your numbers might dance around a bit depending on cheese choices or if you go wild with extra toppings. The sodium’s up there too (around 890mg), so maybe skip the salt shaker at the table!

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Share Your Doritos Casserole Creation

I’d love to see your masterpiece! Snap a pic and tag me—nothing makes me happier than seeing your cheesy, crunchy creations. Happy cooking! You can find more recipe inspiration on Pinterest.

Doritos Casserole with Ground Beef

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A fun and flavorful casserole that combines crunchy Doritos with savory ground beef for a crowd-pleasing dish.

• Author: Sophia Collins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 25 mins
• Total Time: 40 mins
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Low Lactose

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 bag (9.75 oz) Doritos (nacho cheese flavor)
• 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup
• 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 tsp taco seasoning
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Drain excess fat.
3. Stir in taco seasoning, garlic powder, and black pepper.
4. In a bowl, mix cream of chicken soup, diced tomatoes, sour cream, and milk.
5. Crush half the Doritos and layer them at the bottom of a greased casserole dish.
6. Spread the ground beef mixture over the Doritos.
7. Pour the soup mixture evenly over the beef.
8. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top.
9. Crush the remaining Doritos and sprinkle over the cheese.
10. Bake for 25 minutes or until bubbly and golden.

Notes

• Use any Doritos flavor you prefer.
• Add jalapeños for extra heat.
• Let it cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1/6 of casserole
• Calories: 420
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 890mg
• Fat: 24g
• Saturated Fat: 9g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12g
• Trans Fat: 0.5g
• Carbohydrates: 32g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 18g
• Cholesterol: 65mg