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Home » Dinner » Dorito Casserole

Published: January 22, 2019 Last Modified: March 4, 2019 By Sara 62 Comments

Dorito Casserole

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Dorito Casserole Recipe | Mexican Casserole | Beef Casserole #mexicanfood #beef #groundbeef #casserole #dinner #dinneratthezoo

This Dorito casserole is layers of crushed Dorito tortilla chips, ground beef, salsa and cheese, all baked together to golden brown perfection. An easy dinner option that the whole family will love!

I’m all about the hearty casseroles, my family’s favorites include beef noodle casserole, chicken and rice casserole, and this Mexican style Dorito casserole. This unique dish is quick to assemble and tastes just like tacos!

Dorito Casserole Recipe | Mexican Casserole | Beef Casserole #mexicanfood #beef #groundbeef #casserole #dinner #dinneratthezoo Dorito Casserole Recipe | Mexican Casserole | Beef Casserole #mexicanfood #beef #groundbeef #casserole #dinner #dinneratthezoo

A piece of Dorito casserole with layers of tortilla chips, beef and cheese.

There’s nothing better than a hot, cheesy casserole on a cold day. This Dorito casserole is always a huge hit in my house, my kids always get so excited when it’s on the menu. I don’t blame them, chips for dinner is always a good thing!

How do you make Dorito casserole?

This recipe starts with ground beef, which is cooked with onions, taco seasoning and salsa to form the base of the casserole. The ground beef mixture gets mixed with sour cream, and then is layered in a casserole dish with crushed Dorito chips and cheese. The casserole goes into the oven to bake, and then is finished off with diced tomatoes and green onions.

Ground beef, onions and salsa in a skillet.

Tips for Dorito casserole

  • You want to crush your chips into 1/2 inch pieces – if you make them too small, they’ll turn into mush in the casserole.
  • I use 90% lean ground beef – it has plenty of flavor but isn’t overly greasy.
  • You can use any flavor Doritos you like, I typically make this dish with the nacho cheese flavored chips.
  • I use a blend of cheddar and jack cheese for this casserole – other great choices would be a Mexican style blend or pepper jack cheese.
  • You can garnish your casserole with a variety of toppings. I typically serve my Dorito casserole with sour cream, diced tomatoes and green onions. Other great options are chopped cilantro, olives and avocado.

Crushed Dorito chips in the bottom of a casserole dish.

Can you make Dorito casserole in advance?

You can assemble this casserole up to 6 hours before you plan to bake it. Place yous covered casserole in the fridge until it’s time to put it in the oven. You may need to increase the baking time to compensate for starting with a cold casserole.

A casserole dish layered with Dorito chips, ground beef and shredded cheese.

Dorito Casserole Variations

There are so many ways to change up this Dorito casserole to suit your tastes, the possibilities are endless!

  • Tortilla Chips: Substitute your favorite tortilla chips instead of flavored Doritos.
  • Spicy: Use hot salsa and pepper jack cheese.
  • Veggies: Add 1 finely diced bell pepper to the ground beef mixture.
  • Protein: Use ground turkey or shredded chicken instead of the beef.

Dorito casserole topped with melted cheese, diced tomatoes and sliced green onions.

I have to admit, I was skeptical the first time I made this one. Dorito chips, in casserole form? Trust me though, it really works! It’s like eating a super delicious taco with fixings. I often bring this casserole to potlucks and it always disappears instantly! If you like Mexican food, you’ll enjoy Dorito casserole.

More great casserole recipes

  • Chicken Noodle Casserole
  • Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole
  • Broccoli and Cheese Casserole
  • Loaded Corn Casserole
  • Chicken Enchilada Casserole
A piece of Dorito casserole with layers of tortilla chips, beef and cheese.
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5 from 32 votes

Dorito Casserole

This Dorito casserole is layers of crushed Dorito tortilla chips, ground beef, salsa and cheese, all baked together to golden brown perfection. An easy dinner option that the whole family will love!
Course Main
Cuisine Mexican
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 350kcal
Author Sara Welch

Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef I use 90% lean
  • 1/2 cup onion finely diced
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • 1 1/2 cups salsa
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 2 cups shredded cheese I used cheddar and Monterey Jack
  • 4 cups Dorito chips I used nacho cheese flavor
  • 1/2 cup tomatoes diced
  • 1/4 cup green onions sliced
  • cooking spray
  • sour cream, cilantro and other taco toppings for serving optional

