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Slow Cooker Taco Casserole as seen on SlowCookerSociety Yummy
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Slow Cooker Taco Casserole

Excuse the pun, but if you're facing a gang of hungry carnivores, you've gotta make a taco bake.
Course Main
Cuisine Mexican
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 hours
Total Time 5 hours 15 minutes
Servings 6 serves
Author Slow Cooker Society

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground turkey or chicken 93 percent lean
  • 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 large diced green bell pepper
  • 1 medium diced yellow onion
  • 1 ½ tsp. kosher salt
  • two tbsp chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 can 15 ounces rinsed and drained reduced-sodium black beans
  • teaspoon to 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper. Use 1/4 for more heat or omit entirely if you are sensitive to spicy foods.
  • 1 can 15 ounces of reduced-sodium pinto beans or kidney beans (I used pinto), rinsed and drained
  • 6 medium taco-sized whole wheat flour tortillas
  • 1 cup carrots grated
  • 2 cans diced tomatoes in juice no salt added (15-ounce cans)
  • 2 cups shredded reduced-fat cheese such as cheddar, pepper jack, or Monterey jack

Instructions

  • In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil. Add the turkey, onion, bell pepper, salt, and pepper once the oil is hot and shimmering. Cook, breaking up the meat, for about 8 minutes, or until the turkey is cooked through and most of the excess liquid has evaporated. Cook until the chili powder, cumin, and cayenne are fragrant about 30 seconds.
  • Combine the black beans, pinto beans, diced tomatoes in their juices, and carrots in a mixing bowl. Cook, occasionally stirring, for about 5 minutes, or until the tomatoes have broken down and most of the liquid has evaporated. Turn off the heat. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Coat a 5-quart or larger slow cooker lightly with nonstick spray. 1 1/2 cups of the turkey-bean mixture, spread evenly on the bottom. Top with 2 tortillas, spreading them out to cover the beans and overlapping them in the center as needed. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup shredded cheese. Layer as follows: 1 1/2 cup beans, 1/2 cup cheese, 2 tortillas, 1 1/2 cup beans, 2 tortillas, 1/2 cup cheese, and remaining beans. Save the remaining 1/2 cup cheese for sprinkling on top.
  • Cook for 4 to 5 hours on low or 2 to 3 hours on high, until heated