Our Doritos Casserole takes the familiar base of cooked onion, garlic, and ground beef and seasons it with a packet of taco seasoning. We mix in a can of diced fire-roasted tomatoes for both acidity and smokiness. A can of chopped green chiles adds some flavor and heat, and a can of cream of chicken soup dissolves into the remaining ingredients to give a rich and savory quality to the mixture.
We layer this with crushed Doritos and Cheddar cheese, and as the casserole bakes, the Doritos soften just a bit from the moisture in the meat. Easy to slice and serve with some fresh cilantro, the rich flavor of our Doritos Casserole will surprise you just as much as the people you're serving.
It may have never crossed your mind that Doritos are simply flavored tortilla chips. Granted, the tortilla chips that are Doritos are definitely unique. For most of us who grew up snacking on the beloved Nacho Cheese or Cool Ranch flavors, we didn't always make the connection that these seasoned chips were akin to the chips we love with salsa.
But it's this similarity that makes Doritos a reasonable ingredient for a corn tortilla-style casserole.
![Southern Living - Doritos casserole in a teal baking dish](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/D-lSDBSycXye-4ern5qyM3gCiJY=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Dorito_Casserole_152-3x2-17e988a9e5bc498ba804aa812e8ee9e2.jpg)
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Ingredients for Doritos Casserole
To make this casserole, you'll need:
- Vegetable oil: For browning the meat. Can substitute with any preferred oil.
- Yellow onion & garlic: Add an aromatic flavor to the beef.
- Ground beef: Beef is seasoned with taco seasoning, and flavored with tomatoes, chiles, and cream of chicken soup before being layered into the casserole. Can substitute with ground turkey, pork, or chicken if preferred.
- Taco seasoning: Grab a packet, or make your own.
- Diced fire-roasted tomatoes: Adds smoky, subtly sweet chunks of tomato to the meat mixture.
- Chopped green chiles: For a mild heat.
- Cream of chicken soup: A creamy base that adds richness to the casserole.
- Doritos Nacho Cheese-Flavored Tortilla Chips: For an irresistible flavor and texture. Can substitute with any flavor of Doritos you prefer.
- Shredded Cheddar cheese: A sharp, cheesy bite; can substitute with Monterey Jack, pepper Jack, or a Mexican cheese blend.
- Fresh cilantro: Optional to garnish the casserole for a bright flavor and color.
![ingredients for doritos casserole](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/5dpAmGwUvRcVnyyHk1qv2ImTu6s=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Dorito_Casserole_087-6fc5ecbadc48472dabc2a2ad1861103b.jpg)
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
How To Make Doritos Casserole
This quick and easy casserole comes together with under 25 minutes of active time for a satisfying, hearty dish the whole family will love. Full instructions are below, but here's a brief recap before you get started:
- Step 1. Heat oil in a large skillet. Add onion and sauté until softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Step 2. Add beef and break up with a spoon; cook until browned. Stir in taco seasoning, then tomatoes, green chiles, and cream of chicken. Cook, stirring, until thickened; remove from heat.
- Step 3. Break up chips into small pieces.
- Step 4. Preheat oven to 350°F. Pour one-third of the meat mixture into a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Top with 1/3 cup shredded cheese, then half the chips. Repeat. Pour remaining meat over top, then remaining cheese.
- Step 5. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake until browned, about 20 minutes.
- Step 6. Cool slightly before serving with fresh cilantro.
Variations for the Best Doritos Casserole
For the best casserole, keep these tips in mind:
- Make it your own: Use the flavor of Doritos you prefer the most, even Flamin' Hot Nacho.
- Get creative: Add black beans, corn, or red bell peppers for even more color and texture.
- Finish with toppings: Sour cream, guacamole, salsa, shredded lettuce, fresh diced tomatoes, ripe avocado, and green onions would all be welcome additions.
- Add some heat: Add in cayenne pepper or other types of chiles to the mix, or hot sauce on the side for a spicy touch.
What To Serve with Doritos Casserole
This casserole doesn't need much to turn it into a filling meal. Pair with Mexican corn, corn salad, arroz verde, or a side salad to balance the richness of the casserole.
How To Make Doritos Casserole Ahead
To prepare this casserole in advance, assemble without baking. Wrap well and refrigerate for up to two days or freeze for up to three months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator if frozen and bake as directed before serving (the casserole may need additional time in the oven).
How To Store and Reheat Leftover Doritos Casserole
Refrigerate leftover casserole for up to three days or freeze for up to three months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator if frozen and heat, covered with foil, in a preheated 350°F oven until hot throughout.
More Doritos Recipes You'll Love
Love Doritos? Join the club. We've got one more casserole recipe that will be right up your alley, and if you haven't tried Walking Tacos, there's no time like the present.
Editorial contributions by Katie Rosenhouse.
![Southern Living - Doritos casserole](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/B2S6yOUmVOLZ4mDlBUDIxhhvGxc=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Dorito_Casserole_148-3x2-6602a143dd7d4bb4a815224234582f96.jpg)
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Ingredients
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2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
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1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
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2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
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1 lb. ground beef
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1 (1-oz.) pkg. taco seasoning
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1 (14.5-oz.) can diced fire-roasted tomatoes
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1 (4.25-oz.) can chopped green chiles
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1 (15-oz.) can cream of chicken soup
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1 (9.25-oz.) bag Doritos Nacho Cheese-Flavored Tortilla Chips
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1 1/3 cups shredded Cheddar cheese, divided
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Fresh cilantro to garnish (optional)
Directions
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Cook onion and garlic:
Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add onion and sauté until softened and translucent, about 6 minutes.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
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Cook beef mixture:
Add beef and break up with a spoon; cook until completely browned. Add taco seasoning and stir to incorporate.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Mix in tomatoes, green chiles, and cream of chicken, and stir occasionally over medium-high until liquid thickens, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
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Break chips:
Transfer chips from the Doritos bag to a large bowl. Use your hands to break up the chips until the pieces are small but not quite crumbs.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
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Layer casserole:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Pour one-third of the meat mixture in the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle 1/3 cup shredded cheese over the layer of meat. Sprinkle half of the crushed Doritos evenly on top of the shredded cheese.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Pour another third of the meat mixture on top of this Dorito layer and spread evenly over the chips. Repeat the layering process with another 1/3 cup cheese and remaining Doritos. Pour remaining meat mixture over top and spread evenly. Sprinkle remaining 2/3 cup shredded cheese on top.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
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Bake casserole:
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Remove the aluminum foil and bake until the cheese begins to brown, about 20 minutes.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
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Add garnishes
Allow to cool slightly before serving with fresh cilantro to garnish.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Any flavor of Doritos will do for this casserole; feel free to use what you love.
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Ro-tel tomatoes with green chiles is a good substitute for the fire-roasted tomatoes and green chiles if you have it on hand. Just be sure to use a similar quantity to what's called for.
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To increase the heat, add cayenne, raw chiles that match the heat you're looking for, or sub in Flamin' Hot Nacho Doritos for an extra kick.