Best 7 Raid The Pantry Shells N Cheese Taco Casserole Recipes

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Calling all pasta and taco lovers! Prepare to tantalize your taste buds with a culinary fusion that brings the best of both worlds: Shells N' Cheese Taco Casserole. This innovative dish is a delightful combination of two classic comfort foods, offering a harmonious blend of flavors and textures that will leave you craving more.

Get ready to embark on a flavor-packed journey as we explore the sensational recipes featured in this article. From the traditional Shells N' Cheese Casserole to its zesty Mexican-inspired cousin, the Taco Casserole, and the ultimate fusion of both worlds, the Shells N' Cheese Taco Casserole, each recipe promises a unique culinary experience.

In the Shells N' Cheese Casserole, tender pasta shells are enveloped in a creamy, cheesy sauce, resulting in a gooey, comforting dish that is perfect for a cozy night in. The Taco Casserole, on the other hand, tantalizes with its savory ground beef, seasoned with a blend of Mexican spices, and layered between crispy tortilla chips and melted cheese.

But the true star of this article is the Shells N' Cheese Taco Casserole, which ingeniously combines the best of both worlds. This recipe starts with a base of seasoned ground beef, layered with a layer of cooked pasta shells. A creamy cheese sauce is then poured over the pasta, followed by a layer of taco sauce and shredded cheese. The casserole is then baked until bubbly and golden brown, creating a delightful fusion of flavors and textures that will have you coming back for seconds.

Whether you're a fan of traditional comfort food or crave a spicy Mexican twist, this article has a recipe that will satisfy your cravings. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and let's dive into the world of Shells N' Cheese Taco Casserole!

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

CHICKEN TORTILLA DUMP DINNER



Chicken Tortilla Dump Dinner image

All your favorite Tex-Mex flavors in a comforting casserole that's fast and easy to throw together.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 55m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 tablespoon canola oil
Two 10-ounce cans diced tomatoes with chiles, such as Rotel
1 cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
One 15.5-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
One 10-ounce bag frozen corn
5 cups shredded cooked chicken (from about 1 small rotisserie chicken)
12 small corn tortillas, cut into quarters
One 8-ounce block Monterey Jack cheese, shredded (about 2 cups)
1/2 cup sour cream
1/3 cup diced red onion
1/3 cup loosely packed fresh cilantro, chopped

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Brush a 9-by-13-inch casserole dish with the oil.
  • Stir together the diced tomatoes with chiles, chicken broth, chili powder, cumin and salt in a large bowl. Add the black beans, frozen corn, chicken, tortilla wedges and half the cheese and stir to evenly distribute and moisten all of the ingredients. Transfer to the prepared casserole dish and spread into an even layer. Loosely cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
  • Raise the oven temperature to 400 degrees F. Remove the foil and sprinkle the top with the remaining cheese. Continue to bake until the cheese is melted and just starting to brown, about 10 minutes. Top with dollops of sour cream and sprinkle with the red onion and cilantro. Serve hot.

TEX-MEX PANTRY CASSEROLE



Tex-Mex Pantry Casserole image

This casserole uses basic pantry staples for a quick weeknight meal. Garnish with sour cream and sliced avocado.

Provided by thedailygourmet

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Casserole Recipes     Vegetable

Time 45m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 12

½ pound ground beef
1 tablespoon butter
½ cup diced onion
2 tablespoons taco seasoning
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 cup chicken broth
½ (15.25 ounce) can corn, drained
½ (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
½ (5.6 ounce) package Spanish rice mix (such as Knorr®)
¼ cup salsa
cooking spray
½ cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir ground beef until browned and crumbly, about 6 minutes. Drain off any grease.
  • Add butter and onion to the skillet. Saute until onion is softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle in taco seasoning and pour in tomato sauce. Stir to combine. Add broth, corn, black beans, Spanish rice mix, and salsa; mix well.
  • Spray a casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray. Pour the beef mixture into the casserole dish. Top with Cheddar cheese.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted and filling is bubbling, about 20 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 411 calories, Carbohydrate 43.4 g, Cholesterol 58.7 mg, Fat 17.7 g, Fiber 6.7 g, Protein 20.8 g, SaturatedFat 8.4 g, Sodium 1776.3 mg, Sugar 7.2 g

TACO CASSEROLE



Taco Casserole image

This Taco Casserole Recipe is loaded with all of your Mexican favorites and topped with Doritos, Fritos, or Tortilla Chips! It's easy to assemble days ahead of time and bake later for an easy dinner!

