Vegan Taco Casserole Recipe

Here’s a hearty and delicious recipe for a Vegan Taco Casserole that’s perfect for family dinners or meal prep! This casserole is packed with flavors, layers of seasoned vegetables, beans, and topped with cheese.

Yield: 8 Servings

Ingredients:

For the Vegan Ground Beef Mixture:

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 pound vegan ground beef
  • 1 packet of taco seasoning (or homemade, see below)
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 1/2 cups salsa
  • 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
  • 1 (15 oz) can chili beans, drained and rinsed (or black beans)
  • 1 can diced tomatoes, drained
  • 1 cup vegan sour cream

For the Base:

  • 2-3 cups crushed tortilla chips or corn chips

For the Topping:

  • 1 1/2 cup vegan shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup sliced black olives (optional)
  • 1/4 cup sliced green onions (optional)

For the Homemade Taco Seasoning (Optional):

  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for spice)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper

Instructions:

Prepare the Taco Filling:

  1. Sauté the Vegan Ground Beef & Onion:
    • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
    • Add the ground beef and onions to the skillet and cook until beef is browned, around 8 to 10 minutes; drain grease and return to heat.
  2. Add the Taco Seasoning:
    • Stir in water and taco seasoning; cook, stirring often, until thickened, about 2-3 minutes.
  3. Add Salsa, Corn, Beans, Tomatoes and Sour Cream:
    • Reduce heat to low then add salsa, corn, beans, tomatoes, and sour cream.
    • Simmer until the sauce thickens, stirring occasionally for about 15 minutes.
    • Taste mixture and adjust the seasonings as desired.

Assemble the Casserole:

  1. Preheat the Oven:
    • Preheat your oven to 350°F (190°C).
  2. Layer the Casserole:
    • Spread the tortilla chips on the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
    • Top with the taco filling, then sprinkle with cheese, and optional black olives.
  3. Bake the Casserole:
    • Bake the casserole for 20-25 minutes, or until golden and the casserole is bubbling.

Garnish and Serve:

  1. Garnish:
    • After baking, remove from the oven and let it sit for a few minutes. Garnish with optional sliced green onions.

Serve:

  • Serve the casserole with your favorite toppings such as guacamole, salsa, or vegan sour cream. It’s perfect with a side of rice or a simple salad.

Tips:

  • For a spicier casserole: Add diced jalapeños to the filling.
  • Make-ahead: You can assemble the casserole in advance, cover, and refrigerate it for up to 2 days before baking.
  • Storage: Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days or frozen for up to 2 months.

Enjoy your vegan taco casserole!