The easiest last-minute dinner, Dorito casserole layers crunchy chips with melted cheese, seasoned ground beef, and a creamy soup-based filling. Be sure to finish it with fresh toppings for brightness and texture.
This Dorito casserole isn’t fancy, but it’s incredibly satisfying. Perfect for nights when you haven’t shopped, it comes together from pantry and fridge staples: Doritos, ground beef, a can of cream soup, salsa and cheese. Like steak nachos or sheet pan totchos, it’s simple, hearty, and cheesy — and easy to adapt to what you have on hand.
Why You’ll Love This Dorito Casserole
- Easy. Brown the meat, mix the filling, layer the dish, and bake.
- Full of flavor. It’s basically a taco casserole: the seasoned beef and creamy filling combine with Doritos for taco-like crunch and taste.
- Hearty. Ground beef, cream of chicken soup and cheese make this a filling weeknight meal.
- Flexible. Swap proteins, add beans or veggies, or make a chicken version for a different twist.
Ingredient Notes
Here’s a quick overview of the main ingredients and simple swaps so you can make this casserole right away.
- Yellow onion — White onion works fine if that’s what you have.
- Garlic — Fresh minced garlic gives the best flavor; use ~1/2 teaspoon garlic powder if needed.
- Ground beef — Lean ground beef is ideal. Ground turkey or chicken are good alternatives.
- Taco seasoning — Use a store-bought packet or a homemade blend.
- Salsa — Any jarred salsa will do.
- Cream of chicken soup — Provides the creamy base; one 10.5-ounce can is used here.
- Sour cream — Plain Greek yogurt can be substituted.
- Shredded cheese — A mix of white cheddar and sharp cheddar is delicious; Mexican blend also works.
- Nacho Cheese Doritos — Use regular or spicy Doritos, or swap in tortilla chips if preferred.
- Garnishes — Chopped green onions, cilantro and halved cherry tomatoes brighten each serving.
Variation Ideas
- Chips. Use your favorite tortilla chips instead of Doritos.
- Add heat. Stir 1–2 seeded and diced jalapeños into the pan with the garlic.
- Protein. Substitute lean ground turkey, chicken, or shredded chicken. Add a drained can of black beans for extra fiber and protein.
- Veggies. Fold in diced red bell pepper or a small can of drained corn when you add the salsa.
- Toppings. Serve with extra salsa, sour cream, shredded lettuce, or any taco-style garnishes you enjoy.
Storing and Reheating Extras
Freezing isn’t recommended because the chips lose their texture after thawing. Store leftovers in the fridge and reheat as needed.
- Fridge — Cool the casserole to room temperature, cover tightly with plastic wrap or foil, and refrigerate for up to 4 days. You can also portion slices into airtight containers.
- To reheat — Microwave a serving on a microwave-safe plate for about 1½ to 2 minutes, depending on portion size, until warmed through. You can also reheat in a 350°F oven until hot.
More Casserole Recipes
- Hashbrown Casserole
- Tuna Noodle Casserole
- Mexican Lasagna
- Creamy Chicken Casserole
- Gnocchi and Bacon Casserole
Dorito Casserole
An easy last-minute meal that layers crispy Doritos, melted cheese and a creamy, seasoned beef filling.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 package (1 ounce) taco seasoning
- 1 cup salsa
- 10.5 ounces can cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded cheese (mix of white cheddar and sharp cheddar recommended)
- 1 bag (9.75 ounces) Nacho Cheese Doritos
- Garnishes: chopped green onions, chopped cilantro and halved cherry tomatoes
Instructions
- Prep your tools. Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook the meat. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion, breaking the meat into pieces, until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Add flavorings. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add taco seasoning and salsa, reduce heat to medium-low, and stir until combined, about 2 minutes.
- Make the filling. Remove from heat and stir in the cream of chicken soup and sour cream until smooth.
- Assemble the casserole. Place one-third of the crushed Doritos in the bottom of the prepared dish. Top with half of the meat mixture and one-third of the shredded cheese. Repeat the layers, then finish with a final layer of chips and remaining cheese.
- Bake. Cover with foil and bake 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake another 10–15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Finish and serve. Let the casserole rest 5–10 minutes. Top with diced tomatoes, green onions, cilantro or other favorite taco toppings, slice and serve.
Equipment
- 9×13-inch baking dish
Nutrition
Serving: 12ounces | Calories: 605kcal
Nutritional info is an estimate. Values will vary based on ingredients and portions.
How to Make a Dorito Casserole
- Prep your tools. Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Make the ground beef filling. Cook the beef with onion, garlic, taco seasoning and salsa until combined and heated through.
- Add sour cream and soup. Stir the cream of chicken soup and sour cream into the cooked beef until the mixture is smooth and evenly combined.
- Assemble the casserole. Layer crushed Doritos, the beef mixture and shredded cheese, repeating until the dish is filled and topped with cheese.
- Bake. Cover with foil and bake 30 minutes, then remove the foil and bake another 10–15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and melted.
- Garnish. Let rest briefly, then top with diced tomatoes, green onions, cilantro or other favorite taco toppings before serving.