Provided by Stephanie

Categories     Main Course

Time 40m

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 lb. ground beef (I use 80% lean)
1 small yellow onion (diced)
1 oz. taco seasoning (equivalent to 2 Tablespoons)
16 oz. refried beans
¾ cup sour cream (*see notes)
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
¼ cup black olives (sliced)
¾ cup crunchy toppings such as tortilla chips (Doritos, and/or Fritos)
Green onions ((optional))
1/3 cup lettuce (shredded)
1/3 cup tomatoes (diced)

Steps:

  • Let the sour cream come to room temperature while you prepare the meat. This will prevent it from curdling when baked as it won't be going from cold to hot right away.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Add the ground beef and diced onions to a large pan and cook and crumble over medium heat until the meat is cooked through.
  • Drain excess grease.
  • Add ¾ cup water and taco seasoning.
  • Bring to a boil.
  • Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.
  • Spread the refried beans in an even layer within a casserole dish. (Mine was 9 x 13" but varying sizes are fine.)
  • Spread the sour cream over the refried beans.
  • Top with cooked ground beef mixture, then with cheese.
  • If you're preparing this head of time, let it cool and cover and refrigerate until ready to bake.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 547 kcal, Carbohydrate 24 g, Protein 28 g, Fat 38 g, SaturatedFat 18 g, Cholesterol 108 mg, Sodium 1273 mg, Fiber 5 g, Sugar 5 g, ServingSize 1 serving

SHELLS-N-CHEESE TACO CASSEROLE



Shells-N-Cheese Taco Casserole image

Threw this all together last night and BOY was it good! I even remembered to write everything down as I went along, so now I can share it with all of you! Enjoy!

Provided by Wildflour

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 45m

Yield 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 21

1 1/3 lbs ground beef
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste
garlic powder, to taste
chili powder
cumin
1/2 onion, chopped
1 (1 1/4 ounce) packet taco seasoning mix
1/3 cup picante sauce
2/3 cup water
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can del monte stewed tomatoes, undrained
1 (12 ounce) box velveeta macaroni shells and cheese
3 cups shredded cheddar cheese or 3 cups sargento four-cheese Mexican blend cheese
paprika
1/2 teaspoon oregano
3 cups shredded lettuce
additional shredded cheese
1 cup sour cream
black olives (chopped or sliced)
chopped tomato
jalapeno, rings

Steps:

  • In deep frying pan, cook beef (lightly seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic powder, chili powder and cumin), and onion til done. Drain grease.
  • Stir in taco seasoning, picante sauce, water and stewed tomatoes. Break up tomatoes.
  • Simmer at least 10 minutes til water has evaporated and sauce is thickened. Meanwhile, in saucepan; make shells and cheese according to package directions, using lowest time alotted for cooking of shells.
  • Fold shells and cheese mixture into beef mixture.
  • Pour into greased casserole dish.
  • I used a 1 ½ quart glass baking dish just slightly smaller than my 13x9 one.
  • Top evenly with shredded cheese.
  • Sprinkle cheese with paprika. Sprinkle lightly with oregano using about 1/2 teaspoons.
  • Bake in 350º oven, uncovered for 20 minutes, or til hot .
  • Top each serving with shredded lettuce, more shredded cheese, sour cream, and sprinkle with black olives, chopped tomato and jalapeno rings if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 767.6, Fat 44.2, SaturatedFat 23.9, Cholesterol 152.7, Sodium 1151.5, Carbohydrate 48.1, Fiber 2.5, Sugar 10.3, Protein 44.5

TACO BAKE CASSEROLE



Taco Bake Casserole image

This quick and easy taco bake will satisfy even the most picky eaters. You can modify it to add things you love. It's yummy and so easy to make! Top with tomatoes, lettuce, salsa or whatever you like on your Mexican food.

Provided by Cherie Burgett

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     Latin American     Mexican

Time 52m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 11

cooking spray (such as Pam®)
1 ½ pounds ground beef
1 cup chopped onion
½ cup water
1 (1 ounce) package taco seasoning mix
1 (10 ounce) can refried beans
½ cup salsa
1 (6 ounce) can sliced black olives
1 (4 ounce) can diced green chiles
15 taco shells, broken up, or more to taste
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Spray a 9x13-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
  • Cook ground beef and onions in a skillet over medium heat until beef is browned, 7 to 10 minutes; drain grease. Stir in water and taco seasoning; cook, stirring often, until thickened, about 2 minutes. Add refried beans, salsa, olives, and green chiles. Cook and stir over low heat until ingredients are warmed through, 3 to 4 minutes.
  • Place half of the taco shells in the bottom of the baking dish. Pour in half of the ground beef mixture; sprinkle with half of the Cheddar cheese. Repeat with remaining taco shells, ground beef mixture, and Cheddar cheese.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted and bubbly, 20 to 25 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 360 calories, Carbohydrate 20.6 g, Cholesterol 65 mg, Fat 21.3 g, Fiber 3.1 g, Protein 20.9 g, SaturatedFat 9.1 g, Sodium 790.6 mg, Sugar 2 g

