Ultimate Doritos Casserole Recipe: Cheesy & Crunchy Delight

Dinner's been pretty blah around here lately so I whipped up a Doritos casserole and it was a hit. It’s layers of crunchy Doritos, seasoned meat, veggies and creamy cheese — simple but sooo tasty. Even my picky little brother couldn’t complain about this one.

What makes this casserole awesome (besides the chips, duh) is how easy it is. You can throw it together on a weeknight or bring it to a last-minute potluck, and nobody’s gonna know you didn’t spend hours cooking. Big family get-togethers, game nights, or just a chill Friday — this dish works for all of them.

Below you’ll find the recipe, some easy tweaks to make it your own, and answers to the stuff people usually ask. Get ready to dig into cheesy, crunchy goodness!

I. What is Doritos Casserole?

Doritos casserole is basically a hybrid of nachos and a classic baked dish. You start with a bed of crushed Doritos, then add cooked meat (like ground beef or turkey), some creamy soup, cheese and your fav veggies. It’s colourful, crunchy and kinda addicting since you get that cheesy, salty flavour in every bite.

The recipe didn’t come from some fancy chef, it popped up when people wanted easy potluck dishes back in the 70s and 80s. Later, someone had the bright idea to toss Doritos into the mix and boom — a new family fave was born. Now it’s grown-up comfort food that’s also nostalgic for the folks who remember casseroles from their childhood.

II. Why You’ll Love Doritos Casserole

First off, the texture combo is unreal. You got the crunch of the chips plus that creamy, cheesy filling that kinda melts together. It’s like nachos but all baked in one dish. And you can switch stuff up easily — skip the meat for a veggie version, add extra beans, or pile on jalapeños if you like heat.

Second, it’s crazy quick. Once you brown the meat and mix in your veggies and sauces, you just layer, bake and wait. No fancy skills needed, and you end up with enough food to feed a small army. Perfect for those nights when you’re starving but don’t have time to cook from scratch.

III. Ingredients for Doritos Casserole

Grab these and you’re set to go. Feel free to swap or add whatever you like, but these parts give you the classic flavor mix:

• 1 bag of Doritos (nacho cheese flavor is recommended)
• 1 pound of ground beef or turkey
• 1 can (10.5 oz) of cream of mushroom soup
• 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup of sour cream
• ½ onion, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, diced (optional)
• 1 packet of taco seasoning (or a homemade equivalent)
• 1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed (optional)
• 1 cup of corn kernels (optional)
• Jalapeños for heat, to taste (optional)
• Chopped green onions for garnish
• Additional toppings such as salsa and guacamole

Pro tip: use the good kind of Doritos and fresh veggies if you can — it really boosts the flavour. You can also try different cheeses if you want a softer or sharper taste.

IV. Step-by-Step Directions to Make Doritos Casserole

Follow these steps and you’ll have dinner ready fast:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Brown the meat: In a skillet on medium heat, cook the ground beef or turkey until no pink shows. Drain the extra fat.
3. Add the veggies: Toss in the chopped onion and bell pepper, keep cooking about 3–4 minutes until they’re soft.
4. Stir in soups and seasoning: Mix in the cream of mushroom soup and taco seasoning. If you’re using beans, corn or jalapeños, add them now.
5. Layer it: In a greased baking dish, spread half the Doritos on the bottom. Then spoon half your meat mix over the chips, sprinkle half the cheese on top. Do it again with the rest.
6. Top with sour cream: Dollop the sour cream over the top layer and finish with any extra cheese.
7. Bake: Slide it into the oven and bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, until the cheese is melty and bubbling.
8. Let it rest: Take it out and wait about 10 minutes before digging in. Sprinkle green onions on top for a fresh kick.

Baking times can vary a bit by oven, so keep an eye on the cheese — you want it golden and bubbly.

Doritos Casserole

This Doritos Casserole is a hearty and flavorful dish that combines ground beef, creamy cheese, and crunchy Doritos for a delightful weeknight dinner. It's easy to prepare and perfect for feeding a crowd!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4 People

Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

• 1 large skillet
• 1 mixing bowl
• 1 casserole dish (9x13 inches)
• 1 spoon or spatula
• 1 set measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients

  

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 packet taco seasoning (about 1 ounce)
• 1 cup canned diced tomatoes (drained)
• 1 can black beans (15 ounces, drained and rinsed)
• 1 cup corn (fresh, frozen, or canned)
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 4 cups Doritos (crushed)
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup salsa
• optional chopped green onions or olives for garnish

Instructions

 

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned. Drain any excess fat.
• Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook until the onion is translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
• Stir in the taco seasoning, diced tomatoes, black beans, and corn. Cook for an additional 5 minutes until everything is heated through.
• In a mixing bowl, combine the sour cream and salsa. Stir until well blended.
• In the casserole dish, layer half of the crushed Doritos, followed by half of the beef mixture, half of the sour cream and salsa mixture, and half of the shredded cheese. Repeat the layers with the remaining ingredients.
• Top the casserole with the remaining crushed Doritos and a sprinkle of cheese.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
• Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Garnish with chopped green onions or olives, if desired.

Notes

Feel free to customize the casserole with your favorite ingredients, such as jalapeños for added heat or additional veggies.

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.