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A close-up view of a beautifully arranged portion of various casseroles on a light wood board.

15 Delicious Easy Dinner Casseroles, Make Ahead, Freezer Friendly for Busy Weekdays

This hearty casserole combines seasoned ground beef, beans, and cheese for a quick, make-ahead dinner perfect for busy nights.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: dinner
Calories: 650
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

oil
  • 2 tablespoons neutral oil (e.g., canola)
vegetables
  • 1 white onion white onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
meat
  • 1 pound 80/20 ground beef
seasonings
  • 3 tablespoons taco seasoning (homemade or store-bought)
scallions
  • 1 scallion finely diced scallion
canned beans
  • 1 15-ounce can pinto beans
canned tomatoes and chilies
  • 1 10-ounce can RO*TEL Original Diced Tomatoes and Green Chilies
salsa
  • 1 cup thick and chunky salsa
cheese
  • 1.5 cups cheddar cheese (plus more if needed)
chips
  • 1 9-ounce bag Fritos Corn Chips
optional toppings
  • sour cream, pickled jalapenos, diced scallions, shredded lettuce for serving

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Cook onion and garlic in oil until soft, then add beef and cook until browned. Stir in taco seasoning, scallions, beans, rotel, and salsa; simmer 8–10 minutes.
  3. Transfer mixture to a greased 9×13-inch dish. Top with cheese and Fritos, then bake 10 minutes until cheese melts.

Notes

For extra flavor, add more cheese or toppings before serving.