TACO SHELLS AND CHEESE



Taco Shells and Cheese image

Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 30m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 18

Kosher salt
1 pound small pasta shells
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 tablespoons butter
1 pound ground beef
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
One 10-ounce can diced tomatoes and green chiles, such as Rotel
1/2 cup hot water
Freshly ground black pepper
2 cups milk, plus more if needed for thinning
8 ounces processed cheese, such as Velveeta, diced
2 1/2 cups grated Cheddar jack cheese
1 teaspoon dried cilantro
Sour cream and jarred salsa, for serving, optional

Steps:

  • Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
  • Heat the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of the butter in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, crumbling it with a wooden spoon, until browned, 5 to 8 minutes. Stir in the chili powder, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder and paprika. Stir in the diced tomatoes and chiles, hot water, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and bring to a simmer. Cook until the sauce thickens, 2 to 3 minutes, then remove to a bowl (it will still be a little juicy).
  • In the same pan over medium heat, add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and the milk and cook until hot and bubbling. Add the processed cheese and cook, stirring, until melted. Do the same with the Cheddar jack. Pour in the cooked pasta, add the taco meat and stir to combine. Taste and adjust the seasoning, thinning with a splash of milk if needed. Stir in the cilantro.
  • Top each serving with some sour cream and salsa if desired.

"PANTRY RAID" CHICKEN ENCHILADA CASSEROLE



I made this recipe up one night when I had no idea what to do with a pound and a half of chicken tenderloins. It came out so well that my husband and I finished off the leftovers the next day and we are not usually leftover eaters. I am gluten-free so I used gluten-free cornbread mix. You will definitely enjoy it!

Provided by mama411

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     Latin American     Mexican

Time 1h

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
¼ cup water
1 envelope taco seasoning mix
1 ½ tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 pound chicken breast tenderloins
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained
¼ cup cream cheese
1 cup shredded Mexican-style cheese blend, or more to taste
1 (7.5 ounce) package corn bread mix
1 egg
⅓ cup milk

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a 9x9-inch baking dish.
  • Mix tomato sauce, water, taco seasoning mix, and chili powder together in a saucepan; bring to a simmer over medium heat.
  • Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat and brown chicken tenderloins on both sides, about 5 minutes per side. Pour tomato sauce mixture over the chicken, bring to a simmer, and cook over medium-low heat until chicken tenderloins are no longer pink inside, about 8 minutes. Transfer chicken to a bowl and shred; return shredded chicken to the sauce. Mix in black beans and cream cheese until thoroughly combined.
  • Pour chicken mixture into prepared baking dish. Top with shredded Mexican cheese. Whisk corn bread mix, egg, and milk in a bowl, and spoon the batter over the chicken mix.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until the casserole is bubbling and the corn bread topping is browned and set, about 30 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 487 calories, Carbohydrate 45.9 g, Cholesterol 108.3 mg, Fat 19.8 g, Fiber 6.8 g, Protein 31.2 g, SaturatedFat 9.3 g, Sodium 1911.9 mg, Sugar 8.5 g

Tips:

  • Choose the right pasta. Shells are the classic choice for this dish, but you can also use macaroni, penne, or any other short pasta shape.
  • Use a flavorful cheese. A sharp cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese will give your casserole a bold flavor. You can also use a combination of cheeses, such as cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
  • Don't overcook the pasta. The pasta should be cooked al dente, or slightly firm to the bite. This will prevent it from becoming mushy in the casserole.
  • Season the casserole well. Be sure to add plenty of salt, pepper, and garlic powder to the casserole. You can also add other spices, such as chili powder, cumin, or oregano.
  • Top the casserole with a crunchy topping. A layer of crushed tortilla chips or bread crumbs will give your casserole a nice crispy texture.

Conclusion:

This Shells 'n' Cheese Taco Casserole is a quick and easy meal that's perfect for busy weeknights. It's also a great way to use up leftover taco meat. So next time you're looking for a hearty and satisfying casserole, give this recipe a try.

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