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Coat a 2-3 quart baking dish with cooking spray.
  • Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium high heat. Add the beef and cook for 4-5 minutes or until just browned, breaking up the meat with a spatula.
  • Add the onion and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes or until onion is translucent.
  • Stir in the taco seasoning and red salsa. Simmer for 3-4 minutes.
  • Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the sour cream.
  • Lightly crush the Doritos. Spread 1/3 of the chips over the bottom of the prepared pan. Place 1/2 of the meat mixture on top of the chips, then add 1/3 of the cheese in an even layer.
  • Repeat the process with another 1/3 of the chips, the rest of the meat, and 1/3 of the cheese. 
  • Add the remaining chips, then the final layer of cheese. Cover the baking dish with foil.
  • Bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melted and starting to brown.
  • Sprinkle the tomatoes and green onions over the casserole, then serve. Top with additional taco flavorings such as sour cream, olives, etc. if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 350kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 98mg | Sodium: 787mg | Potassium: 385mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1185IU | Vitamin C: 6.4mg | Calcium: 246mg | Iron: 2.4mg
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Filed Under: Comfort Food, Dinner

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    Comments

    1. Matt M. says

      September 3, 2022 at 3:02 pm

      5 stars
      I was rewatching Schitt’s Creek, and heard Jocelyn say she was on a Dorito casserole kick. I began to wonder if that was a real thing, so I googled it. This recipe was the top result, and since I’ve like other recipes I’ve found here, I decided to give it a try. I made it exactly as the recipe is written, and it was so delicious!!

      The only suggestion I would offer, is that the olive oil isn’t necessary. The beef makes enough drippings to cook the onions in, and depending on the fat content of meat you use you’ll probably be draining off the extra grease anyway.

      Reply
    2. Lynette aka breezermom says

      July 25, 2022 at 5:28 pm

      5 stars
      So easy and very tasty! Not gourmet, but perfect for a weeknight quicky meal.

      Reply
    3. Saundra says

      December 12, 2021 at 6:56 am

      5 stars
      Made as written. Very tasty. Will be making again.

      Reply
    4. Bo says

      October 27, 2021 at 8:10 pm

      Really Good! Except I added 1/2 can of Ranch Style Beans (I rinse the beans in cold water), bell pepper and garlic. Soooo good! Thanks

      Reply
    5. Kimmie says

      August 1, 2021 at 11:26 am

      I drained the little bit of grease from ground beef and added a can of corn to the mix.
      When the casserole was done I had every topping I had on hand on the counter for the family to fix their own the way they each wanted it. Like a taco bar. We had sour cream, scallions, black olives, jalapeños, salsa, nacho cheese, and extra nacho cheese Doritos. It was a huge hit and will be making this again. ( will try it with shredded chicken too)
      Thank you!

      Reply
      • Laurie says

        October 22, 2022 at 9:40 pm

        I’ve made this with shredded chicken and it is absolutely delicious!!

        Reply
    6. Jen says

      March 13, 2021 at 6:41 pm

      5 stars
      This really came out good! I saved some tortilla chips for dipping into the hot casserole and the kids loved it!

      Reply
    7. Katie says

      January 4, 2021 at 4:48 pm

      What kind of salsa can you use?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        January 4, 2021 at 7:34 pm

        I use a jarred red salsa such as Pace.

        Reply
    8. Alexys says

      November 29, 2020 at 5:02 pm

      5 stars
      Amazing….

      Reply
    9. Ashley says

      October 8, 2020 at 2:22 pm

      5 stars
      This was really good, I did add some black beans and corn to make it go a little farther. We topped it with cilantro, sour cream, a bit more salsa, tomatoes, lettuce and diced avocados. My toddlers only picked the chips out but my older son loved it. I did forget the sour cream step so ill have to add that next time but it was fine without it.

      Reply
      • Joanne says

        October 19, 2020 at 1:25 pm

        Oh LORDY. Took this dish to my get together at the church today. It was a winner! I substituted ground chicken and two cans of green chilies ( mild ) and a bit mkre seasonings.
        Thank you so much

        Joanne
        Poulsbo Wa.

        Reply
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