Ingredients:

  • 1 lb lean ground beef (90/10)
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 tbsp homemade taco seasoning (chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika)
  • 0.5 cup beef broth
  • 1 cup red salsa, thick and chunky
  • 15 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 3 cups lightly crushed tortilla chips
  • 1.5 cups cooked white rice
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
  • 1 cup pepper jack cheese, shredded
  • 2 cups shredded iceberg lettuce
  • 1 large tomato, diced
  • 0.5 cup sour cream
  • 0.25 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Instructions:

  1. Brown the beef. Place your large non stick skillet over medium high heat. Add the 1 lb ground beef and diced yellow onion. Use your spoon to break the meat into small, uniform crumbles. Cook for about 5-7 minutes until the meat is a deep mahogany brown and no pink remains.
  2. Drain and season. Thoroughly drain the excess fat from the skillet into a heat safe container. Return the pan to the heat and stir in the 2 tbsp taco seasoning and 0.5 cup beef broth.
  3. Reduce the liquid. Simmer the beef mixture over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until the liquid has almost completely evaporated, leaving the meat coated in a thick, concentrated spice paste. Note: This step is crucial for flavor depth.
  4. Mix the filling. Fold in the 1.5 cups cooked white rice and the 15 oz can of rinsed black beans. Stir in the 1 cup of red salsa until everything is well combined and heated through.
  5. Prep the base. In your 9x13 inch baking dish, spread the 3 cups of crushed tortilla chips in an even layer.
  6. Create the shield. Sprinkle 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese directly over the chips. Note: This acts as a moisture barrier to keep the chips crunchy.
  7. Layer the beef. Carefully spread the beef and rice mixture over the cheese covered chips, using the back of a spoon to level it out to the edges.
  8. Top with cheese. Evenly distribute the remaining 1 cup of cheddar and 1 cup of pepper jack cheese over the top of the beef layer.
  9. Bake. Place the dish in a preheated oven at 190°C (375°F). Bake for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and the edges of the chips poking through are golden brown.
  10. Garnish and serve. Remove from the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes. Top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, dollops of sour cream, and fresh cilantro. Slice into squares and serve immediately. Creamy Taco Soup in 30 Minutes with Ground Beef — Learn how to make creamy taco soup with this easy homemade recipe. Featuring ...Easy Tiramisu Recipe for 8 Servings — Master Easy Tiramisu with our step-by-step guide for this classic Italian Des...Big Mac Salad Recipe Ready in 25 Minutes for 4 Servings — Enjoy this Big Mac Salad for a satisfying meal. Our recipe features a step-by... $img_2$