Dorito Casserole

This Dorito casserole is filled with layers of nacho Doritos, ground beef, red and green salsa, and shredded cheese, then baked until golden and melty. Inspired by the flavors of Mexico, this recipe is vibrant, bold, and addicting! 

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I think casseroles are one of my favorite types of meals because they’re simple to put together, great for leftovers, and quick enough for weeknight dinners.

If you’re on the hunt for a hearty, protein-packed meal that seriously delivers on taste, you will love this Dorito casserole. I doubt you’re going to be able to stop at one serving after digging into the cheesy, spicy, and creamy flavors!

What Is A Dorito Casserole? 

A Dorito casserole is like a combination of enchiladas and tacos with Dorito chips thrown into the mix. Are you feeling hungry yet?

Like any good casserole, this recipe is built-in layers. We first start with nacho cheese tortilla chips. Then, ground beef, bell peppers, salsa (green and red), and Mexican cheese are mixed in. Finally, loads of fresh toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, olives, and sour cream bring it home.

Serve this casserole for a twist on taco Tuesday, as a weeknight dinner, or for a potluck gathering. It never fails to disappoint y’all!

Ingredients & substitutions

• Ground beef & black beans — The protein component of this casserole mix. If you don’t have beef, replace it with ground turkey for a lighter option. If you don’t have black beans, try pinto or kidney beans.
• Onion & garlic — Fresh garlic and onion add aromatic, hearty, and savory flavors. White or yellow onion both work equally well.
• Green bell pepper — I recommend green bell pepper for a garden-fresh flavor and crunch. If you don’t have green, go for red, yellow, or orange!
• Red & green salsa — I absolutely love the combination of red salsa (salsa roja) and green salsa (salsa verde) in this recipe. Tomatillos add tart, tangy notes while salsa roja provides a more robust flavor.
• Taco seasoning — Use store-bought taco seasoning or make your own from scratch!
• Chicken stock — Both Homemade Chicken Stock and store-bought chicken stock work. You can also use turkey stock, vegetable stock, or beef stock.
• Sour cream — Paired with the spice in this Dorito casserole, sour cream adds a cool, creamy, and refreshing flavor. You can also use Mexican crema.
• Cream of mushroom soup — Adds even more layers of creamy, umami elements.
• Mexican cheese — If you can’t find a Mexican cheese blend at the store, make your own with cheddar cheese, jack cheese, and a pinch of taco seasoning.
• Nacho cheese Doritos — The nacho cheese flavor is my personal favorite, but use any kind you prefer!
• Toppings — Use lettuce, cilantro, diced tomatoes, olives, and sour cream for garnishes.

How to Make A Dorito Casserole

• STEP 1 – Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F, and grease a 13×9 casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray.

• STEP 2 – Cook ground beef (or turkey), onion, bell pepper, and garlic in a large skillet. Once the meat is cooked all the way through, drain the fat from the skillet.

• STEP 3 – Add both salsas, taco seasoning, and ⅓ cup of chicken stock. Allow the mixture to cook for another 4-5 minutes, or until the liquid evaporates and thickens somewhat. Remove the skillet from heat.

• STEP 4 – In a large bowl, combine the cooked meat mixture, sour cream, black beans, cream of mushroom soup, and half of the cheese. Mix everything together until well combined.

• STEP 5 – Add about 2 cups of Doritos to the greased casserole dish, then top them with half of the meat mixture. Repeat the layers until the meat mixture is gone, then top it with another 2 cups of Doritos.

• STEP 6 – Cover the dish with non-stick foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil, sprinkle the remaining cheese on top, and continue baking (uncovered) until the cheese melts.
• STEP 7 – Allow the Dorito casserole to cool for 10 minutes before adding garnishes.

Serving Suggestions

While this Dorito casserole does make a delicious meal on its own, you can also serve it with side dishes like Honey-Glazed Carrots, Mexican Rice, Potato Rolls, Vinegar Coleslaw, or Harvest Salad.

Recipe Variations

• Different protein: Replace ground beef with pork, chicken, or turkey for a change in taste. Try kidney beans, pinto beans, or bayo beans in place of the black beans.
• Dorito flavors: There are so flavors to try like Chili Cheese Nacho, Salsa Verde, Tapatío, Cool Ranch, or White Cheddar.
• Make it spicy: Turn up the heat with the addition of pickled jalapeños, cayenne, or spicy Dorito flavors like Flamin’ Hot Nacho or Flamin’ Hot Limón.

Tips And Tricks

• Wait to add the cheese: Do not top the casserole with cheese before the foil is on as it will stick. Wait until the last part of baking to sprinkle on the cheese.
• Crush the Doritos in the bag: For less mess, open the bag of Doritos and crush them by squeezing the outside of the bag. However, be careful not to make them too small.
• Remove the foil at the end: To ensure a crispy, golden-brown layer, remove the foil for the last 15-20 minutes of bake time. 
• Drain the fat: To ensure the end result isn’t too oily, drain the fat from the beef mixture before adding it to the casserole dish.

What To Do With Leftovers

• Fridge: Transfer any extra casserole to an airtight container. Keep it in the fridge for up to 3-4 days, although it will turn soggier the longer it sits.
• Reheating: To reheat leftovers, cook small portions in the microwave in 30-second intervals. If you have a large amount, reheat it in the oven at 350 degrees F for 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through. 

Make It Ahead of Time

This Dorito casserole can be made a day or two in advance. I recommend preparing the beef mixture to completion, then storing everything separately in the fridge until you are ready to serve it.

Alternatively, you can fully build the casserole, then keep it covered in the fridge for up to 5-6 hours. You may need to tack on a few minutes of baking time since it will be cold.

More Mexican-Inspired Recipes 

If you enjoyed this Dorito casserole, you really need to try some more of my favorite Mexican-inspired recipes like these:

• BLACKENED CHICKEN ENCHILADAS
• MEXICAN CHICKEN POZOLE
• TACO SOUP
• ELOTE CORN DOGS
• BIRRIA TACOS
• SOUTHWESTERN CHICKEN CASSEROLE

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I freeze this Dorito casserole?

Although you can freeze this Dorito casserole, the texture will change and won’t be quite as pleasant.

Are Doritos gluten-free?

Most flavors of Doritos do not contain gluten. However, if you have Celiac disease, it’s best to contact the company directly.

How do I tell when the casserole is done?

Since the ingredients are fully cooked before being added to the casserole dish, consider this recipe done when the cheese is melted and appears golden brown.